Bonnie Raitt is another example -- she can sing the blues with as much authority and conviction as anyone. And as far as blacks singing country, Charlie Pride isn't the only example. Anyone ever hear "Maybelline" by Chuck Berry? It's a country song, as he himself acknowledges.

I think people go off the track when they consciously try to "sound black" for the sake of somebody's notion of authenticity. Sing anything you want, in your own voice, and it's just as authentic and legitimate as what anyone else is doing, no matter what color they are. It's pretending to be what you're not that makes you a phony.