Country star Alan Jackson will receive the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award in November.

The Grand Ole Opry, country music's most historic and storied stage, is getting heavy criticism for an appearance by troubled country star Morgan Wallen.

Just days before the CMA Awards, artists, academics and historians gathered in Nashville to address racial representation within the genre.

Drummer Kenny Malone, an in-demand session player who played on hits by Dolly Parton, Dobie Gray and more, has died.

Country music star Jimmie Allen has been selected to sing the national anthem before the Indianapolis 500.

Brandi Carlile performs during the "In Memoriam" section of the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)LOS ANGELES – Brandi Carlile paid tribute to John Prine, Bruno Mars celebrated Little Richard and Lionel Richie honored Kenny Rogers during an in memoriam segment on Sunday night's Grammy Awards that featured an especially long list of names after a year of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier Sunday, Prine won two posthumous Grammys for best American roots song and best American roots performance, a year after receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys. Carlile told The Associated Press that it didn't bother her to be performing without an audience at the pandemic-restricted Grammys because "this time I’m just performing for John Prine. Corea, who died of a rare form of cancer at age 79, won the trophy for best improvised jazz solo and best jazz instrumental album.

FILE - In this June 12, 2014 file photo, Jim Weatherly speaks at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards in New York. Weatherly, who wrote hit songs like Midnight Train to Georgia," has died. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Hall of Fame songwriter Jim Weatherly, who wrote “Midnight Train to Georgia" and other hits for Gladys Knight, Glen Campbell and Ray Price, has died. Gladys Knight & The Pips won Grammy Awards for their performances of “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of Us” in 1974. AdWeatherly, a Mississippi native, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006 and the national Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.

And he did it by winning over millions of country music fans. Until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label. “Then it was ‘first Negro country singer;’ then ‘first Black country singer.’ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. Throughout his career, he sang positive songs instead of sad ones often associated with country music. Even a country singer,” said country singer Rissi Palmer on Twitter.

“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. Other Black country stars came before Pride, namely DeFord Bailey, who was an Grand Ole Opry member between 1927 and 1941. But until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label. “Then it was `first Negro country singer;’ then `first black country singer.′ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. “The Texas Rangers join the country music world in mourning the loss of Charley Pride.

“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. 1 hits between 1969 and 1984, won the Country Music Association’s Top Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. But until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label. “Then it was `first Negro country singer;’ then `first black country singer.′ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. “The Texas Rangers join the country music world in mourning the loss of Charley Pride.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trailblazing country music star Charley Pride will get a lifetime achievement award at the CMA Awards in November. 1 hits between the 1960s and 1980s, with songs like “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'” and “Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone.”Pride, 82, will accept the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award on the CMA Awards on Nov. 11 on ABC. Pride was named CMA Entertainer of the year in 1971 and won male artist of the year in 1971 and 1972. He has three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Other recipients of the award include Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country stars Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker are promising laughs and good music when they co-host this year's CMA Awards in November. McEntire, a Country Music Hall of Famer and veteran host of country music awards shows, returns after hosting last year with Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton. Pride was the first Black country artist to co-host the awards show, in 1975 with Glen Campbell. And to be here 14 years later hosting with Reba freaking McEntire? Although the pandemic may change some behind-the-scenes production, McEntire promised she would keep up her awards show tradition of multiple outfit changes throughout the broadcast.

Texas Rangers starter Lance Lynn (35) throws the first pitch of an opening day baseball game to Colorado Rockies' David Dahl as Rangers' Robinson Chirinos catches and home plate umpire Jim Reynolds looks on Friday, July 24, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The pitch was the first ever in a regular season game at Globe Life Field, the Rangers' new ballpark. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)ARLINGTON, Texas Lance Lynn struck out nine in six sharp innings and the Texas Rangers inaugurated their new retractable-roof stadium with a 1-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. A LONG WAYRockies All-Star shortstop Trevor Story, who is from nearby Irving, Texas, hit a deep drive to the left-center gap with one on in the eighth inning. SOME SPECTATORSRockies rookie LF Sam Hilliards father, diagnosed two years ago with ALS, was able to attend his sons first MLB opening day.

This combination of photos shows country singer Rissi Palmer, from left, Chuck Harmony, left, and Claude Kelly of Louis York and country rapper Breland. Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. The genre has historically been marketed to white audiences and reinforced white male artist stereotypes. (Chris Charles via AP, left, Jeremy Ryan via AP, center and Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)

Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. I was called colored, like, I didnt know colored people like country music, said Palmer, who had three singles reach the Hot Country Songs Chart. Both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association started diversity task forces more than a year ago when country music was being criticized for a lack of female voices and women were being left out of major categories like entertainer of the year. But just as country artists outwardly reflect a predominantly white image, there are few Black country music executives working behind the scenes. Theres a dismantling of culture that needs to happen.Palmer, who is recording a podcast that focuses on the experiences of women of color in country music, said she feels optimistic that the current discussions about race and country music can lead to progress, if real changes are implemented.

Black music artists don't receive the recognition they deserve, but their barrier-breaking contributions should not be ignored. Were it not for the sacrifices of black artists, music would not be what it is today. From paving the way for future recording artists, to creating new genres, black artists have made countless contributions to the musical landscape. In honor of Black Music Month, check out some of the black music luminaries who made history. He is also the first black country artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, yet he's not alone in trailblazing a path for future generations.