After collecting dust for nearly four decades in a forgotten corner of Charley Pride’s Dallas recording studio, the country legend’s unreleased tribute to R&B icon Brook Benton has finally emerged from obscurity. The album, titled “Endlessly: A Tribute to Brook Benton,” was recorded in the 1980s but mysteriously shelved until its multi-track reels were rediscovered in 2017.
A lost musical treasure from Charley Pride’s vault finds new life after decades in the shadows.
The project showcases Pride’s exploration beyond his traditional country roots, venturing into the soulful territory that made Benton famous. Following the discovery, the recordings were carefully transferred to digital audio files in 2021, preparing them for their long-awaited official release by Music City Records in September 2025, coinciding with what would have been Benton’s 94th birthday.
Brook Benton, who died in 1988 at age 56, was renowned for his ability to move fluidly between R&B and country music genres, making him a natural inspiration for Pride. The album features Pride’s rendition of Benton’s 1959 No. 1 R&B hit “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” which later became a country staple recorded by artists like Sonny James and Randy Travis. The first single “Thank You Pretty Baby” was released on August 29, 2025, giving fans their first taste of Pride’s long-lost recordings.
Producer Bob Pickering crafted a sound that blends Pride’s distinctive country vocals with 1980s pop-leaning production styles, creating a unique musical hybrid that stands apart from Pride’s better-known catalog. The potential for sync deals with period films and television shows could introduce Pride’s Benton tribute to entirely new audiences. Sadly, Pride passed away in 2020, making this release a posthumous tribute to both legendary artists. The polished studio techniques characteristic of the era enhance Pride’s surprising vocal versatility as he navigates Benton’s soulful material. Music City Records has partnered with several streaming platforms to ensure the widest possible distribution of this historical release.
The reasons behind the album’s original shelving remain unclear. Music City Records’ general manager described it as simply being “lost in the shuffle,” highlighting how even works by established artists can sometimes fall through the cracks of the music industry.
For fans and music historians alike, this posthumous release offers a rare glimpse into Pride’s artistic explorations beyond the country music that made him famous. The album serves as both a celebration of Benton’s influential career and a reflection of Pride’s willingness to transcend genre boundaries, adding an unexpected new chapter to his musical legacy.
