Jimmie Allen Remembers Charley Pride: 'We Lost A Legend'

Jimmie Allen is remembering the late Charley Pride, who died on Saturday (December 12) at the age of 86 due to complications from COVID-19. Allen, who performed with Pride last month during the CMA Awards, turned to his Instagram Story to pay tribute to the country icon.

"Sometimes we will never understand why certain things happen," he wrote. "Through the pain we fight to hold onto the memories that were made. Do I always agree with you things God allows to take place... hell no, but I trust through the pain of loss that he has a plan of healing and unity."

"Today is rough," he added, alongside a crying emoji and a broken heart emoji.

The "Best Shot" singer also posted a video on Instagram in which he explains his feelings after having "lost a legend."

"Rest Is Love Mr Pride ✊🏽♠️," he wrote in the caption.

Pride's final performance was on November 11 when he was given the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2020 CMA Awards in Nashville. After receiving the award, the country legend was joined by Allen to sing a duet to "Kiss An Angel Good Morning."

"It was just super special to me to be able to present that award to him," Allen said in a video tribute. "To be on stage with a legend. The world is gonna miss him. I'm gonna miss him. His family is missing him."

"I hope through this, people that didn't know about Charley Pride and who he was or what he did, I hope they get to know him through his music, through his life," he continued. "There's just so many life lessons that you can take from his life and apply to your own. I just hope we learn that there's nothing that you can't do. Because he showed us that we can."

Following the news of Pride's death, many country artists including Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, and more turned to social media to remember Pride's impact on country music.

"I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you," Parton wrote on Twitter, adding, "Rest In Peace. My love and thoughts go out to his family and all of his fans."

Paisley turned to Instagram to recall a special moment he shared with Pride as a teenager. "The most generous, kind, trailblazing man has left us," Paisley wrote alongside a photo of him playing guitar next to Pride. "I met Charley Pride when I was 15. He gave his home phone number to my dad, and said 'I’d love to help your son.' And help he did. I am so blessed to have had so many memories with him. I’m devastated."

He added, "You changed country music for the better, Charley. And you changed this kid’s life. We love you."

Photo: Getty Images