Charlie's soapbox: Different Strokes

Click here to read Charlie's own account of the stroke he suffered on January 15th:

http://www.charliedanielssoapbox.com/view_topic.php?id=8835&forum_id=4

Not good news: Charlie suffers stroke

Despite the condition, the country legend will not cancel any shows.
John Hall
Charlie Daniels suffered a mild stroke this past Friday while snowboarding* in Colorado. The country music star noticed his left hand getting numb after getting off his snowmobile. When the left side of his face began growing numb as well, he quickly descended the mountain to check into Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango.

By the time Daniels had checked in to Mercy Regional, he had lost so much coordination he had to be escorted in by wheelchair.

After initial treatments to loosen the blood clot, Daniels was airlifted to the Swedish Medical Center in Denver where tests confirmed that he had a stroke. He was released last Sunday.

Daniels, moved by the incident, recommended afterward that anyone believing they might be experiencing a stroke not procrastinate. "You only have three hours from the time you feel a stroke coming on," said Daniels. "Don't play with your life, get help."


*Note: He was snowmobiling.
from celebritycafe.com

Christmas is coming early this year!

From CharlieDaniels.com

CHARLIE DANIELS RELEASES A CHRISTMAS BLUEGRASS CD/DVD
Charlie Daniels will release a new Christmas cd/dvd in mid-October on Blue Hat/Koch Records. The collection of Christmas standards features guest performances by . Jewel, The Grascals, Aaron Tippin, Kathy Mattea, and more. Songs include O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy To The World, The Christmas Song and Silent Night.

Tiger Woods names baby after Charlie

Tiger and Elin Woods welcomed their second child into the world Sunday night. Charlie Axel Woods joins sister Sam Alexis into the Woods fold. Everyone knows Tiger has been playing the fiddle since he was 4-months-old and idolizes Charlie Daniels.


From the Golf channel.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Keyboardist Billy Powell Dead at 56

The piano player for the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died at his northeast Florida home.

Keyboard player Billy Powell called 911 about 12:55 a.m. Wednesday saying he was having trouble breathing. Rescue crews performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m., said Orange Park Police Lt. Mark Cornett.

Powell, 56, who has a history of heart problems, missed a Tuesday appointment with his doctor for a cardiac evaluation. A heart attack is suspected. No autopsy will be performed because Powell's cardiologist will sign the death certificate, Cornett said.

The Jacksonville-based band was formed in 1966 by a group of high school students — famously, it took its name from a P.E. teacher they disliked, Leonard Skinner. Powell joined the group around 1972, the year before they released their first album, "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd."

It became one of the South's most popular rock groups, and gained national fame with such hits as "Free Bird," "What's Your Name" and especially "Sweet Home Alabama," which reached the top 10 on the national charts in 1974.

The band was decimated on Oct. 20, 1977, when their chartered plane crashed in a swamp near McComb, Miss.

Six people were killed — lead singer Ronnie Van Zant; guitarist Steve Gaines; and his sister, vocalist Cassie Gaines; as well as an assistant road manager, the pilot and co-pilot.
Powell was one of the survivors.

Two years after the accident, Powell and fellow members Allen Collins, Gary Rossington and Leon Wilkeson formed the Rossington-Collins Band. It broke up in 1982.

Powell was on hand again in 1991 when a revived version of the band put out a new album, "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and launched a tour in Baton Rouge, La., where the band was headed in 1977 when the plane crashed. Fans who kept their tickets from the canceled 1977 concert were admitted free.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

New Charlie DVD coming soon!

Charlie Daniels plans DVD release
Friday, September 26, 2008 – Charlie Daniels will release a live concert DVD package "Preachin', Prayin', Singin' with Charlie Daniels & Friends: Live From Nashville," Koch Records on Nov. 11.
Daniels performed in Nashville in 2005 to debut songs from his Grammy-nominated bluegrass-gospel album "Songs From the LongLeaf Pines." Daniels surprised his Country Music Hall of Fame audience by inviting several of his personal bluegrass heroes up on the Ford Theater stage to jam. Guest pickers included Mac Wiseman, members of the Scruggs family (Earl, Gary and Randy) and McCoury family (Del, Ronnie and Rob) as well as singers Sharon, Cheryl and Buck White.
The DVD features commentary from Daniels as he reflects back on the early days of The Charlie Daniels Band, playing with The Earl Scruggs Review in the late '60s and the music of close friend Wiseman.
Other features include intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes conversations with Daniels, Scruggs, Wiseman and others who participated.

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.

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.

Charlie Daniels' Littlest Achievement

From CMT

Posted: March 7th, 2008 at 12:31 pm | By: Alison Bonaguro

A couple days ago, Charlie Daniels received a Career Achievement Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters. It honors the artists who have made "a significant contribution to the development and promotion of country music and radio." And he has certainly done that. But he's also made a smaller and perhaps less significant contribution to the world of music: He inspired a very unlikely fiddle player in my six-year-old daughter. If there was an award for that, I'm pretty sure he'd get that too.

Taylor Swift gets an awful lot of credit for bringing a younger demo into country music, but guys like Daniels are doing it too. While adults bask in Daniels' rebel brand of Southern country-rock, all my budding fiddler knew was that the music was so good she wanted to rosin up her bow and play that fiddle hard. She knew nothing of his heyday in the early 80s. She had no idea what his political stance was, or what his lyrics meant. ("Chicken in the bread pan pickin' out dough/Granny does your dog bite? No, child, no"

Who does know what that means?)

