Charley Pride's Lost 1980s Tribute Album to Brook Benton Debuts After Decades

In the mid-1980s, when country music icon Charley Pride was between record contracts, he decided to pay tribute to his musical influence, R&B singer Brook Benton. Pride gathered an all-star cast of Dallas-area musicians and recorded a series of Benton's songs, intending to create a tribute album. However, the project was never released and the recordings sat in storage for over three decades.

Last month, in October 2022, the collection titled "Endlessly: A Tribute to Brook Benton" finally saw its worldwide release. The 10-track album features Pride's distinctive vocals covering many of Benton's early career hits, including "It's Just a Matter of Time," "Thank You Pretty Baby," and the title track "Endlessly." According to Pride's widow, Rozene, the country star loved Benton's music for its lyrical clarity and the way it allowed his vocals to shine.

The album showcases Pride's versatility as he ventures into 1980s pop and R&B stylings to honor his musical hero. Produced by Bob Pickering, the recordings feature a string section and saxophone, creating a timeless sound that differs from Pride's classic country output. The Dallas-based studio musicians who contributed to the project had extensive experience in the local jingle and advertising industry, lending an intangible quality to the recordings.

After nearly 40 years, the long-lost tribute album is finally available, serving as a testament to Charley Pride's diverse musical talents and his enduring admiration for the legendary Brook Benton.