Charley Pride to Release First New Album Since 2006

On March 18 -- his 73rd birthday -- country music legend Charley Pride will release his first new studio album since 2006's 'Pride & Joy: A Gospel Music Collection.' The Grand Ole Opry member's latest project is titled 'Choices' and will feature 13 original tracks penned by some familiar country music names, including Eddy Raven and former Lonestar frontman, Richie McDonald. Also reverantly covered are a couple of classic spiritual songs, including the living legend's interpretation of 'Resting Place,' which topped the Gospel music charts in the late 1990s.

One of the most beloved and respected artists around the world, and country music's first African-American superstar, Charley's golden baritone has sold over 70 million records worldwide since he was signed to RCA in 1966 by then record producer, Chet Atkins. In 1971, he released what would become his signature song, 'Kiss An Angel Good Mornin' ... a million-selling crossover hit.

Known ever since as the 'Pride of Country Music,' Charley accepted a long-standing invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry on May 1, 1993, 26 years after he first played there as a guest ... the first African-American in its over-70-year history. In June 1994, he was honored by the Academy Of Country Music with its prestigious Pioneer Award, and in July 1999 received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The following year, on October 4, 2000, the Mississipi native -- who was born one of eleven children to poor sharecroppers -- wept when Brenda Lee announced his name, inducting him into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Charley resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Rozene, to whom he's been married since 1956. A lifelong, passionate fan of baseball, the singer is part owner of the Texas Rangers, and has an annual tradition of joining the team for workouts during Spring Training. In 2010, Charley sang the National Anthem before game five of the World Series, played between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants.

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