Don't fiddle with Daniels' pride

Don't fiddle with Daniels' pride | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati.Com:

"Don't fiddle with Daniels' pride
Concert preview

By Chris Varias • chrisvarias@gmail.com • July 4, 2008
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With his snow-white beard and healthy frame, Charlie Daniels could be mistaken for Kris Kringle if he wore the red-velvet get-up. But the jolly old fiddler, who became a country-rock superstar with the 1979 crossover hit 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia,' is more of an Uncle Sam type of guy.
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Daniels says he doesn't mind working on Independence Day, when his Volunteer Jam traveling show with .38 Special and Shooter Jennings rolls in to Blue Ash.

'The Fourth of July has always evoked some thoughts, if you take the time to do it. I wonder sometimes if some people even know what it is and what it means. It's a day that we declared our independence and became one nation under God of free people. It's the day when the American dream was born. I am thankful to the people who fought and died and shed blood to protect our rights.'

Daniels talked about some recent events in his career, including his most recent album of duets with the likes of Brad Paisley (coming to Riverbend next Friday), Dolly Parton and Darius Rucker, and his induction to the Grand Ole Opry.

Question: On your latest record, "Deuces," there's a couple of tunes written by Bob Dylan, whom you did session work for on records like "Nashville Skyline" and "New Morning." He's somebody who started as a protest singer, but now he steers clear of the finger-pointing songs. On the other hand, you don't shy away from mixing politics and music. Do you have any thoughts on the different approaches?

Answer: One time we did a song called "Three Angels," and we were sitting there listening to the playback, and Dylan said, "I wrote that about three angels they put on a church across the street from where I was living, and they lit them up at Christmastime." When the album came out, some guy wrote this thing about Dylan's insight into humanity with the three angels and all this stuff, and I thought, "Man, he wrote it about Christmas decorations." That's the point about Dylan, with somebody like that who's so unique with words, you don't really know. Of course some of the stuff was protest stuff. He was kind of the father of it, the intellectual side of it anyway. My stuff, I don't look at it as political. I just look at it as being patriotic, as far as "In America" or "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag."

Q: You have some bluegrass players on your latest CD. I've never thought of you as a bluegrass musician, even though you're country music's most famous fiddler. Where does bluegrass figure into what you do?

A: It's the first music I ever played. I was a bluegrasser before anything else. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were on the radio at the time in Raleigh, N.C., and we just idolized them. We couldn't be the Foggy Mountain Boys (the name of Flatt and Scruggs' band), so we were the Misty Mountain Boys. I cut my teeth on bluegrass.

Q: Why did you get out of bluegrass?

A: I got fascinated about the time rock started happening with Elvis and Carl Perkins, where someone who played guitar could now play rock music. The first rock song I ever did was "Tutti Frutti." I'd go to fiddler conventions and sing it with a bluegrass band. I started heading in that direction. I got an electric guitar and here we went.

Q: What did it mean to you to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry?

A: It's absolutely wonderful. They've always been good to us. We could always go to the Opry and play when we were in town. But it's not the same. It creates a different feeling (to be inducted). I've been an admirer of the Opry for so long. It's the first radio show I can remember listening to as a kid. It's kind of hard to articulate, but suffice it to say it's a tremendous honor.

Charlie went back to Topeka. Cause it rained the first time.

CJOnline - Daniels to return to Stampede on Sunday: "Daniels to return to Stampede on Sunday
Music legend to make up concert rained out Thursday night
By Bill Blankenship
The Capital-Journal
Published Friday, June 27, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. CDT

MANHATTAN — Charlie Daniels isn’t the sort of guy who lets a Kansas thunderstorm push him around. Heck, the guy took on a devil in Georgia.
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The American music legend who was prevented by bad weather from taking the stage Thursday night on the opening night of the Country Stampede will return for a makeup show Sunday.

The festival’s official radio station, 94.5 Country, just announced The Charlie Daniels Band will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday on the main stage. The acts before him will shorten their sets by a few minutes each to accommodate Daniels.

The 71-year-old Daniels has reached iconic status in American music. He has released 50 albums, and his projects have encompassed a variety of genres, from blues to Southern rock to country to bluegrass.

Daniels won a Grammy Award in 1979 for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” his best known song.

Last fall, Kansas-born country star Martina McBride joined Daniels on the stage of Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium to invite him to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, in which he was inducted Jan. 19.

