'I'm so heartbroken': Dolly Parton, Reba, Darius Rucker honor country music trailblazer Charley Pride

Country music's biggest names, celebrities and fans took to social media Saturday to honor Charley Pride, who died at 86.

Pride, who became the genre's first Black superstar with "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin' " and dozens of other hits, died in Dallas on Saturday from complications of COVID-19, according to a news release from Pride's publicist, Jeremy Westby.

Dolly Parton extended her condolences to Pride's friends and family and wrote a touching message on Twitter.

"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.

Darius Rucker dubbed Pride "an icon, a legend and any other word u wanna use for his greatness."

Rucker added in a tweet: "He destroyed Barriers and did things that no one had ever done. But today I’m thinking of my friend. Heaven just got one of the finest people I know. I miss and love u CP!"

Reba McEntire shared a black and white photo of Pride with his guitar, acknowledging that the star "will always be a legend."

"He will truly be missed but will always be remembered for his great music, wonderful personality and his big heart. My thoughts are with his wife Rozene and their family. RIP, Charley," Reba tweeted.

"I can’t imagine what this man went through as a Black Country Music artist trying to break into this business, but what a career he had," Jason Aldean tweeted.

Former President Bill Clinton recalled Pride performing at his first White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony 27 years ago.

"Over the course of his legendary career, Charley Pride moved millions and changed country music forever," Clinton tweeted, adding that he will "always be grateful for his songs and his personal kindness."

"Country Music" documentarian Ken Burns hailed Pride as a trailblazer "whose remarkable voice & generous spirit broke down barriers in country music just as his hero Jackie Robinson had in baseball. His last performance was his hit, 'Kiss an Angel Good Mornin.' ' Now he is one."

"Achy Breaky Heart" star Billy Ray Cyrus shared a photo of himself with Pride and called him "A gentleman ... legend and true trail blazer. With much respect."

Lee Greenwood, known for his song "God Bless the U.S.A.," shared multiple photos of himself with his "dear friend" Pride.

"Charley Pride was a dear friend & truly one of the sweetest men in the music business. I was privileged to be his opening act when I first came to town," Greenwood tweeted. "He treated everyone with respect & kindness. I’m in shock & so sad because I lost a good friend, the music business lost an incredible artist and the world lost an amazing citizen."

Martina McBride wrote: "So saddened to hear about the passing of Charley Pride. Prayers for his wife Rozene and his family."

Luke Combs reflected on the time he met Pride at the Grand Ole Opry.

"I had the pleasure of meeting Charley Pride when I was playing the @opry," Combs wrote. "I was in awe of his presence and his talent. So saddened by the news of his passing. He was a true legend and trailblazer. His impact on our genre and generations of artists will never be forgotten. Rip."

Maren Morris met Pride at the Grand Ole Opry, too.

"Your voice. Your humility," she tweeted. "The fact that the first time I ever visited the Opry, you were backstage holding court and I was trying not to eavesdrop."

Charley Pride dies: Country music legend dies of COVID-19 complications at 86

Contributing: Kim Willis

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charley Pride dead: Dolly Parton, Jason Aldean, Reba pay tribute