This Charlie Daniels epiphany my daughter had at such a young age gained some closure when Gretchen Wilson admitted in "Redneck Woman" that she knew all the words to every Charlie Daniels song. Her little mind seemed to reason that if he was good enough for Gretchen, he was certainly good enough for her. He is the quintessential country boy, she is the quintessential little girl. They made an odd pair the day she finally met him, and she asked him to autograph her pink fiddle. That fiddle, her first and therefore most beloved, has become something of a trophy in our house. If my prodigy sticks with this talent of hers, she may go on to win her own mantel full of ACMs, CMAs and Grammys. But the fiddle with Charlie Daniels' name on it will always be the one she treasures most.

Charlie helps christen ship made from 9/11 WTC steel

March 5, 2008 - Charlie Daniels took part over the weekend in the christening of a ship that is being constructed in part with pieces from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.
Charlie was on hand to perform during a ceremony at the Northrop Grumman shipyard in Avondale, La., on Saturday. According to The New York Daily News, Dotty England, the wife of Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, handled the official christening by smashing a champagne bottle across the hull.
Some 7.5 tons of steel, recovered from the Trade Center, are being used to fashion the boat's bow stem. The ship will be commissioned in New York City in the fall of 2009.
Charlie meanwhile took part in another ceremony last night. He received a Career Achievement Award during an event at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.

Courtesy GAC -- Charlie Daniels Handling Shipping

Obama plays me some fiddle...

From the New York Times
A Mighty Fine Place to Be
By Jeff Zeleny

HOUSTON – “Texas,” that classic two-step from the Charlie Daniels Band was playing here tonight when Senator Barack Obama took the stage to claim his Wisconsin prize.
One week ago, Mr. Obama delivered his victory speech for the Potomac primaries during a rally in Madison, Wis. So when news of his Wisconsin triumph arrived tonight, he had already moved onto Texas.
“Houston,” Mr. Obama said, “I think we have achieved liftoff here.”
In the Toyota Center, where a crowd of 20,000 people had filled the arena that is home to the Houston Rockets, Mr. Obama stood on stage for several minutes as applause lingered. His traditional welcoming song by U2 was replaced tonight by the Charlie Daniels Band.

There’s a place not too far away from here
Out with the cows and the Lone Star beer
Where the livin’ and lovin’ is quite all right with me
Well they call it Texas and it’s a mighty fine place to be

Mr. Obama, who won his 24th state tonight in his bid to win the Democratic presidential race, spent little time in his speech dwelling on Wisconsin. He looked ahead to March 4, when he will find out just how mighty fine a place Texas is for his candidacy.
“Y’all know how to do it in Texas,” Mr. Obama said. He added: “The change we seek is still months and miles away and we need the good people of Texas to help us get there.”
With Wisconsin in the books – by dawn Hawaii will be, too – there is a two week pause in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. It is the longest break yet in the chaotic two-month series of primaries and caucuses.
It is a time for regrouping and reassessing – for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mr. Obama as well, whose campaign spent much of the hours leading up to the rally tonight dealing with a third-straight day of news coverage about the similarities between his speeches and those of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a longtime friend from Chicago.
In his 45-minute address tonight, Mr. Obama referred by name to Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona. Not so for Mrs. Clinton, who he extended only a few oblique references to.
There will be no such luxury on Thursday night, when the Democratic rivals face off at a debate in Austin on the campus of the University of Texas. Mrs. Clinton placed a brief telephone call to Mr. Obama at 9:45 p.m. in Texas, aides said, extending her congratulations on his Wisconsin victory.
“Every week, the coalition is growing,” David Axelrod, the chief strategist for the Obama campaign, said in an interview. Looking ahead, he added: “We’re not going to get drawn into a contest of insults. I don’t think anyone is looking for that.”
Stay tuned. The next election night is only 14 days away.

Trace Takes Advice From Charlie Daniels

Trace Takes Advice From Charlie Daniels (GAC)

February 6, 2008 — When Trace Adkins was considering the idea of writing a book about his social and political beliefs, he wasn't sure it would go over well with fans. So he consulted with another country singer who's unafraid to share his views: Charlie Daniels.

"I was worried about offending people," Trace told The Toronto Star, "and Charlie told me, 'The people that aren't gonna like you because of the book don't like you now, so you might as well go ahead.'"

As a result, Trace wrote A Personal Stand: Observations And Opinions From A Freethinking Roughneck, which combines tales from his own life with his take on the world at large.

Surprisingly, the book was actually inspired by someone from the other side of the political fence. That would be his manager, Ken Levitan.

"Politically," Trace said, "we're diametrically opposed. He's a liberal, and every conversation ends with him saying, 'You should write a book.' Well, I did, and I hope it helps others discover what our relationship is all about, what we should all be working for — just learning to get on with each other."

Grand Ole Opry Inducts Charlie Daniels As Newest Member

NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Grand Ole Opry) - Legendary country superstar Charlie Daniels was inducted into the world-famous Grand Ole Opry by Opry members Marty Stuart and Connie Smith.

Stuart welcomed Daniels into Opry membership, before a sold-out crowd, by saying, "The Opry is American and its reach is universal. A steady force in the midst of passing trends. The Opry is family. God Bless Charlie Daniels."

