CHARLIE DANIELS 50+ Years of Making Music Charles E. Daniels born October 28, 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina Circa 1953: Charlie performs in a bluegrass band, the Misty Mountain Boys, with childhood friend, Russell Palmer, and writes his first song. 1956: 1958: Charlie plays in Jacksonville, NC with the Rockets In 1958, he begins his professional music career performing with The Rockets. 1959: At the age of 23, as a professional musician, with the instrumental rock & roll combo, the Jaguars, the group landed a recording session for Epic Records with Bob Johnston, who would later become Columbia Records' leading folk and country producer.The longest stretch with the Jaguars was (1959-1967) and they record an instrumental single in Ft. Worth, Texas, called “Jaguar.” The band’s name changed when the record was released to, The Jaguars. 1963: Back to country and rock. Daniels co-writes “It Hurts Me,” and it’s recorded by Elvis Presley and put on the flip side of “Kissin Cousins”. 1967: Daniels is invited by producer Bob Johnston, who’s joined CBS Records in Nashville, to try Music City. He agrees. “I was playing a lot of clubs, and I wanted to get off the road.” He joins Johnston on Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline. “Dylan liked what I did, and I was very much into what he was doing.” Charlie and his guitar go on to other sessions, among them Ringo Starr and Marty Robbins. 1969: Charlie went on tour with Leonard Cohen then tried his hand as a producer with the Youngbloods. He produced Elephant Mountain and Ride the Wind, the latter recorded live at a rock festival in Louisiana and at the Fillmores East and West. 1970: Charlie plays guitar and records Ringo Starr’s Beaucoups of Blues in Nashville, TN. Daniels cuts his first solo album, Charlie Daniels (Capitol Records), 1972: The Charlie Daniels Band is formed and enters the first wave of Southern rock bands. The CDB joins Kama Sutra Records and records Te John, Grease and Wolfman, named after the band members’ nicknames. “Grease” was keyboard player Joel DiGregorio,. “Te John” was the bass player Earl Grigsby and “Wolfman” and the drummer was Jeffrey Myer. 1973: Their next album, Honey in the Rock, includes “Uneasy Rider,” a talking bluegrass number which becomes a hit the following year, reaching #9 in Billboard, Aug. 1973. 1974: The CDB issues Way Down Yonder, which is reissued in 1977 by Epic as Whiskey. Recording Fire on the Mountain, including “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” which hit the Top 30, and “Long Haired Country Boy,” which peaked at #56, Daniels decided to record two songs ‘live’ in concert and chose an auditorium in Nashville. In a nod to the Volunteer State, the CDB called the concert Volunteer Jam and invited friends from the Marshall Tucker Band, and Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers Band), among others to join them. “We had such a good time, we decided we should do this once in a while.” “Once in a while” became almost every year. Before its first run ended in 1986, the jams were broadcast nationally and internationally (Voice of America). Guests ranged the world of music including Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent, , Roy Acuff, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Crystal Gayle, James Brown, Emmylou Harris, Amy Grant, George Thorogood, Kris Kristofferson, Little Richard, Tammy Wynette, Boxcar Willie, Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, and a reunion of the Allman Bros. (1986) 1975: CDB issues the Night Rider album. A second Volunteer Jam in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, resulting in an album, Volunteer Jam. 1976: With the album, Saddle Tramp, the CDB joins Epic Records. Daniels aligns himself with presidential candidate Jimmy Carter and when Carter is elected President of the United States, the CDB are among performers at his inaugural. 1977: The CDB issues two albums, High Lonesome and Midnight Wind. 1978: More Volunteer Jams result in a two-record set, Volunteer Jam III and IV. 1979: Million Mile Reflections yields “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which reaches #1 and wins the Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group. 1980: The CDB appears in the film, Urban Cowboy, and is included on the motion picture soundtrack. CDB’s Full Moon release includes “In America,” which is Daniels’ response to the Iran hostage crisis and the renewed patriotism it ignites. The record reaches #11 in Billboard. The CDB hits the charts with The Legend of Wooley Swamp. 1982: In the Windows album, the CDB’s version of Dan Daley’s “Still in Saigon” reaches #22. 1983: The CDB issues a compilation, The Charlie Daniels Band-A Decade of Hits. 1985: Me and the Boys album is released. 1987: The CDB releases its Powder Keg album. Charlie appears as Stoney Carmichael in Angela Lansbury’s hit tv series, Murder She Wrote. 