“Charlie Daniels was a reverential innovator. He was a fiddle-playing bandleader, like King of Country Music Roy Acuff. His music fused the immediacy of Southern Rock with the classic country storytelling that he heard as a child in Wilmington, North Carolina.” – Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young
Prolific songwriter and country music legend Charlie Daniels died early Monday (July 6) morning from a hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 83. Daniels is best known for his classic song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and his extraordinary fiddle playing. The artist won multiple awards, including a Grammy, a CMA Award, and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Daniels started out as a session musician, playing for the likes of Bob Dylan before breaking out as an artist in country music. Along with his band, he charted 34 singles on Billboard, including the “Devil” which charted at number 3. He was also able to perform the single in the movie “Urban Cowboy,” adding actor to his long list of accomplishments.
Daniels said of performing the song’s famous fiddle solo,“I get a chance to play it better tonight than I did last night and better tomorrow night than I did tonight. I haven’t played it perfectly yet. I am in love with walking on stage and entertaining people with songs I have written. It’s one of the few times in my life that I feel like I know what I’m doing.”
Charlie Daniels is survived by his wife Hazel and son, Charlie Daniels Jr. His wife was known for always being by his side, and Daniels was a loving father and friend. The music world will miss this country legend.