Daniels responded, "My Bible tells me God gives us the desires of our hearts and tonight the promise has come true." He then invited Stuart, Smith, Montgomery Gentry and Trace Adkins to join him on stage to perform "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."

During the induction which aired live on "Opry Live" on GAC: Great American Country, Daniels was also presented the Opry Member Award, a 14-inch bronze and oak wood replica of the Opry's vintage microphone stand designed by renowned sculptor Bill Rains.

"What a great night for the Opry," said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. "For five decades, Charlie Daniels has been sharing the many musical styles he performs so well with the world. We are truly proud to welcome him to our Opry family, and we look forward to the years ahead filled with great Charlie Daniels Band music on the Opry stage."

During Daniels' 50-year career, he has scored hits on the rock, country, pop and Christian charts and counts awards from the Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music (ACM), TNN/Music City News Awards, and the Gospel Music Association (GMA) among his many accolades. Born in Wilmington, NC, he was raised on a musical diet that included Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, rhythm & blues, and country music from the radio, including Nashville's 650 WSM. His signature song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," topped both country and pop charts, bringing him international acclaim.

Daniels' current Blue Hat/Koch Records CD release, DEUCES, is his first duet album and features guest artists Travis Tritt; Bonnie Bramlett; Gretchen Wilson; Vince Gill; Earl, Gary & Randy Scruggs; Dolly Parton; Darius Rucker; The Del McCoury Band; Brenda Lee; Brooks & Dunn; Marty Stuart; Montgomery Gentry; and Brad Paisley.

From HHE

They're picking on Charlie

If you're a fan of bluegrass you've noticed an increase in the number bluegrass covers of pop songs. A band called Iron Horse was the first instance I'd ever heard of such a thing, when this little band replaced Metal with Mando and covered Metallica and Ozzy. The results were strangely listenable, and they've almost created a genre by now covering everything from Van Halen to Kansas.

Their label, CMH, has been in the business of cross pollinating music for a while now, and you can catch just about any twist on pop music there you can imagine.

In their catalogue a number was recently released that provides a bluegrass interpretation of country hits, called "Pickin' On Today's Ultimate Country Hits Volume 3," that contains a cover of a certain song by Mr. Charlie Daniels and his Band. It's an interesting take on an old favorite, and it stands out in the collection. I am not familiar with many of the other songs, but this is an interesting way to check out a song without the interference of celebrity personality to make you cringe and avoid it. Sorry, Bon Jovi, trying to sing country.

Here’s the tracklist:

1 I Love This Town (The Bluegrass Tribute to Bon Jovi)
2 I Told You So (The Bluegrass Tribute to Keith Urban)
3 Love Me If You Can (The Bluegrass Tribute to Toby Keith)
4 Everyday America (The Bluegrass Tribute to Sugarland)
5 Moments (The Bluegrass Tribute to Emerson Drive)
6 I Wanna Feel Something (The Bluegrass Tribute to Trace Adkins)
7 The Devil Went Down to Georgia (The Bluegrass Tribute to The Charlie Daniels Band)
8 Lost (The Bluegrass Tribute to Faith Hill)
9 Proud of the House We Built (The Bluegrass Tribute to Brooks & Dunn)
10 Life Is a Highway (The Bluegrass Tribute to Rascal Flatts)
11 Take Me There (The Bluegrass Tribute to Rascal Flatts)
12 Never Wanted Nothing More (The Bluegrass Tribute to Kenny Chesney)
13 As If (The Bluegrass Tribute to Sara Evans)
14 Online (The Bluegrass tribute to Brad Paisley)
15 All My Friends Say (The Bluegrass Tribute to Luke Bryan)

You can see more information about the album and get it here.

Charlie's Invitation to Join the Grand Old Opry

Charlie's official induction will be on January 19th.

Huckabee's band opened for Charlie

An interesting bit of information from the official Mike Huckabee for President site --

"Huckabee, 51, enjoys playing bass guitar in his rock-n-roll band, Capitol Offense, which has opened for artists such as Willie Nelson and the Charlie Daniels Band, and has played the House of Blues in New Orleans, the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO and for two presidential inauguration balls."

His band regularly covers Lynyrd Skynyrd and has also opened for .38 Special.

No word yet if the Huckabee Campaign Trail will overlap with the Volunteer Jam.

Get Ready: Volunteer Jam '08. .38 Shooter!

Charlie Daniels taps Shooter Jennings, .38 Special for Volunteer Jam

January 3, 2008 11:01 AM

Livedaily.com
By Kym Kilgore

LiveDaily Contributor

Charlie Daniels [ tickets ] has nailed down a run of spring/summer dates for his annual Volunteer Jam tour, which will also feature fellow country rocker Shooter Jennings [ tickets ] and .38 Special [ tickets ].

The outing is scheduled to launch April 11 with a two-night stand in Harris, MI, according to Jennings' website, which lists about 15 US shows from coast-to-coast through mid-August. The itinerary is included below.

The hard-touring Charlie Daniels Band also has dates scheduled in between and on either side of Volunteer Jam. Those can be found at Daniels' website.

The veteran performer, who is set to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Jan. 19, is supporting his latest album, "Deuces," which surfaced in October. The record features Daniels performing duets of his own hits as well as country, pop and R&B classics with stars including Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton.