1988: Homesick Heroes is issued out of CBS/Nashville and results in a Top 10 record on the country charts: “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues.” Charlie makes another tv acting appearance on Lonestar Kid, a good family film produced by "Happy Days" alumni Ron Howard and Anson Williams. 1990: Simple Man is issued and rises to #2 on the country charts. 1991: Renegade is released and Volunteer Jam returns to Nashville in May. 1992: Charlie Daniels signs a new record deal with Liberty Records. 1993: Liberty Records releases their first Charlie Daniels album in April, America, I Believe In You, and commences on a tour with tour sponsor Dickies workwear. 1994: Charlie releases his first Christian album on Sparrow Records, titled, The Door. “Sunday Morning,” the first single release to Christian Country radio takes the #1 slot on the Positive Country chart. A video is released for the single “Two Out Of Three”, and is voted Video of the Year for the Christian Country Music Association. The album won a Dove award from the Gospel Music Association for best Country album of the year. 1995: Charlie Daniels is named Cashbox Magazine’s Best Positive Christian Country Performance by a Secular Artist for 1994. He receives a Dove Award and a Grammy nomination for his Christian album, The Door, and inks another contract to host the nationwide talent search television show, Charlie Daniels’ Talent Roundup, on TNN: The Nashville Network. A tour is set with Charlie, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Travis Tritt. 1996: Charlie’s second gospel album Steel Witness is released. Charlie celebrates his 60th birthday with Volunteer Jam XVI - the first-ever Acoustic Jam at The Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, TN. Charlie Daniels: The Roots Remain box set is released. The three-CD set features some of Daniel’s classics hits including “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” “Long Haired Country Boy” and “Uneasy Rider.” Charlie Daniels delivers the University of North Carolina at Wilmington commencement address and was presented the honorary degree of doctor of letters. 1997: Daniels and manager, David Corlew start independent record label, Blue Hat Records and releases Blues Hat, the bands first album on the new label. Sony Wonder releases Charlie’s first children’s album, By The Light Of The Moon: Campfire Songs and Cowboy Tunes and Charlie wins another Dove award, the Song of the Year for Somebody Was Prayin’ For Me,. 1998: Charlie was presented The Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country Music. Garth Brooks along with congratulatory messages from two American Presidents, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford and music by Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart made it a big surprise for Daniels. The CDB releases Fiddle Fire / 25 Years of The Charlie Daniels Band on Blue Hat Records. 1999: The CDB releases Tailgate Party, on Blue Hat Records, a collection of songs that have inspired the band over the years. Charlie takes his historical Volunteer Jam on the road for the first time for Volunteer Jam Tour ‘99 with Molly Hatchet, The Marshall Tucker Band and for several dates, Hank Williams, Jr. A charity partnership is developed between Charlie and Habitat for Humanity and several houses were built while on tour. Charlie receives the Living Legend Award atThe Music City News/TNN Awards show. 2000: The CDB releases Road Dogs on Blue Hat Records, a collection of all new material. The Volunteer Jam goes on the road (2nd year) with Hank Williams Jr., Little Feat & Edgar Winter. 2001: The CDB rocks amphitheatres on the Volunteer Jam Tour 2001 with 38 Special, The Dickey Betts Band and newcomer Trent Summar and the New Row Mob, Sponsored by Diamond Cut Jeans. Charlie Daniels opens museum in downtown Nashville. The museum is filled with memorabilia and photo’s chronicling Charlie’s career including photos with presidents, celebrities from the sports, music, film, television and famous cowboy worlds, prestigious Grammy, CMA, ACM, Playboy among other awards. Blue Hat/Audium releases the Charlie Daniels Band’s first live album, titled, LIVE. Charlie Daniels is inducted into his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina’s prestigious Walk of Fame. October 28, 2001, Charlie turns 65 and celebrates with the success of his single, “This Ain’t No Rag, It’s A Flag”. The song was recorded after the September 11th tragedy . The demand for the single virtually shut down Daniels’ website. 2002: The CDB releases How Sweet The Sound-25 Favorite Hymns and Gospel Greats, marking Daniels’ third release on Sparrow Records and his first since his successful prostate cancer surgery in November (2001). The CDB releases Redneck Fiddlin’ Man on Blue Hat/Audium Records. Charlie raises his patriotic voice again with 12 songs including “The Last Fallen Hero”. The CDB releases A Merry Christmas To All , Christmas classics and originals that Daniels wrote. 