Charley Pride bronze unveiled at Ryman Icon Walk

Opry superstar Charley Pride honored with new statue

By Preshias Harris

Charley Pride, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe and Little Jimmy Dickens are together again at the Ryman Auditorium.

In a special outdoor ceremony April 13, the new life-size bronze statue of Charley Pride was unveiled to join those of Lynn, Monroe and Dickens previously positioned at the Ryman Auditorium’s Icon Walk. Artist and sculptor Ben Watts created all four of the bronze likenesses now at the location.

Pictured L-R: Colin V. Reed, Executive Chairman, Ryman Hospitality Properties; Hortense Ransom, Head of Operations, CECCA Productions; Rozene Pride; Ben Watts, sculptor; Dion Pride; Dennis Quaid. Photo credit: Catherine Powell

Charley Pride’s widow Rozene and his son Dion Pride were joined at the unveiling by friends and colleagues from the world of music, along with local dignitaries and fans.

During her introductory remarks, Gina Keltner, Director of Opry Talent Scheduling & Logistics at Grand Ole Opry, noted that the concept for the Icon Walk began in 2015 as the vision of Ryman Hospitality Properties Executive Chairman Colin Reed.

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