Jennings, also known for his relentless touring ethic, is currently spending time at home with his newborn daughter but expects to be back on the road next month. He is supporting his third album, "The Wolf," which hit the streets in October and debuted at No. 52 on The Billboard 200.

Veteran Southern rockers .38 Special also have their own dates scheduled around Volunteer Jam as they continue to tour their hits and support their latest set, 2004's "Drivetrain." The band's full schedule is listed at its website.

Daniels started Volunteer Jam in 1974 to record "Fire on the Mountain" in front of a live audience. The performer's friends joined in for a jam at that Nashville concert and the rest is history.

September saw the release of the "Volunteer Jam" DVD, which captures the classic Charlie Daniels Band lineup performing a 1975 concert featuring guest appearances by Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell of the Allman Brothers Band, Jimmy Hall from Wet Willie, Dru Lombar from Grinderswitch and the Marshall Tucker Band. Bonus features include a 2007 interview with Daniels.

[Note: The following tour dates have been provided by artist and/or tour sources, who verify its accuracy as of the publication time of this story. Changes may occur before tickets go on sale. Check with official artist websites, ticketing sources and venues for late updates.]

Volunteer Jam dates:

April 2008
11-12 - Harris, MI - Island Resort and Casino
18 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheater
19 - Cypress Gardens, FL - Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
26 - Kinder, LA - Coushatta Casino Pavilion

May 2008
3 - Sevierville, TN - Smokies Stadium
10 - Valdosta, GA - Wild Adventures
16 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
17 - Tuscumbia, AL - Alabama Music Hall of Fame
31 - Las Vegas, NV - Orleans Arena

June 2008
20 - Champion, PA - Seven Springs Mountain Resort
21 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion

July 2008
4 - Blue Ash, OH - Blue Ash Sports Center

August 2008
8 - Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair
9 - West Allis, WI - Wisconsin State Fair
12 - Des Moines, IA - Iowa State Fair

Salinas, California Show

Salinas, California Show
So I was fortunate enough to catch another CDB show, close to home for me this time. It was as usual, excellent and the band was in top form. The set list is posted here, and this is the actual set list that was gaff taped to the floor right where Charlie was playing.

Before the show started I saw Bruce Brown hanging out talking to the guy in charge of merchandise, and spoke to him for a few minutes. He said he had a chance to walk around Old Town Salinas and really enjoyed it. My friend Dan went with me and asked him how long he'd been with the band, and Bruce said 18 years. Wow. I guess he's not really the new guy anymore!

One of the things he mentioned was the set list, and that since they've sort of played the same show since the start of the year, they pretty much don't need it anymore. "I know the first three songs, and after that we just watch Charlie to see what's next." So the actual set list did vary from the one that was taped to the floor.

Here's what I have as the set list from tonight which is only slightly different from the one the band was working from.

1. Drinking My Baby Goodbye
2. South's Gonna Do It Again
3. El Toreador
4. Trudy
5. Simple Man
6. Scarlet Carnival (Taz's song)
7. Wooley Swamp
8. In America
9. The Christmas Song
10. Easy on the Eyes (Bruce's song)
11. Floreada Road
12. Long Haired Country Boy
13. How Great Thou Art
14. 1812 Overature (Chris' song)
15. Rocky Top
16. Star Spangled Banner
17. The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Now one of the funny things that Charlie did was throw out a reference that I had to look up in Wikipedia to understand what the heck he was talking about. In the song In America you know he usually throws a little local sports reference in for the local team for the line in the original studio version said "You just go and lay your hand/On a Pittsburgh Steelers fan/And I think you're gonna finally understand."

It's all good when he references a different local football team, such as the Dallas Cowboys when he's playing in Dallas, or the 49ers when he's in San Francisco. This time around, instead of the Pittsburg reference, he said, "Rainbow Warrior fan." Well, turns out the Rainbow Warriors are a fleet of tugboats that Greenpeace uses to generally pirate the oceans for environmentalism. So I guess that the Raiders didn't get their shout out, but in retrospect, you can't blame him for the potshot. This is probably as close to Santa Cruz as Charlie will get and it is probably just as fitting as anything around here.

Salinas is more of a cowboy town than a hippie haven, though, so when Charlie started the Star Spangled Banner, an interesting thing happened. First a big guy in front of me -- listen to "Play Me Some Fiddle" from Simple Man to get a lyrical visual -- took his hat off respectfully, then the guy next to me took off his ball cap. One by one, people stood up and put their hands over their hearts, and by the time the band joined in the fiddle solo for the crecendo, every one stood up. It was funny because there wasn't a flag in sight but the song is so patriotic - it's our National Anthem, for pete's sake - people were looking around for a flag to salute. Of course, the only flag in sight was the rainbow flag. Just kidding.

I should also mention that the venue was a good place to catch a show. It's a recently renovated venue and they are making an effort. There's a lot of potential there, if they can attract big shows like this one again.I brought a friend of mine along, who has only had the sort of pop culture exposure to Charlie that most of the world has had, and he went in knowing about three songs by the band, but like I figured, he was sold. How could you not be? It's a world class band with more talent than all the rest (this is a fan site, so I'm allow to be at least somewhat biased). If anyone missed a note, I didn't catch it. Last but not least, we did meet Charlie before the show and he was kind and gracious as usual, and we got our picture taken with him. I'm on the left, Dan's on the right, and Charlie's in the middle. Dan just let me know he's going to spring for a bow signed by Charlie now.