2003: Freedom and Justice for All is the new release for the CDB. Regnery Publishers releases Charlie Daniels’ hardback book, Ain’t No Rag (Freedom, Family and the Flag). 2004: With the help of the Tennessee National Guard, The CDB performs for soldiers in Germany and Kosovo, and is heard in 56 countries including Iraq and Afghanistan on a live broadcast provided by the Armed Forces Network. 2005: Superbowl XXXIX -CDB, Gretchen Wilson, Black Eyed Peas, Earth, Wind & Fire The CDB, Gretchen Wilson, Black Eyed Peas, Earth, Wind and Fire perform for the Super Bowl XXXIX “Bridging Generations” pre game show where the NFL paired young icons and timeless legends from a variety of music genres and was aired on Fox, Sunday, February 6, 2005 from Jacksonville, FL. Charlie Daniels appeares as a guest on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Super Bowl Saturday Night Special live on CMT from Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena the night before the Super Bowl. Charlie Daniels first bluegrass album, Songs From The Longleaf Pines, is released and features bluegrass legends Earl Scruggs and Mac Wiseman and receives great reviews from USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Barnes & Noble, All Music Guide, CCM, Christianitytoday.com and the Nashville City Paper. Through the combined efforts of the Tennessee National Guard, United States ArmyEurope, Central Command in Southwest Asia, and the nonprofit organization “Stars for Stripes”, The Charlie Daniels Band takes their spirit to Kyrgystan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait and, Iraq, where they perform 9 shows for more than 15,000 soldiers. The band travels more than 16,000 miles & performs up to 3 shows per day for American troops deployed in the war. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. releases an exclusive Charlie Daniels Band cd, Country Stars N’ Stripes, a collection of the band’s patriotic favorites. CDB releases their first Live concert dvd shot from the July 4, 2005 concert on the Riverfront in Nashville, TN before thousands of American music fans. Charlie Daniels is honored as a BMI Icon during ceremonies at the 53rd Annual BMI Country Awards. Del Bryant, President & CEO of the performing rights organization, presented Daniels with an engraved silver champagne vessel with the inscription: “In recognition of your unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” The CDB launches Operation Heartstrings, a plea to corporate America to help the dedicated men and women serving in the Armed Forces overseas combat the loneliness and isolation of service in the War on Terror by providing instruments, albums, dvds, cd and dvd players. 2006: Charlie Daniels plays fiddle on the new version of Hank, Jr.’s Are You Ready For Some Football and is featured in the weekly ESPN openings. Charlie and Hank are joined onstage by Little Richard and Joe Perry of Aerosmith plus other musical greats. CDB again travels abroad to perform for US Troops as part of the Stars for Stripes tour. This is the 2nd visit for The CDB to Iraq & Kuwait. The shows are recorded for Live From Iraq. SIRIUS Satellite Radio names Charlie Daniels as the voice of Road Dog Trucking channel 147, a 24 hour channel geared toward professional drivers and is devoted entirely to trucking culture. “Road Dogs”, Charlie Daniels song is the official theme song of the channel. Gravely (lawnmowers) names Charlie Daniels as the spokesperson for their 90th Anniversary (2006), and is The CDB’s tour sponsor for 2007. Charlie celebrates his 70th birthday (Oct. 28th) in China with family & friends. For the first time he visits the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and met with the Ambassador to China at the Embassy. His trip starts in Japan at the Country Gold Festival and continues to Korea where he performs at 5 United States Army bases. 2007: Charlie Daniels performs the National Anthem at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL on New Year’s Day. The college football bowl game matched the University of Tennessee Volunteers against Penn State University Nittany Lions in front of a sellout crowd in Raymond James Stadium. DoubleDay-Flying Dolphin Press, releases Charlie Daniels book, Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country, a 2007 hardcover release of essays from a roster of country greats including Dolly Parton, former President Jimmy Carter, Kix Brooks, Barbara Mandrell, Clint Black, Brenda Lee, Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery, Gary Rossington (of Lynryd Skynyrd), Sara Evans, Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith, Ty Murray (7 time rodeo champ), Carrie Underwood and more to hear deeply personal stories about what growing up country means to them. Charlie Daniels is honored with the 2007 AMVETS Silver Helmet Award in Washington, DC in March and returns to Washington, DC to accept the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Public Service award in