Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels was an American singer-songwriter and fiddle maestro whose electrifying fusion of Southern rock, country, blues, and bluegrass helped shape the sound of modern country music. Born Charles Edward Daniels on October 28, 1936, in Wilmington, North Carolina, he began playing music professionally in the 1950s, co-writing Elvis Presley’s 1964 song “It Hurts Me” and working as a session musician on Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen records.

In 1970, Daniels formed the Charlie Daniels Band, gaining international fame with the 1979 hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which earned a Grammy and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. His energetic live performances, which often featured his fiery fiddle playing, led to the creation of the legendary Volunteer Jam concert series in 1974, featuring a wide range of music icons.

Daniels released over 30 studio albums spanning genres and eras—from Fire on the Mountain to gospel releases and tribute albums like Off the Grid: Doin’ It Dylan. He won a Grammy (1979), six CMA and ACM awards, and earned Dove Awards for gospel music.

A revered live performer, Daniels played everywhere from crop fields to the White House and the Super Bowl, keeping a relentless touring schedule, sometimes up to 250 shows a year. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry (2008) and the Country Music Hall of Fame (2016).

He also founded the Journey Home Project to support military veterans and used his platform for philanthropic causes. Daniels continued performing into his 80s, with his final live spot at the CMA Awards in November 2020.

Charlie Daniels passed away from a hemorrhagic stroke on July 6, 2020, in Hermitage, Tennessee, at age 83. He left a legacy as a fearless innovator, honored by peers and cherished by generations of fans