All is good in CDB land.

The lady in the front row took some pictures and posted them on Picasa, and since she put the link the comments section, I'm including it here!

Charlie's influence on pop culture continues on his 71st birthday

The newest cool game comes out today called Guitar Hero 3, which features The Devil Went Down To Georgia. Today, October 28th, also happens to be Charlie's 71st birthday.

The object of the game is to improve your pretend guitar playing skills to different songs of classic rock, with the ultimate guitar battle at the end to the tune of the Devil Went Down To Georgia. If you can play the Devil Went Down To Georgia, you beat the Devil and the game.

You can see more about the game and the release here and here.

Southern Rock Pioneer Hughie Thomasson Dies in Florida

CMT.com : News : Southern Rock Pioneer Hughie Thomasson Dies in Florida

Guitarist Founded the Outlaws and Later Joined Lynyrd Skynyrd
By: Chet Flippo

One of the pre-eminent Southern rock guitarists has died. Hughie Thomasson went out to dinner with his wife Mary on Sunday (Sept. 9), went home, got comfortable in his favorite chair to watch football and then passed away from a heart attack during a nap. He was 55 and lived in Brooksville, Fla., near Tampa.

Born Hugh Edward Thomasson Jr., Hughie Thomasson joined a fledging Tampa-area bar band named the Outlaws in the late '60s. With David Dix on drums, Thomasson quickly made a name for himself as a no-nonsense guitar master. The group disbanded, but Thomasson reformed the Outlaws in 1972 with guitarist Henry Paul, drummer Monte Yoho and bassist Frank O'Keefe. (Paul later enjoyed a successful country career as a member of BlackHawk.) Guitarist Billy Jones joined in 1973.Known as the "Florida Guitar Army" for their triple-lead guitar attack, the Outlaws were the first group signed to former Columbia Records head Clive Davis when he formed Arista Records. Davis signed them on the spot when he saw them play a small Georgia club.

Their 1975 debut album The Outlaws quickly sold gold, and they were signed as the opening act on the Doobie Brothers' Stampede tour. The band went on to record 13 albums in all, with such hits as "Green Grass and High Tides" and "Hurry Sundown," both of which Thomasson wrote. His signature Fender Stratocaster guitar sound and vocals came to define the group.

The Outlaws disbanded in the mid-'90s when Thomasson joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. He added his distinctive guitar sound to Skynyrd's robust lineup and co-wrote many of the band's later songs. In 2005, Thomasson left Skynyrd and reformed the Outlaws with drummers Yoho and Dix, bassist Randy Threet and guitarist Chris Anderson.

They toured extensively this year and performed with the Charlie Daniels Band, the Marshall Tucker Band and Dickey Betts and also played a festival in Amsterdam with Aerosmith.

The Outlaws' last concert took place Saturday (Sept. 8) at a casino in Nevada, and they had 15 concert dates scheduled through mid-December of this year.

A final, completed album, tentatively titled Once an Outlaw, which Thomasson produced, has not yet been scheduled for release.

Thomasson had also planned to re-release his solo album, So Low, under the new title, Lone Outlaw.

Memorial plans were incomplete as of Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 11).

See Charlie's site for more pics

New CDB CD 10-09-07

The Charlie Daniels Band To Release Duets CD



(NASHVILLE, TENN -- August 27th, 2007)

On October 9th, Charlie Daniels will release his 17th Blue Hat Records release, Deuces. Charlie has teamed up with some of Nashville's most recognizable artists, performing duets of Country, Pop, and R&B classics, as well as some of The Charlie Daniels Band's biggest hits. The album will be distributed by KOCH Records.

Guest stars include: Brad Paisley (Jammin' For Stevie); The Del McCoury Band (Evangeline); Gretchen Wilson (Jackson); Earl, Gary and Randy Scruggs (Maggie's Farm); Bonnie Bramlett (Signed, Sealed, Delivered), Travis Tritt (What'd I Say); Dolly Parton (Daddy's Old Fiddle); Brooks & Dunn (Long Haired Country Boy); Marty Stuart (God Save Us All From Religion); Darius Rucker (Like A Rolling Stone); Brenda Lee (Let It Be Me); Vince Gill (The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down); and Montgomery Gentry (Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye).

The duets album follows The Charlie Daniels Band's recent CD/DVD release of "Live From Iraq" which was recorded when The Charlie Daniels Band performed for US/Multinational Troops as part of the Stars for Stripes Tour. He also edited "Growing Up Country," a book of essays by Southern politicians, musicians, and celebrities. The book is in stores now. While promoting the release, Charlie will be making a series of appearances in New York and touring the country.

Charlie Guests with Travis Tritt

Travis Tritt Roars Back With 'The Storm':

Travis Tritt has a new album, and Charlie guests on it. Courtesy of SF Chronicle:

"The snarling 'Somehow, Somewhere, Someway' features a heavy workout by blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd; Tritt and Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas co-wrote the melancholy, 'What If Love Hangs On;' Richard Marx penned the funky first single, 'You Never Take Me Dancing;' and Charlie Daniels lets loose on fiddle on the honky tonk 'High Time for Gettin' Down.'"

CDB plays in South Carolina for Food Bank

Charlie Daniels Band to give helping hand
The Charlie Daniels Band will perform in October at the new USCA Convocation Center.