June. The CDB releases their first duet album, Deuces, with guest artists including Brad Paisley, The Del McCoury Band, Gretchen Wilson, Earl, Gary & Randy Scruggs, Bonnie Bramlett, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, Marty Stuart, Darius Rucker, Brenda Lee , Vince Gill, and Montgomery Gentry. November 19th Charlie is surprised with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was hosting his annual Christmas For Kids benefit show at the historic Ryman Auditorium when Opry member Martina McBride delivered the surprise Opry invitation. Daniels backed away, overcome with emotion while the crowd exploded with applause. “I can not even begin to tell you folks…this is very emotional for me,” said Daniels. “I never ever in my wildest dreams when I came to Nashville with my precious wife and son dreamed that this would happen. To think that now my name will be added along with all these great country artists. Thank you.” 2008: Charlie celebrates 50 years of music and is officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. March 4 th, Charlie Daniels is honored by the Country Radio Broadcasters at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards ceremony in Nashville, where he receives the Career Achievement Award. Charlie Daniels releases Preachin’,Prayin’,Singin’ dvd When Charlie Daniels performed in Nashville in 2005 to debut songs from his Grammynominated bluegrass-gospel album Songs From the LongLeaf Pines, the evening took a historical turn. Daniels surprised his Country Music Hall of Fame audience by inviting several of his personal bluegrass heroes to jam with him onstage at the Ford Theater in Nashville. Guest pickers included Mac Wiseman, members of the Scruggs family (Earl, Gary and Randy) and McCoury family (Del, Ronnie and Rob), and singers Sharon, Cheryl and Buck White. 2009: CHARLIE DANIELS VISITS TROOPS OVERSEAS The Charlie Daniels Band returns (April) for their third overseas visit of U.S. military troops in Kuwait and Iraq. The legendary musician toured bases in Ar Ramadi, Balad, Al Qayyarah, Tikrit and Kuwait, performing for thousands of appreciative servicemen and women. Stars for Stripes, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing celebrity entertainment to troops deployed overseas, organized the seven-show, nine-day visit. “The reason I enjoy going to Iraq is because for a few days I am honored to walk among the finest young people America has to offer,” Daniels wrote in his website Soapbox. THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND PERFORMS IN HONG KONG September 19, The CDB performed for the 8th Foreign Correspondentsʼ Club Annual Charity Ball at the Hong Kong Convention Center. CDB VISITS KOREA The CDB performed in Yongsan Garrison in Seoul and Camp Casey in Dongducheon, Korea following his trip to Hong Kong. The tour was sponsored by IMCOM-Korea, Family & MWR Division. CHARLIE DANIELS INDUCTED INTO MUSICIANS HALL OF FAME Charlie Daniels, along with Chet Atkins, Billy Cox, Dick Dale, Victor Feldman, Fred Foster, Paul Riser, and Toto were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame on Oct. 12th, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. Dickey Betts, former guitarist for the Allman Brothers Band, hosted Daniels' induction. The CDB performed the legendary hit, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Betts joined the CDB to jam on "Southbound," a song the Allman Brothers recorded for their 1973 album, Brothers and Sisters. Other guest performers included Rascal Flatts, Steve Wariner, Beach Boy Al Jardine, Union Gap’s Gary Puckett, Stevie Ray Vaughn/Double Trouble’s Chris Layton and Tony Joe White. CHARLIE DANIELS RELEASES A CHRISTMAS BLUEGRASS CD/DVD Blue Hat Records/E1 Entertainment has released a new Christmas cd/dvd, Joy to the World, a Bluegrass Christmas with Charlie Daniels and friends (October 13th). The collection of Christmas standards features guest performances by Jewel, The Grascals, Aaron Tippin, Kathy Mattea, Evelyn and Suzanne Cox from the Cox Family and Dan Tyminski. Songs include O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy To The World, The Christmas Song, Silent Night and more. 2010: CHARLIE DANIELS RECEIVES T.J. MARTELL HONOR Charlie Daniels was honored in New York City Oct. 27, the day before his 74th birthday with the Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award from the T.J. Martell Foundation during the organization's 35th Annual Awards Gala. Daniels performed at the event, along with Enrique Iglesias and Colbie Caillat, while Jaron and the Long Road to Love were in attendance. Other honorees included Kenny Loggins and the late Ronnie James Dio. Loggins was presented with the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award. Dio, who died of cancer earlier this year, was honored with a tribute. The T.J. Martell Foundation's Awards Gala was a benefit for the organization that raises money to support research for treatments and cures for