Bill Blankenship can be reached at (785) 29"

Twin Pines Twins - Fillies, that is

Mid South Horse Review



Colorful Twins Make Their Debut


Charlie Daniels and his wife Hazel proudly show off the two newest additions to the Twin Pines Ranch—twin Paint fillies. Photo courtesy of Twin Pines Ranch.

At Charlie Daniels’ Twin Pines Ranch

After devoting more than 25 years to raising quality Paints and advancing the American Paint Horse breed, country- rock legend Charlie Daniels recently received the prize of a lifetime at his Twin Pines Rancha set of healthy, twin Paint fillies.

The now spunky and vivacious twins, sired by ranch stallion HLF Smokin Ace and out of Ms Paseos County AQHA, were born in the fields of the Lebanon, Tenn., ranch during the morning hours of April 23.

According to the American Paint Horse Associations (APHAs) database, which contains the names of nearly 1 million American Paint Horses, only 323 twins have been registered by the association since its inception in 1962.

While it is unusual for a mare to give birth to twins and even more rare for both foals to be healthy, the twins known as Okie and Rose around the ranch seem to be like any normal young Paints.

The health and vitality of the foals can be attributed to Twin Pines Ranch Manager Thurman Mullins, who has been caring for them around the clock. When the twin Paints were first born, Mullins, like any dedicated horse owner, was concerned that they would be weak and unhealthy.

We were real tickled when we first realized we had twin Paint foals, said Mullins. Then all the negatives Ive heard about twin foals started jumping around in my head, but so far we have been very blessed.

Since their birth, the twins have been under the constant supervision of either Mullins or two of the other long-time ranch hands, Leroy Crawford and his son Derrick. One of his main priorities has been making sure each foal receives enough milk from the dam and that she accepts both foals. When Mullins observed that one of the foals was starting to look weaker than the other during their first week, he decided to step in. Through careful observation, a little innovation and a lot of patience, he bottle-fed the healthier foal to distract her from her mother, allowing the weaker foal to drink the mares milk. Its been that kind of dedication and intuitiveness over the past several decades as a breeder and rancher that have earned Mullins the steadfast respect of Charlie Daniels.

Within a week I discontinued the bottle and then I felt comfortable enough to ask Charlie [Daniels] what we were going to name them, said Mullins.

All in the name

As the foals continue to grow and get stronger, and the crew at Twins Pines Ranch is busy caring for and registering the many foals being born at the ranch. Because the twins are a special addition to the ranch, Daniels has decided to register the fillies as Twin Pines Okie and Twin Pines Rose for his wife, Hazel.

But Hazel doesnt know it yet, said Mullins. Shes from Oklahoma and loves to be outside gardening so Charlie decided he wanted to name Okie and Rose after the volcanic rock formations in Oklahoma known as Okie Roses.

With such special names and being the first twins born at Twin Pines, the ranch doesnt anticipate selling them anytime soon.

Ambassadors for the breed

Ever since the beginning of Twin Pines Ranch nearly 30 years ago, Daniels has wanted one thinga working operation. He has always said, Ive got friends who have cows theyve never seen and horses theyve never sat on. I want cows I can work and horses I can ride.

With that philosophy in mind, Twin Pines became the first breeder of Corriente cattle east of the Mississippi and has owned Paint Horses from the start. In fact, one of Daniels all-time favorite horses and the reason his ranch continues to own Paint Horses is Rialtos Lady, whose dam was one of the first registered American Paint Horses.

Daniels is a well-known ambassador for APHA and has been involved in a myriad of community outreach projects over the years, mostly centered on helping children. He has donated many prized Paint foals to help raise additional funds for a variety of causes and has even gone so far as helping pay for the new owners APHA membership fees and registration transfer fee.

Two years ago, APHA awarded Daniels its Legendary Achievement Award for his work over the past 25 years in breeding American Paint Horses and spotlighting their beauty, versatility and athletic talents. APHA also issued him a lifetime membership certificate.

A modest Daniels said it ranked among his top honors. That put APHA in prestigious company, considering Daniels was recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and owns a long list of awards and honors from the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music.

Now the twins of Twin Pines become part of Daniels colorful legacy.

As Charlie would say himself, the reason he has all these Paints is simply because he likes driving from his house to the road, looking out into the pasture and -seeing all the color, said Mullins.

