During the turbulent civil rights era, Charley Pride overcame issues of poverty and race to become country music's first and only black superstar. Born a Mississippi sharecropper's son, he dreamed of becoming a major league baseball player to escape the cotton fields but only made it as far as the Negro American League. When he turned to music in the mid-1960s, Pride launched a recording career that would span 40 years with sales of more than 70 million albums. On RCA Records, he is second only to Elvis Presley. On his way to 29 No. 1 hits with songs like ""Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone"" and ""Kiss an Angel Good Morning,"" Pride dealt with racism, survived a mid-air collision and fought his own battle with manic depression.
Johnny Cash's deep resonant voice and the depths of human emotion that his music evokes made him the quintessential country music legend -- a rare performer whose music transcends time and musical genres. Here, the American icon explores his uncommon life and celebrated career in a special 90-minute episode of CMT Inside Fame. Also featured in the in-depth profile are Cash's wife of 35 years, June Carter Cash, daughter Rosanne Cash and brother Tommy Cash. Other interviews include Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Rodney Crowell, Wynonna, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels and Sheryl Crow.
Tammy Wynette's dramatic personal life -- fraught with five complicated marriages, nearly 30 serious operations, chronic addiction to painkillers and an unsolved kidnapping -- often threatened to overwhelm her career. But through it all, her talent overcame each obstacle. For more than 30 years, Wynette's music chronicled the classic themes of loneliness and the search for love. These were themes she knew and understood all too well. Her journey to fame included all the usual trappings of one who has achieved the pinnacle of success -- Grammys, three CMA awards for female vocalist, command performances for five Presidents and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wynette died in her sleep in 1998 at the age of 55. Her untimely death opened a debate that continues to this day, despite autopsy findings. Here, Wynette's family and friends reflect on the life and career of the country music legend. Interviews include Wynette's daughters Jackie Daly and Georgette Jones, former husbands George Jones and George Richey, as well as Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Lorrie Morgan and Sheryl Crow.
He's the king of country cool, a lethal combination of style, mystery, talent and skintight jeans. Dwight Yoakam's hardcore honky-tonk music was once rejected as too country for country music, so he took refuge in the West Coast cowpunk scene. After firmly establishing himself as a country music star, he took on Hollywood roles that would define him as not only a musician but as an acclaimed actor. Here, Yoakam opens up about his journey to fame, his private life and his fearless career. Other interviews include Shania Twain, Merle Haggard, Marty Stuart, Wynonna, Terri Clark and model Karen Duffy.