Sat, Aug 4, 2007
Aiken Standard By TONY BAUGHMAN Staff writer

In Charlie Daniels' classic Southern rock anthem, the devil may have gone down to Georgia, but Daniels himself is coming to Aiken this fall as an angel to a very worthy cause.
Tickets go on sale today for the Charlie Daniels Band's concert on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the USC Aiken Convocation Center. The show is a benefit for the Golden Harvest Food Bank, the Augusta-based nonprofit that feeds the hungry in 30 South Carolina and Georgia counties.
Admission is $27 per person, with discounts for groups of 15 or more. Tickets are available at www.uscatix.com or by calling (866) 722-8877.

Charlie Daniels Plans Christmas for Kids

Great American Country: "July 20, 2007 — Charlie Daniels and friends Rodney Atkins and Taylor Swift will perform at the 11th Annual Christmas for Kids Benefit Concert Monday, November 19, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The event raises money for the Christmas for Kids organization, which gives special children in the community the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season.

Christmas for Kids has been bringing the spirit of Christmas to hundreds of children throughout Middle Tennessee for more than 20 years. In addition to the concert, the Tour Bus Tour, which will take place on December 17, allows folks to visit the home-away-from-homes of more than 50 stars.

The money raised at both events is used to escort children from 25 different schools for a day-long holiday excursion. The day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard a country music star's tour bus to a photo session with Santa and then to a local Wal-Mart for their own Christmas shopping spree.

All proceeds from the Charlie Daniels & Friends Benefit Concert and the Tour Bus Show go toward the children's Christmas shopping. More information is available at christmas4kids.org. "

Charlie Daniels Helps a Hero

July 12, 2007 -- GACtv.com— Charlie Daniels will join Lonestar, Craig Morgan and other country artists in a benefit concert to fund the design and construction of a custom home for Sgt. Kevin Downs, who was severely wounded in Iraq.
Kevin is the sole survivor of an ambush that killed three American soldiers from the 278th Regimental Combat Team of the Tennessee National Guard unit. He lost both his legs and suffered burns over 60 percent of his body during the attack. After nearly two years of hospitalization, he is about to be discharged and plans to come home to Tennessee. The concert, called Home for a Hero, will help provide a house that will allow Kevin mobility and independence.
GAC's Storme Warren will host the event, which will also feature performances by Bomshel, David Lee Murphy, Collin Raye, Joe Diffie, John Berry, Paulette Carlson and Jamie Lee Thurston. The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Greer Stadium in Nashville. For more information, go to homeforahero.com.

Charlie Daniels Commissions USS New York

July 10, 2007 09:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Nashville Records™ Announces The Legendary Charlie Daniels For The USS New York Project
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nashville Records, Inc. announces the legendary Charlie Daniels for the USS New York Project. He will perform the song “The USS New York” for the recordings and performances for the christening and commissioning of the ship.
Daniels is best known for his smash hit, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," which topped both country and pop charts, won a Grammy Award, earned three CMA trophies, became a cornerstone of the Urban Cowboy movie soundtrack and propelled Daniel's Million Mile Reflections album to triple-platinum sales. More hits include, "In America," "Uneasy Rider," "The South's Gonna Do It," "Long Haired Country Boy" and a catalog that represents millions of sales.
The Charlie Daniels Band has twice been voted the Academy of Country Music's touring band of the year and has often exceeded 250 concert dates per year throughout a music career that surpasses an incredible four decades of hit generating legacy. Daniels still maintains an incredibly busy concert schedule.
Several name artists were considered for this song and project but ultimately the Company felt Daniels was the perfect choice. Previous press releases announced the USS New York, which is a Naval ship being commissioned, and was built in part with 24 tons of steel from the World Trade Center. Nashville Records™ holds the exclusive rights of performance and sales distribution. This song will also be included on Nashville Records™ upcoming Patriotic Album in connection to the USS New York, which will feature some of the industry’s biggest stars. The support for theses two projects increases daily with music industry, media, and military support.

Country Stars Supplement Charlie Daniels Album

Country Stars Supplement Charlie Daniels Album:
July 02, 2007, 3:05 PM ET
Gary Graff, Detroit
Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill and Dolly Parton are among the artists joining Charlie Daniels for a duets album he plans to release this fall on his Blue Hat Records label.

Daniels tells Billboard.com that he was in the midst of recording another album with the latest edition of the Charlie Daniels Band, when a friend suggested the duets idea. 'So we put that (group) album on the back burner for the duets album,' Daniels says. 'We're fairly close to having it finished.'

Among the highlights on the as-yet-untitled set are a version of Ray Charles' 'What'd I Say' with Travis Tritt, Johnny Cash's 'Jackson' with Wilson, 'Long Haired Country Boy' with Brooks & Dunn, Stevie Wonder's 'Signed, Sealed Delivered (I'm Yours)' with Bonnie Bramlett and Bob Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm.'

'I wanted to pick stuff that had common ground for everybody,' explains Daniels, who co-wrote one original, 'Evangeline,' with Hal Ketchum. Daniels recorded the song with the Del McCoury Band.

He's also proud of an instrumental track he laid down with Paisley and the late Stevie Ray Vaughn's Double Trouble rhythm section (Chris Layton and Tommy Shannon). 'It's just an instrumental thing we Daniels recalls. "We just got together and sat there and jammed." The bluesy song isn't titled yet, but Daniels says it will likely acknowledge Vaughan in some way.