Daniels Says He Still Has Much to Do in Music

From Redorbit

Daniels Says He Still Has Much to Do in Music
Posted on: Friday, 23 May 2008, 15:00 CDT

By Nathalie Baret For the Journal

"People ask me what fires me up after all these years," Charlie Daniels said in a phone interview from Myrtle Beach, S.C. "I tell them I sincerely love doing what I do for a living. It's exhilarating to me. It's in my blood. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

At 72, Daniels seems remarkably at peace. With 50 years of being in the music business, his checklist includes scoring hits like "Uneasy Rider" and the unforgettable "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," earning gold and platinum records that he keeps tucked away in his basement, and a trophy case full of Grammy, Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music and Gospel Music Association awards that are on display in his very own downtown Nashville museum.

There's more: Add two books he's written, one of essays, the other of short stories, and a third that credits him as editor on "Growing Up Country," a book of dissertations by musicians, celebrities and Southern politicians. He's the voice behind the "Road Dog" truckers channel on Sirius Satellite radio, he's listed in the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, and for those who didn't know, he recorded a children's album titled "By the Light of the Moon: Campfire Songs and Cowboy Tunes."

Are there more hills to climb?

"Sure," said Daniels. "I'd love to do something with B.B. King. I'm a big blues fan of his work. But I'm still working on my first hill -- I want every album to go platinum and every show sold out. I haven't got to that yet, but it's on my wish list."

The legendary entertainer may have some wishes left to fulfill, but on the flip side, he's been blessed with some unexpected, stellar career highlights. His most recent addition was on Jan. 19, when his lifelong dream came true.

During last year's "Christmas for Kids" show, an annual benefit that Daniels hosts to raise money for underprivileged children "so that kids can get on buses and go to large retail areas and go shopping," the singer/ songwriter received a sweet surprise from country star Martina McBride.

"Martina comes out during the show and announces, 'Thanks for doing these shows. Now it's time to make a wish come true for you, too,' " he said. "To be honest, I had no idea what was going on until she actually said that I was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I was at a loss for words, which isn't an ordinary state of affairs for me because I'm very seldom like that. But I was that night. I've seen the tape of it, how I reacted at the time, and it was like this unconscious, 'Wow!' "

The fleet-fingered guitarist and fiddle player has had several more surprises surface during the last five decades. One timeless moment includes "It Hurts Me," a song he co-wrote that was picked in 1964 to be the B side of a record by one of his all-time heroes.

"I didn't know Elvis Presley was going to use it," Daniels said. "I grew up cutting my teeth on WSM, a 50,000-watt radio station out of Nashville that played his music and aired the Opry shows. I was a big fan of his. So when a friend of mine and I wrote that song and submitted it, we really had no idea he was going to record it."

Spurred by the success of that track, Daniels moved to middle Tennessee to do session work. His guitar playing, which to some producers was considered too loud, appealed to Bob Dylan, who welcomed Daniels' eclectic, independent style and hired him to play on three of his LPs: "Nashville Skyline,""New Morning" and "Self Portrait."

Gretchen Wilson Receives GED From Charlie Daniels

From CMT: May 16, 2008

Gretchen Wilson received her GED certificate, the equivalent to a high school diploma, from Charlie Daniels on Thursday night (May 15) at First Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tenn. Wilson, who dropped out of school in the ninth grade, passed the test in April. She is expected to release her fourth album later this year. Near the beginning of his address, Daniels declared, "Gretchen Wilson, I am so proud of you." Wilson famously referenced Daniels in the lyrics of her breakout debut single, "Redneck Woman."

Charlie Daniels Goes to College

News : Headlines : Charlie Daniels Goes to College : Great American Country:

April 15, 2008 - Charlie Daniels once gave Satan a figurative lesson or two in the storyline of 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia.' Now Charlie's in line to be honored by an educational institution.
Cumberland University, in Lebanon, Tenn., plans to present Charlie and his wife, Hazel, with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award during the college's commencement ceremony May 3. The award, named for a Southerner noted for his philanthropy during the 1800s, recognizes the recipient for work on behalf of the community.
'Charlie and Hazel Daniels have always championed service above self and have led truly inspiring lives,' Cumberland President Harvill Eaton said.
'It is a very special thing to be honored by your friends and neighbors,' Charlie countered.
It's something that's become familiar to Charlie in the past few months. He was added to the Grand Ole Opry earlier this year, Country Radio Broadcasters presented him a Career Achievement Award, and the State of Tennessee gave him a certificate of merit during a party celebrating his 50th anniversary in the music business."

