SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE: SMN Artists Reflect on the Passing of Country Legend, Charlie Daniels (Audio)
SONY MUSIC NASHVILLE: SMN Artists Reflect on the Passing of Country Legend, Charlie Daniels (Audio)
Some of our Sony Music Artists share their personal experiences and memories of the late Charlie Daniels.
Chris Young
Chris Young:Charlie Daniels was truly one of a kind, not only for his music, which I can’t tell you how many times I’ve either sung along to and or got up with the band and performed “Devil Went Down To Georgia” somewhere. And that’s just one song of his incredible catalogue but, also who he was as a human being. Just how kind he was to other artists, people who were coming up behind him, that looked up to him, and obviously everything he’s done with the military … I was lucky to know him. And, uh, yeah he’ll be sorely missed.
Matt Stell
Matt Stell:To me, Charlie Daniels is one of those artists that transcends generations and genres. You know, you might hear a Charlie Daniels song on the country station, or the classic country station, or even the classic rock station. I know for me growing up, one of the first songs I ever learned was “Long Haired Country Boy” and I played it out a thousand times. So he was definitely an influence on me and what I do. And aside from the music watching him bring all that energy to a live show and give so much to an audience is really inspiring, it really sets a high bar. So I’ve definitely learned a lot from being a fan of Charlie Daniels a long time.
Mitchell Tenpenny
Mitchell Tenpenny: I met Charlie Daniels a few times. I even have one of his fiddles that he signed up in my house. I think what I learned more about from Charlie is every single time I’d see him or meet him at show backstage he was the same genuine person. Obviously he could play the crap out of a violin and a fiddle but more importantly he was just a good person and I think that translates so much more than anything… especially in the music industry. It makes you want to be around him, it creates the legend that he became. Uh, he’s an incredible musician but also he’s and incredible person and may he rest in peace. What a living legend he was the entire time, he was putting out amazing music and uh Charlie Daniels is a huge influence for all of us. If you don’t know who Charlie Daniels is, you better get to learning.
Niko Moon
Niko Moon:Charlie Daniels is such a legend. I remember the first time I ever heard “Devil Went Down To Georgia” I was ten years old, it was July 4th at Stone Mountain and they were having a big fireworks celebration. And, right before the fireworks went off they started playing “Devil Went Down To Georgia” and everybody just went crazy. And I remember thinking how cool it was that this guy from Georgia was able to beat the Devil at playing fiddle and, you know, being a kid in Georgia it was like, he was like this this bigger than life character, this super hero who could even take down the Devil.
Old Dominion: Matthew Ramsey
Old Dominion (Matthew Ramsey): Hey this is Matthew from Old Dominion and just wanted to tell you my story about Charlie Daniels. My story about Charlie Daniels starts with our debut at the Grand Ole Opry. We were kind of and unknown band and a little nervous to go out and to play the song that we were going to go play. It wasn’t the most country of songs. It’s called “Dirt on a Road” and uh, anyway, we just didn’t know how it was going to go over. But, we went out there, rushed out there, rushed through the song, and it was nerve racking and uh, I was trying to scramble to get my gear up and off the stage and out of the way for the next act that I didn’t know who it was. I was standing there on that very famous Opry circle and I felt a tap on my shoulder and I heard this voice say, “You did a good job, son.” I turned around and there was Charlie Daniels with his hand out to shake it and so I shook his hand and kind of stood there in awe at the moment in how I was standing in that circle, shaking a country music legend’s hand. And, he was so gracious, um, and it left a lasting impression on me until, really, until this day. That’s my Charlie Daniel’s story.
Robert Counts
Robert Counts:Hey Y’all, Robert Counts here just thinkin about the late great Charlie Daniels and The Charlie Daniels Band. I was sadden to hear of his passing recently and it kinda made me think about the first time I ever heard a Charlie Daniels song or the first Charlie Daniels song that I ever heard was bouncing around with my dad, I remember in the truck, on the way out to a job and “Long Haired Country Boy” came on. And, uh my dad of course turned it up and we just kinda listened to that and that was my first experience of ever hearing that type of music and what he does. My love for the Charlie Daniels Band just kinda grew from there. Um, but he will be deeply missed, rest in peace Mr. Charlie Daniels. We love you.
