NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The country music community is mourning the loss of the legendary Charlie Daniels who passed away yesterday. Artists and industry friends shared memories and statements upon learning of his passing.
“Charlie Daniels. He’s been a big part of the soundtrack of my life. He’s always been there since I was a kid. I can recall as early as 1973 when I first heard UNEASY RIDER. He had the gift of storytelling through his music and song, and he would tell the story in a way no one else could. My wife Robin and I spoke at length with Charlie just last Wednesday. It was a joy, as always, to have a heartfelt conversation with him. He spoke of his music and the joy it has brought him to be able to share it with so many people for so many years, and he spoke of those he worked with that have help make it possible for him to have a career that he loves. And he spoke proudly of his son Charlie Jr. as well as the blessing of being married to Mrs Hazel for 56 years. As much as I will miss him, I know there are those that worked with him day in and day out, that really knew him so well, those that shared the stage with him, those that worked on his ranch and those that worked in the office making sure The CDB was ready to go. I will pray for them today, that the huge void that is left with the passing of Charlie Daniels will be filled with the what Charlie knew was the most important thing in life and in death, the love of Jesus Christ.”
–John Berry
Watch video of John Berry and Hal Ketchum with Charlie Daniels here.
“I had just watched the special video message Charlie sent to me for my birthday and then got the devastating news of his passing. But I realize the greatest gift of all to me personally was his friendship. I was so happy when he became a member of our Opry family, because it meant we’d see him more often, and appearing on his Volunteer Jam was one of the highlights of my career. I admired his kind, gentle spirit, his support of our military, his love for our music, his community and our country. I just admired everything about Charlie Daniels.”
–Jeannie Seely
“My first Opry performances in Texas as a young 14 year old was singing “Devil Went Down To Georgia,” “In America,” and “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” I have always been such a fan of Charlie and his band. A class act, a patriot, and one of the nicest men I have ever met. I know where he is now and it is glorious! Grace and peace be with his bandmates, family and friends at this time. Thank you Mr. Daniels for always being so kind to me over the years. Go rest high on that mountain that you have talked about so many times.”–Tim Rushlow
“Are you as good as Charlie Daniels?“ that’s the question anybody asks when I tell them I play fiddle and for a very good reason. I think we all, as fiddlers, owe Charlie Daniels a huge thanks for putting the fiddle in the spotlight and making it famous all over the world. “–Michael Cleveland (IBM Fiddle Player of the Year and 2018 National Fiddler Hall of Fame.Inductee)
“Forty years & counting Charlie was a dear friend til the end. He was there for me when my father died and when my mother was ill. Now Ol’ Brother Willie’s gettin’ soakin’ wet…….this time from all the tears that are flowing.”
–Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Hank Jr., Jeff Beck and Alabama Music Hall of Fame member)
“I’ve been thinking about Charlie Daniels today. His records were so influential to so many young musicians, bridging country and southern rock. And he played the fiddle in an exciting rough-around-the-edges way that few have mastered. I was honored to be the fiddler called to play The Devil Went Down to Georgia for Charlie when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame a few years ago. Trace Adkins sang, I played. It took both of us to do what Charlie did by himself. I’ve rarely been as nervous as I was that night, as I wanted to play it like Charlie, and I knew he was going to be sitting right there, and that everyone in that entire audience, and probably everyone reading this, knows that record inside and out. Afterward, he was just so kind and so very gracious. He said we should do it together as a duet sometime. I wish that had come to pass. Rest easy, Charlie.”
–Andrea Zonn (James Taylor fiddle player)
“In 1981, Exile was performing several shows with Charlie and CDB. That summer we had my 10 year old daughter and our tour manager’s daughter, also 10, on the road with us during their summer school break. One day, at a hotel in Springfield, Ill, me, the girls and Charlie went outside next to the hotel in a field as I watched the kids running and laughing as Charlie was practicing his roping technique! They loved him and he loved kids and family and country! And we, Exile, loved Charlie for his friendship and generosity. Asking us to perform on a Volunteer Jam was one of the highlights of our career! RIP Charlie! Your final curtain call has come and your encore will surely be amazing!”–Sonny LeMaire-Exile
“I’ve been an admirer of Charlie Daniels since the early 1970s, when he was playing around Lexington, KY – before he became a national star. Exile then had the pleasure of playing one of his early & innovative Volunteer Jams at The Municipal Auditorium, playing various concert dates & The Opry with him through the years. During all of these, I was always amazed by Charlie’s musicianship, professionalism, humbleness, energy, and most importantly, his kindness. He was a groundbreaking musician – a true legend.”–Marlon Hargis-Exile
“We have lost another LEGEND in country music…I mourn the loss of Charlie Daniels,what a true American gentleman. Thoughts and prayers for Hazel and the family…rest in peace Charlie,you will be missed!!”
