Introduction
In October 2009, friends of Canadian country legend Dick Damron gathered at a special tribute concert to celebrate his fifty-year journey in music, and that’s when Charley Pride stepped into the spotlight with a gospel classic that still gives me chills. As Pride’s warm baritone filled the room, he sang “Jesus, It’s Me Again” in honor of Damron’s influence and resilience, reminding everyone why we turn to music in moments of love and gratitude.
Dick Damron, born Joseph Glenn Damron in Bentley, Alberta, began his career in the early 1950s and went on to record more than 25 albums across country, rockabilly, honky-tonk, and gospel styles. Over six decades he earned accolades as a songwriter and performer, including induction into the International Country Music Hall of Fame. His willingness to blend genres paved the way for moments like this tribute—a celebration not just of hits, but of a spirit that never stopped evolving.
The song itself, “Jesus, It’s Me Again,” first appeared on Damron’s 2008 album The Big Picture, a deeply personal project that showcased his gift for writing heartfelt gospel songs. That recording—rich with acoustic guitar and Damron’s earthy vocals—set the stage for Pride’s later rendition, making the lyrics feel like a direct conversation with the heart.
Charley Pride, who emerged as country music’s first Black superstar, included his own version of “Jesus, It’s Me Again” on his 2006 set Pride and Joy: A Gospel Music Collection. Pride’s smooth tone and sincere delivery brought fresh warmth to Damron’s words, underlining his lifelong love for gospel traditions even amid his chart-topping country career.
When Pride began, you could feel the audience lean in, as if the walls themselves were listening. His delivery was intimate—every phrase a blend of faith, friendship, and respect. Watching him honor Damron that night is a reminder that music can bridge generations, carry stories of perseverance, and lift us toward something greater than ourselves.
I still get goosebumps thinking about that moment—how a simple song can become a shared heartbeat, binding artist and audience in a spirit of hope. If you’ve ever wondered why we keep turning back to these old hymns, that tribute concert is your answer: it’s not just nostalgia, it’s a living testament to music’s power to heal, comfort, and unite us all.