cancer, leukemia and AIDS. CHARLIE DANIELS JAMS with WIDESPREAD PANIC IN NASHVILLE Charlie Daniels rocked the house Oct. 6th when the legendary musician joined popular jamband Widespread Panic at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. Daniels surprised the sold out crowd when he appeared on stage, fired up his fiddle and jammed with WSP. CHARLIE DANIELS INDUCTED INTO IEBA Charlie Daniels was inducted into the International Entertainment Buyers Association Hall of Fame on Oct. 5th. Daniels delivered the closing keynote speech at the annual conference of the IEBA in Nashville and was presented with a plaque to conclude the induction. LAND THAT I LOVE PATRIOTIC COMPILATION The CDB's next cd release will be Land That I Love, a Patriotic compilation (rel date 8/10) with two new cuts being released for digital download on July 4th (Iraq Blues and What This World Needs is a Few More Rednecks 2010) on Blue Hat Records/E1 Ent. "NOW THAT'S HOW YOU START A TELEVISION SHOW, SON!" Charlie Daniels helped kick off the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards April 18, in Las Vegas alongside Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and John Fogerty with an electrifying version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic, "Travelin' Band." In a reference to his popular GEICO commercial, the legendary fiddle player concluded the award show's opening performance when he looked straight into the camera and declared, "Now that's how you start a television show, son!" The GEICO/Charlie Daniels commercial was featured prominently during the three-hour ACM awards show, as well. CHARLIE DANIELS EARNS STAR ON THE MUSIC CITY WALK OF FAME Music City, Inc. has announced the seventh class of inductees to the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar: The honorees, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Kid Rock, Tootsie Bess, and Ernest Tubb were recognized with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers Nov. 8, 2009, in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville, sponsored by Great American Country. 2011: LET 'EM WIN OR BRING 'EM HOME a new song written by Daniels Legendary artist and proud American Charlie Daniels has released a special patriotic track through Hopesong Digital/GMV Nashville called "Let 'Em Win or Bring 'Em Home." A new original cut written by Daniels and recorded by The Charlie Daniels Band, "Let 'Em Win or Bring 'Em Home" is available at www.charliedaniels.com, www.GMVNashville.com and all major online digital outlets, including iTunes, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com. The song is receiving standing ovations when played live. THE CDB RELEASES LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL IN HD VIDEO The Charlie Daniels Band has partnered with Topspin Media to document one of The CDB’s signature live concert performances. Implementing LiveJam HD technology, The CDB has made their April 15, 2011, show with Widespread Panic in Birmingham, AL, available for sale in high definition video. The Hopesong Digital release can be purchased for digital download and in hard copy DVD format at www.charliedaniels.com. CHARLIE DANIELS celebrates his 75th birthday Charlie turned 75 on Oct. 28th and celebrated with an appearance at the Country Music Hall of Fame and a birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry. The Country Music Hall of Fame hosted a panel, "Brothers & Sisters: The Rise of Southern Rock" with moderator, Michael McCall and a panel including Charlie, Bonnie Bramlett of Delaney and Bonnie, former Capricorn Records publicist Mike Hyland and Ed King, formerly of Lynyrd Skynyrd. After wrapping up the panel at the Hall of Fame, it was time to get ready for the Grand Ole Opry and a birthday celebration Charlie will never forget. The Whites, Clint Black, Little Jimmy Dickens, Lee Greenwood, the Grascals and Gretchen Wilson were among the performers on hand Saturday for Charlie's big night. During the CDB set, Charlie took a moment to acknowledge the recent passing of the CDB's legendary keyboard player Joel "Taz" DiGregorio, who was killed in a car accident Oct. 12. "This is the first time this band has played the Grand Ole Opry that he was not sitting back there at that piano," Charlie told the crowd. "We miss him terribly." Charlie then dedicated their emotional performance of 'Amazing Grace' to Taz. The audience responded with a standing ovation. Before Charlie and the band launched into their final song, Tennessee National Guard Major General Max Haston took the stage with a special surprise, making Charlie a brigadier general in the Tennessee National Guard, an honor no other country entertainer has ever been given. "I am just flabbergasted," Charlie said in receiving the honor. As the stage filled with officers from the Tennessee National Guard congratulating Charlie, he told the crowd, "We owe these people an unbelievable debt of gratitude."Charlie joined his wife Hazel, friends & family backstage to cut his birthday cake as the celebration continued. 