"Stevie Ray was a very unusual and dedicated talent," Daniels says. "He was just 'it' as far as blues guitar was concerned. As far as carrying on the blues in his generation, he was the man. So it was great to be in there with (Double Trouble), 'cause they play so well together and still have that spirit."

The duets project will follow Daniels' recently released CD/DVD "Live in Iran," recorded during his visits to perform for U.S. troops overseas. He also edited the new book "Growing Up Country," which features essays by Southern musicians, politicians and athletes. He plans to finish the band album as well, probably for release in 2008. "

Pentagon Presents Charlie Daniels with Civilian Award

Washington, D.C. - American Forces Press Service - infoZine - By John J. Kruzel -

The Pentagon honored music legend Charlie Daniels here today with the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service for his support of military personnel.

Perhaps best known for his chart-topping platinum single, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," Daniels has played concerts for servicemembers at military installations around the world. The musician, who has been entertaining troops with his genre-blending style of country, blues and jazz for more than 35 years, says his life-long patriotism was born during World War II.

"I remember the day that Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, and I have taken patriotism into my heart, I have taken the military into my heart, and it has been there ever since," Daniels said.

"The more I go among the military, the more I am convinced that you folks are the best America's got.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be able to come to wherever the military is, in whatever part of the world they happen to be in, to entertain them," he said.

The two Pentagon officials who presented the framed award citation and medal to Daniels took turns thanking him for his decades of steadfast support for U.S. troops. "This is an important opportunity for us to say 'Thank You' to Charlie Daniels for his very long service to the men and women in uniform," Michael L. Dominguez, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said. "He's performed for them in more than 20 different installations in countries across the globe, volunteering his time to do what he does best, and to bring them a little bit of America and a little bit of 'Thank You' from the people of America for the service they provide for our country."

In addition to visiting troops at bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Korea and elsewhere, Daniels started Operation Heartstrings in November 2005. The program to date has donated 100 Gibson guitars, as well as drums, keyboards, microphones, and more than 13,000 pieces of musical accessories to deployed servicemembers.

Brig. Gen. Mari Kaye Eder, deputy chief of Army Public Affairs, was elated to finally talk to the man who she's been listening to since childhood. "I'm thrilled to be here with Charlie Daniels; I grew up with him, though he doesn't know that," she said. "Every Sunday after church, my dad would play his records."

Wherever Daniels goes, he has friends in uniform and throughout the vast network of armed service personnel and family members, Eder said. "It's my honor to be here to represent just a few of them today," she added.

Daniels' multimedia CD and DVD offering titled "Live From Iraq" is set for release tomorrow. The Charlie Daniels Band recorded the music portion during the group's 2006 visit to bases around Iraq, and the bonus DVD features concert footage and video of the band interacting with military members serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Addressing servicemembers gathered here, Daniels thanked the men and women in uniform for their service to their country.

"I want to thank you for making America free," he said. "Without you there would be no America."

CDB pays tribute to troops with Live From Iraq CD

The Charlie Daniels Band releases a new album and bonus DVD dedicated to our heroes in Iraq.

Countryweekly.com June 25, 2007 – On June 26, Charlie Daniels will release Live From Iraq—a two-disc, 13-song set of tunes recorded in Iraq during four performances by his legendary band as part of a Stars for Stripes tour entertaining U.S. and multinational troops.

While in Iraq, the 70-year-old Charlie and his band made stops in Arifjan, Baghdad, Tallil, Fallujah and other bases.

The new CD includes a bonus DVD featuring never-before-seen documentary footage, including a moving Easter service in Ur. "I'll never forget my trips to Iraq, having the honor of visiting with the heroes so far away from home who stand in harm's way daily to keep the torch of freedom burning brightly," proclaims Charlie. "It is with great love, admiration, respect and gratitude that I dedicate this project to the men and women who wear the military uniform of the United States of America, past, present and future."

To learn more about Charlie and his new project, check out charliedaniels.com.

Charlie Painted a Legend by APHA

APHA Awards Special Honors to Country Music Legend Charlie Daniels
Equestrian News Release

FORT WORTH, Texas —The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) recently awarded renowned country music entertainer Charlie Daniels with its Legendary Achievement Award.

Daniels was honored 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.

“Charlie Daniels, his associates at the Twin Pines Ranch, and the American Paint Horses that have been a part of the ranch’s legacy will forever hold highest honors with the American Paint Horse Association,” said APHA President Richard Cox.

The prestigious APHA award came during an April 17 media day at the Charlie Daniels Band recording studio on the Twin Pines Ranch in Lebanon, Tenn. That event is a special annual kick-off for the Charlie Daniels’ Twin Pines Ranch Rodeo, sponsored by the Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club. Proceeds from that rodeo benefit a variety of Exchange Club projects, including a family center dedicated to preventing child abuse through education and support services.
Daniels donated one of his prized APHA colts, TP Titan, to the Exchange Club to help raise additional funds for the charity.

APHA joined in the support of the worthy cause and announced its corporate sponsorship of the Charlie Daniels’ Twin Pine Ranch Rodeo.

“We feel privileged to be able to join Charlie as he, in turn, helps the community with his generosity and good works,” said Cox. “We’re also proud to call Charlie Daniels a great ambassador for the American Paint Horse breed and to present this special achievement award to him.”

