Grand Ole Opry induct Charlie Daniels
Monday, January 21, 2008 – Charlie Daniels was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Opry members Marty Stuart and Connie Smith Saturday night.
Stuart welcomed Daniels into Opry membership, before a sold-out crowd, by saying, "The Opry is American, and its reach is universal. A steady force in the midst of passing trends. The Opry is family. God Bless Charlie Daniels."
Daniels responded, "My Bible tells me God gives us the desires of our hearts, and tonight the promise has come true." He then invited Stuart, Smith, Montgomery Gentry and Trace Adkins to join him on stage to perform "Will The Circle Be Unbroken."
During the induction, which aired live on "Opry Live" on GAC: Great American Country, Daniels was also presented the Opry Member Award, a 14-inch bronze and oak wood replica of the Opry's vintage microphone stand designed by sculptor Bill Rains.
"What a great night for the Opry," said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. "For five decades, Charlie Daniels has been sharing the many musical styles he performs so well with the world. We are truly proud to welcome him to our Opry family, and we look forward to the years ahead filled with great Charlie Daniels Band music on the Opry stage."
During Daniels' 50-year career, he has scored hits on the rock, country, pop and Christian charts and counts awards from the Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music (ACM), TNN/Music City News Awards, and the Gospel Music Association (GMA).
Born in Wilmington, N.C., he was raised on a musical diet that included Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, rhythm and blues, and country music from the radio, including Nashville's 650 WSM. His signature song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," topped both country and pop charts.
More news for Charlie Daniels Band
CD reviews for Charlie Daniels Band
A Bluegrass Christmas
Charlie Daniels has recorded what he calls a bluegrass Christmas CD, although he isn't so exclusive that there are only bluegrass folks helping him out. His friends also include country singer Aaron Tippin (Christmas Time Down South) and folksinger Jewel (Blue Christmas).
Daniels also made sure everybody knows full well that this is a Southern Christmas music collection. Song titles include Christmas Time Down South, Mississippi Christmas and A Carolina Christmas Carol. »»» |
Preachin', Prayin', Singin' DVD
Charlie Daniels has his Southern rock personality (exemplified by The Devil Went Down To Georgia) and he also has his spiritual side (as he's known to join Billy Graham crusades now and again). But when the fiddler/guitarist first arrived in Nashville, he befriended folks like banjo great, Earl Scruggs, and his two sons, Gary and Randy.
These three players appear with Daniels during this mainly bluegrass set, along with Del McCoury, The Whites and Mac Wiseman. Bluegrass gospel songs make up »»» |
Deuces
The Charlie Daniels Band's 13-song duets album is one of the more ecletic
duets releases by any country artist. Daniels and his collaborators perform blues, rock, soul, folk, bluegrass and traditional country.
Daniels and Travis Tritt shine on Ray Charles' "What I'd Say," and he throws the audience on a cover with a blues-rock version of "Jackson," far different than the standard Johnny Cash-June Carter recorded. But the best tracks are the bluegrass »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
If anyone saw the Super Bowl – what a great great game that was – they would have heard American Idol winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood sing the National Anthem. Underwood did with her voice what Kelly Clarkson did last week with her written words – give it to Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records,, who tried defending Taylor Swift by knocking American Idol performers. »»»
Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
As Martina McBride pointed out, the pairing of the country singer with Trace Adkins on their current jaunt was surprising. After all, she's of diva-quality voice, petite, non-controversial unless you call singing songs that empower women controversial. Adkins, on the other hand, has not been afraid to speak his mind with a kick butt attitude.... »»»
Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
Eilen Jewell wears a lot of musical hats. The Idaho native, who now lives in Boston, fronts the Eilen (ee-lin) Jewell Band, a pretty much traditional country band. She's a member the Sacred Shakers, an octet doing gospel country with a country beat. And she has yet another project, Butcher Holler, covering Loretta Lynn songs.... »»»
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