Charlie gave www.cdbfan.com the rare opportunity to answer some questions that we could post on the internet for everyone to enjoy. The method in which we came up with what questions to ask was very scientific. First, I sent out an email to about five or friends that I knew liked the CDB, including one to my mom. When they replied, I put them in with some of my own questions, and sent them to Charlie. His answers to some of these questions show his professionalism, sense of humor, work ethic and strong faith in Jesus Christ. It's a great insight to a man who is a legend in the music industry.
-- Matt
Webmaster and CHARLIE FAN!
 

I've read that you play something like 450,000 or so shows a year. Is that close?
 IT WOULD BE TOTALLY IMPOSSSIBLE TO DO 450,000 SHOWS IN A YEAR. WE DID ABOUT 135 OR SO LAST YEAR AND WILL DO AROUND 110 THIS YEAR.

From reading your album jackets over the years, it looks like you write most  of your own music. With all the touring you do, where do you find the time and inspiration to write and practice so much music?
I'M CONSTANTLY IN A WRITING MODE. I SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH MY GUITAR AND WORKING UP IDEAS.
 

You tour, put out an album or two a year, started your own record company, sign up new acts, and make tv appearances. Man alive. What the heck keeps you so motorvated?
I JUST LOVE WHAT I DO AND THANK GOD I CAN MAKE A LIVING DOING SOMETHING THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. IT'S A BLESSING.
 

You mentioned in a Soapbox article that you're working on an autobiography. Have you made any progress on it and when do you think it will be published?
I WORK ON MY BIO WHEN I HAVE TIME AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'LL EVER GET IT FINISHED. HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

My dear old mother wanted to know what your first vehicle was, and how old you were when you got it.
MY FIRST VEHICKLE WAS AN OLD CHEVY AND I GOT IT WHEN I WAS ABOUT 20.
 

What kept you interested in music, or driving towards a music career in the beginning?
REFER TO NUMBER 3.

Every time I've tried to grow facial hair, my wife has made me shave it, so I wonder if Hazel's ever tried to get you to shave your beard, and if you do shave it, will you donate it to a museum?
SHE LIKES MY BEARD AND I DON'T THINK A MUSEUM WOULD WANT IT.
 

Did you rig that fiddle to break on Regis and Kathie Lee? That was one of the funniest things I've seen on that show.
NO IT JUST HAPPENED.
 

Speaking of Hazel, does she travel with you a lot, and what is her favorite place to visit?
YES SHE TRAVELS WITH ME MOST OF THE TIME AND WE ENJOY OUR HOME IN TENNESSEE AND THE ONE IN COLORADO.
 

I saw you play at the Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas a couple of years ago, and it was about 450 degrees farenheit in the shade. You got up there in the heat of the day and played your portion of the show dressed to the nines in your complete outfit -- long sleeves, pants, boots, the whole nine yards, while they were actually hosing down the audience with a fire hose because it was so hot. Have you ever just said to yourself, "forget it, I'm going out there in shorts and t-shirt."
I FEEL THAT I SHOULD DRESS A CERTAIN WAY WHEN I GO ON STAGE AND TRY TO STICK TO IT.
 

You've lost some good friends who have been famous people over the years, and I was wondering if that's affected you personally, either positively or negatively.
I HAVE BEEN SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF MY FRIENDS, FAMOUS AND OTHERWISE. I LOVE  MY FRIENDS AND THEIR PASSING HAS NOT AFFECTED ME POSITIVELY OR  NEGATIVELY.  IT'S JUST PART OF LIFE.

In the past couple of years you've recorded two gospel albums. Any plans on a third?
I PLAN TO START AN ALBUM OF MY OLD FAVORITE HYMNS IN A FEW WEEKS.

You've now played three Billy Graham crusades, and you said that "when I'm there I feel as if I'm exactly where I should be, doing exactly what I
should be doing at the time I should be doing it." Is there anything else that makes you feel that way?
WE HAVE PLAYED FOUR BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADES, WITH THE FIFTH COMING UP IN JUNE IN NASHVILLE, BY THE WAY.  AND YES SOMETIMES I FEEL THAT WAY ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

Anyone who's followed the CDB over the years has noticed a big change in the lyrics of your songs from say Midnight Wind until now. Can you explain what events in your life led you to produce such radical (convicting) gospel songs? No soft soapin' here.
I NEVER WANT MY SONGS TO HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON ANYONE AND IN MY EARLIER DAYS I DID SOME LYRICS WHICH COULD BE CONSTRUED TO BE PROMOTING  THINGS THAT I DON'T WISH TO PROMOTE. MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND JESUS BROUGHT ABOUT THE CHANGES.

How has your personal decision to follow Christ affected the lives of the other band members? Are any of them Christians, or have any of them become Christians?
I DO HAVE CHRISTIANS IN THE BAND AND ORGANIZATION. SOME HAVE BECOME CHRISTIANS SINCE I'VE KNOWN THEM BUT I CA'T TAKE CREDIT FOR THEM DOING SO.

I know a CDB concert's not a church service, but has anyone come to Christ at one of your concerts?
IF THEY HAVE I'VE NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF IT.

What tape or CD is in your player right now?
PART OF MY NEW ALBUM WHICH I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO TO APPROVE THE MIXES.

It looks like you're not touring again until the end of March. Are you working on a new album or any new music we can look forward to?
I'VE JUST FINISHED THE ROAD DOGS ALBUM AND I'VE GOT TO START PUTTING TOGETHER A NEW SHOW SOON, SO I'M STAYING BUSY.

What should I have asked? What do you want to leave everyone with?
I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL GIVE JESUS A CHANCE.  IT'S THE ONLY WAY.
 

GOD BLESS
CHARLIE DANIELS