A long supporter of Paints and APHA, Daniels recently said, “For years my favorite working ranch horse was an APHA mare, Rialto's Lady, but was affectionately known as ‘Fat Gal.’

“She headed and heeled, broke brush gathering cattle, made a great turn-back horse in the cutting pen, and her Tobiano Paint pattern made her stand out in the pasture.

“Due to Fat Gal’s legacy, there are a number of APHA horses on the Pines,” Daniels said. “Everyone comments on the color in the pastures. Although our bloodlines reflect cutting and working cowhorses, I like the way the APHA promotes the versatility of the breed and gives owners so many ways to show and enjoy their Paints.

“We hear from customers that some of our former ranch horses are winning in endurance, Western pleasure, trail and even English,” Daniels said.
“I appreciate the horses and the great job the APHA has done in supporting and promoting the breed.”

More information about APHA and Paint Horses
APHA is one of the largest and most popular horse breed registries in the world. More than 40,000 horses are registered each year at APHA headquarters in Fort Worth, and the association sponsors a variety of fun activities for Paint Horse riders all over the world. In fact, APHA sanctions more than 1,200 Paint Horse shows annually.

APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the American Paint Horse breed.

More about the Charlie Daniels Twin Pines Ranch
For more information on the Charlie Daniels Twin Pines Ranch, visit http://www.charliedanielstwinpinesranch.com.


PHOTO: Charlie Daniels and Twin Pines Brenda Lee.

Charlie Nagatani vs. Charlie Daniels

"He just blew us away when we saw him the first time," said the legendary country singer and fiddle player Charlie Daniels, who headlined this year's Country Gold ... "He came up on stage and bowed and looked very Japanese, and then he jumped right into 'I Walk the Line' and sounded just perfect."

January 5, 2007
Japanese country fans hold annual hoedown
By ERIC TALMADGE
KUMAMOTO, Japan (AP) - Yoshinao Tsuji has just one regret in life. He wanted to be born a cowboy.
He has the gear. The black leather chaps, order-made by Navajos in Arizona. He's got the turquoise accessories. The boots, the big Stetson hat. For one month every year, he lives on a dude ranch.
"I love everything about horses," he says, insisting on being called "Johnnie." "If only I wasn't a city boy from Kyoto."
Johnnie isn't alone.
Cowboys and cowgirls from across Japan turned out by the thousands recently for "Country Gold," an annual event in the foothills of Mount Aso, a southern Japan landmark, that has become probably the biggest homage to the Wild West this side of Tucson.
The show had all the fixings of a real hoedown.
Miss Montana Rodeo had her own tent, where she spent the day signing autographs. There was a grub wagon, selling barbecue and beans on tin plates, an advertisement for recently un-banned American beef imports. And there was enough Jack Daniels flowing to fill a pool.
"It's amazing," Chris Wormer, a guitar player with the Charlie Daniels Band, said as he looked out from the stage into a sea of cowboy hats and bright bandanas. "These people are really into it."
Japan's country crowd is a decidedly older bunch.
The music is a big draw but many of Japan's Western wannabes say they were captured by country because they grew up on Western movies when they were kids, which places the demographic firmly in the 50-plus range.
"I just couldn't get enough of the Westerns," Johnnie, who is 63 and wears a long gray goatee, said as he saddled up his ride for a trot around the venue. "I knew that was the life for me."
Another factor in the Japanese country scene's small but devoted following is the tireless effort of one man - "Charlie" Nagatani, who founded the Country Gold festival 18 years ago and, with his band, the "Cannonballs," is this country's top country singer.
That isn't really saying much.
Nagatani isn't exactly a household name. Though he's been playing country since 1956, he only has one CD, and it didn't make much of a dent in the charts.
"I think it sold maybe 5,000 copies," he said. "That's total."
But Nagatani knows how to throw a good shindig.
This year's Country Gold event, held in an open-air arena 560 miles southwest of Tokyo, drew about 20,000 people.
"This isn't just a Japan thing anymore," Nagatani said at a welcoming party in his "saloon," called - what else? - Good Time Charlie's, where he regularly plays shows before a few dozen fans, on a good night.
"This is now a major country-music event."
Despite his obscurity in the mainstream music scene, Nagatani is about as close to the real deal as a Japanese country singer can get.
He has played 16 shows at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, toured the United States numerous times, done shows for American troops fighting in Vietnam, performed for Japanese royalty and was named the 1998 International Promoter of the Year by the Country Music Awards.
He claims to be an honorary citizen of 33 states.
"He just blew us away when we saw him the first time," said the legendary country singer and fiddle player Charlie Daniels, who headlined this year's Country Gold along with the girl band Cowboy Crush and the Grascals, an up-and-coming bluegrass troupe. "He came up on stage and bowed and looked very Japanese, and then he jumped right into 'I Walk the Line' and sounded just perfect."
Of course, no hoedown would be complete without line dancing, and several hundred line dancers - many well into their 70s - converged on Country Gold.
"I love the music, I love turquoise, and I love the look," said Chihiro Hall, who brought a team of line dancers halfway across Japan from Yokohama, which is just south of Tokyo. Her American husband, Eugene - a civilian contractor in Iraq - made a point of taking vacation so that he could be there, too.
"It's a great time," he said, beer in hand.