Music Row Celebrates Charlie Daniels' 50-Year Career

Music Row Celebrates Charlie Daniels' 50-Year Career
Bandleader Still Thriving as an Independent Act
By: Edward Morris

Courtesy CMT

A beaming and grateful Charlie Daniels basked in the adulation of friends, fans and business associates at a party held Wednesday (March 19) at BMI's Nashville headquarters to celebrate the bandleader's 50th anniversary in the music business."I have had a wonderful time in the last 50 years," Daniels told the crowd, "and I'm ready to do another 50." The North Carolina native began performing professionally in 1958 in a band called the Rockets.

Jody Williams, BMI's vice president of writer-publisher relations, led a parade of well-wishers who came forward to stand beside Daniels and recite some of his more notable achievements. Also accompanying the guest of honor were his wife, Hazel, and son, Charlie Jr.Williams noted that "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," probably Daniels' best-known work, has been broadcast more than 4 million times. "Charlie helped create the Southern rock genre," Williams continued. "The West Coast had Jerry Garcia [of the Grateful Dead]. We have Charlie Daniels. ... Charlie's a bridge from the past to present."

Williams cited the long series of Volunteer Jam concerts Daniels has presided over since launching them in 1974, noting that they brought together artists of all musical stripes, including such luminaries as B.B. King, Don Henley, Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Ted Nugent, Little Richard, James Brown and Willie Nelson.

A representative from the William Morris Agency pointed out that during the 21 years the company has booked Daniels' personal appearances, he has played 3,000 concerts for a combined audience of 5 million people and, in the process, grossed $60 million.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen sent his congratulations, and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, delivered his in person. Maj. Gen. Gus Hargett, Tennessee's adjutant general, praised Daniels for his longstanding support of the military. "If there's a patriot in our state," he said, "it's Charlie."Publicist Cathy Gurley, who represents the Spirit of America tour of stateside military installations, read a letter from President and Mrs. George W. Bush in praise of the Charlie Daniels Band's continued involvement in the program.

Williams presented Daniels a watch from the widow of Toy Caldwell, a founder of the Marshall Tucker Band and Daniels' long-time friend. It carried the inscription, "To Charlie in loving memory of Toy. I love you. Abbie Caldwell."

David Corlew, Daniels' manager and friend of 35 years, reminded the guests that Daniels initiated the now-common practice of making his albums available through an exclusive source when he signed such a deal 11 years ago with Wal-Mart. (Ricky Van Shelton made a similar agreement with Wal-Mart the same year.) Garth Brooks and the Eagles later followed suit. Corlew said Daniels sold 100,000 albums in nine months via that association.

Altogether, Corlew stated, Daniels has sold more than 800,000 albums as an independent artist. Copies of Deuces, the Charlie Daniels Band's latest album, were on display for guests to pick up on their way out.

Reporters packed a BMI conference room before the party started to have a few words with Daniels. Unlike most artists, he arrived early for the press conference and walked around the room to greet each reporter individually.Asked how he would advise younger artists who aspire to be around as long as he's been, Daniels said, "First of all, you make sure it's what you want to do ... and you've got to be where there is a music business.

"Raised in rural North Carolina, Daniels said he was 15 years old before he saw a picture on a TV screen. His link to the outside world, he explained, was through radio, and he remembered the first show he listened to was the Grand Ole Opry. He made his first visit to the Opry in 1954, first played on the program with Earl Scruggs' band and finally became a member this year. "I'm still in awe of that great institution," he said.

Daniels contrasted the music business today and what it was like when he came into it. He pointed out that he was in his 40s when he signed with Epic Records and began having his greatest chart successes. He said his first contract with Epic called for six albums, but that today's artists have to score hits immediately to stay on a label.

Being a bandleader means trusting your players' musicianship and instincts, Daniels said. "I don't tell people what to play," he explained. "I want you to do what you do." The biggest changes in the music business he's noted over the years, he said, have been in recording technology and travel. "The roads have improved a lot," he said. "You can get there faster."

Daniels said his greatest cause for satisfaction is that he's kept more than 25 people "gainfully employed" over the past 25 or 30 years. As to who's hot and who's not on the charts these days, he confessed, "I can't even tell you one song out of the Top 10 in any field of music."

View photos from the tribute to Charlie Daniels.