After announcing the death of country music icon Charley Pride due to complications from COVID on Saturday, some people raised concerns and speculated about the Country Music Association’s (CMA) coronavirus protocols after the singer recently appeared at the 2020 awards ceremony.
The CMA awards were held in front of a live, socially distant audience at the Music City Center in Nashville on Nov. 11, in contrast to other music awards ceremonies produced during the pandemic, which chose not to live.
Although the association required a quick test for those present and the tables were distributed to comply with the city’s COVID-19 guidelines, face masks were reportedly not in effect for members of the audience.
Pride, 86, died on Saturday of complications from COVID-19. Public relations firm 2911 Media, representing Pride, confirmed the death of the rural singer in a statement.
His death occurred a month after he received a lifetime achievement award from the CMA. Pride was the first black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Some artists were worried about the event’s coronavirus protocols after the star passed.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images / Getty
“I don’t want to draw any conclusions because no family statement was made, but if it was a consequence of the CMAs being inside, we should all be outraged,” wrote Maren Morris, the singer-songwriter, in her tweet that has since been deleted. – Relax in power, Charley.
Singer Brandi Carlile shared Morris ’concerns.
“Honestly, you’re right that you take note of what everyone is curious about, and as usual, YOU can lose a lot to ask the question,” Carlile tweeted on Saturday. “Thank you for being human. Whether you got there or not, you were compromised and it could be easy.
“She was quietly disturbed for weeks,” Carlile continued.
Honestly, you’re right about acknowledging what everyone is curious about and having to lose a lot in the usual way to ask the question. Thank you for being human. Whether he got there or not – they were endangered and it could have been easy. He was quietly disturbed for weeks
– Brandi Carlile (@brandicarlile) December 13, 2020
Country singer Mickey Guyton also commented on Twitter after Pride’s death:
We need answers about how Charley Pride became a coward.
– Mickey Guyton (@MickeyGuyton) December 12, 2020
Representatives of the CMAs and Pride issued a statement on Saturday detailing the COVID protocols introduced by the association for awarding.
“Everyone who joined the CMA Awards followed strict testing protocols outlined by the city health department and unions,” the statement said.
“Charley was tested before his trip to Nashville. He was tested in Nashville on landing and again on show day, all tests were negative. After returning to Texas after the CMA Awards, Charley again gave negative results several times.” he continued. “We’re all heartbroken in the Country Music community about Charley’s passing.”
Dolly Parton was among the many celebrities and fans who lamented the loss of the Pride.
“I’m so heartbreaking that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, is dead,” Parton tweeted on Saturday. “It’s even worse to know he died of COVID-19. What a terrible, horrible virus. Charley, we’ll always love it.”
I am so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. Even worse to know that he died of COVID-19. What a terrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you. (1/2)
– Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) December 12, 2020
Pride management did not respond Newsweek’s request for timely publication.