–Les Taylor-Exile
“Aside from Charlie’s monumental contribution to music was his warmth as a human being. He always made everyone in his presence feel welcome. He will be sorely missed. RIP”–JP Pennington-Exile
“I am beyond saddened today, hearing about the passing of the great Charlie Daniels. He was always a class act, a gentleman, a patriot, and a philanthropist. He was a friend who welcomed me to his home, at The Grand Ole Opry, and on any stage he played. He was a dedicated husband and Father to Hazel and Charlie Jr. He broke boundaries in the music world, because he never let genre fence him in. He was honored and revered in the Gospel, Country, Bluegrass, Southern Rock, Rock, and Blues world as a multi talented singer, songwriter and instrumentalist. I was honored to know Charlie Daniels and he will be missed so very much. He lived an exploratory life and will leave an indelible mark on the music world, his fans, and on humanity in general. There was nobody like him, but God…I wish there were. We all know Charlie has been welcomed into those pearly gates beyond a shadow of a doubt. His faith was strong as the day is long, and that gives us all some peace. Go rest high Charlie.”–Heidi Newfield
“I was blessed to write two songs with Charlie Daniels and Kim Williams. We wrote out at his studio and he was such a gentleman. We wrote, we laughed, he fed us lunch and played great guitar. He was one of the folks who changed the face of Nashville music by playing on Doing It Dylan Sessions. P.S.He cut both songs we wrote. What an honor.”–Kent Blazy
“I first met Charlie when he Opened for Delaney and Bonnie and Friends at Carnegie Hall back in 1970/71? He has been a Dear Friend and Champion for me ever since!! He called me Sister! He and Hazel have been so Good to and for so many of us. The Empty is overwhelming! And THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER!! RIP DEAR BROTHER.”
–Bonnie Bramlett
“Back in 2009 when I was green to the music industry, I had the opportunity to open for the Charlie Daniels Band with an artist I was playing drums for at the time. In addition to creating a lasting musical memory by watching CDB perform a masterful show from the side stage, I was fortunate enough to meet Charlie, and chat with him briefly backstage before our show. A strong Christian man, a patriot, a skilled musician, and a gentleman… Charlie Daniels left me with an incredible impression that helped further inspire me to keep working hard and treat others with warmth and kindness, such as he treated me. Until we meet again Charlie, rest in the peace of our Heavenly Fathers arms.”–Michael Boris, Lockeland
“Not only was Charlie Daniels loved for the musical gifts he gave to the world, but also for his steadfast faith in God and Country. For five decades, he was a true artist who stirred the hearts and spirits of millions with the music that made him a legend. He lived the lyrics he wrote throughout his long life and career, and inspired others to do the same. We were honored to have experienced that many times when we were around Charlie both at the Grand Ole Opry and here in his native North Carolina. He will be greatly missed, but he is forever ingrained in our hearts and musical repertoire.”–Darin and Brooke Aldridge
“What are the odds that Lang and I would have just spent a couple of hours with 2 of our grandchildren at the beautiful Charlie Daniels Park? His fingerprints are not only all over the community of Mt Juliet which he loved so much.. his fingerprints are on all of our hearts.. he is a National treasure! My family sends much love and prayers to Hazel and the Daniels family as well as Charlie’s Road family and his many loyal fans.”–Linda Davis
“I am so heartbroken hearing about the passing of country music legend Charlie Daniels. He was from my home state of North Carolina and such an inspiration to me and I know so many others in the industry. He with be truly missed.”–Taylon Hope
“Rest In Peace, Mr. Daniels. My heart is breaking for the Daniels family today. Though I never got to meet Charlie, I had the honor of spending time with his sweet wife, Mrs Hazel, at a veterans event a couple years ago. What an amazing family. Thank you so much for your dedication to our country and to Country Music. You will be missed”–Dallas Remington
“He was like the Grandpa everybody wishes they had.”–Ben Fuller
“Charlie Daniels was one of the true innovators in music. Going clear back to his days as a session musician, to artist, to American icon. His faith, the causes he believed in were as real and from his heart as the music he created. Condolences to Hazel, Charlie Jr. and all his family, friends and millions of fans around the world.”–Dallas Wayne SiriusXM
“Country Music lost a legend. Charlie Daniels did it all. He was a one of a kind artist, songwriter, and session musician. His faith in God and love for this country was an inspiration to those around him. Rest in peace.”
–Joe and Martina