2012: CHARLIE DANIELS RECEIVES ACM NOMINATION WITH AARON LEWIS For VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company Country Boy – Aaron Lewis Featuring George Jones & Charlie Daniels (R&J Records) Produced by: Aaron Lewis, James Stroud Charlie Daniels and friends along with special guests salute veterans to support Lipscomb University’s ’s Yellow Ribbon Program Actor Gary Sinise will join legendary musician Charlie Daniels in a special free event to support Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, Charlie Daniels’ Scholarships for Heroes. Performances by Daniels and Sinise along with Chris Young, Darryl Worley, The Grascals and Rascal Flatts were part of the program set Mar. 6, 2012, at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena, Nashville. Behold A Pale Horse, new song by Charlie Daniels Charlie Daniels released a new track (Jun. 2012) through Hopesong Digital/GMV Nashville called “Behold A Pale Horse”, the title track of the movie Behold A Pale Horse. The new song is available at www.charliedaniels.com, www.GMVNashville.com and major online digital outlets, including iTunes, and Amazon.com. Charlie Daniels will Dedicate The CDB’s Sept. 9th Concert at Indian Ranch to Longtime Bandmate Taz DiGregorio Charlie Daniels is dedicating his Sept. 9, 2012, concert at Indian Ranch in Webster, Ma, to longtime band member and keyboardist Joel “Taz” DiGregorio, who was from Southbridge, Ma. . DiGregorio was tragically killed in a car accident last October. Three Music Icons and Humanitarians to Receive Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and Randy Owen will be honored at a gala cocktail reception and musical tribute on Wed., Oct. 17, 2012, at War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville. These three music luminaries, who have also distinguished themselves as humanitarians, have been selected as the 2012 recipients of the prestigious Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award. The Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, named for the first executive director of Leadership Music, was created in 2004 to recognize a music industry leader who exemplifies the highest quality of leadership and leading by example. Charlie Daniels on MNF with new version of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” The Charlie Daniels Band had a starring role in ESPN’s Monday Night Football “open” when Peyton Manning & the Denver Broncos went to Atlanta to face Matt Ryan & the Falcons (Sept. 17, 8:30 p.m. ET) The open featured Daniels’ 1979 hit song The Devil Went Down to Georgia. Originally written as a narrative about the Devil, who comes to Georgia to procure souls, Daniels recorded new lyrics for the song this week at Twin Pines Studio in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., that highlight the MNF matchup and both teams’ star quarterbacks. This is not the first time Daniels has appeared in a MNF open. The famed fiddler was part of the all-star band that was featured each week during ESPN’s first MNF season in 2006. LET 'EM WIN OR BRING 'EM HOME spawns new video Blue Hat Records has released a special patriotic video for the single track, “Let ‘Em Win or Bring ‘Em Home, a new song written by Charlie Daniels in April, 2011, The video is a tribute to our soldiers who are serving our country, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Directed by David Corlew The original cut, recorded by The CDB, is available at www.charliedaniels.com, www.GMVNashville.com and all major online digital outlets, including iTunes, Amazon.com & Rhapsody.com. The song continues to receive standing ovations when played live. BUFFETS, INC.® AND CHARLIE DANIELS HELP MAKE CHRISTMAS MERRY FOR GUESTS AND MILITARY FAMILIES WITH EXCLUSIVE CD Charlie Daniels and Buffets, Inc.® will be bringing holiday cheer to guests and military families with the launch of a new Christmas CD called Hallelujah It’s Christmas Time Again. Available exclusively in Buffets, Inc. restaurants, the CD features a wide range of classic and original holiday music including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Hallelujah,” as well as a special bonus track reading of Daniels’ “Carolina Christmas Carol.” In the spirit of the holidays, profits from the CD will be donated to the Armed Services YMCA® (ASYMCA) for Operation Outdoors, a camp program that assists the children of military personnel during deployment. 2013: Blue Hat Records signs distribution agreement with RED Distribution and MRI Associated labels, The Charlie Daniels Band’s ‘Hits of the South’ is the first Release , Feb. 19, 2013, under the new agreement . On the new cd , the CDB pays tribute to their musical heritage with Southern Rock favorites like, "Freebird," "Long Haired Country Boy" and "Can't You See". The CDB was there during the beginning of the Southern Rock movement and continues to rock audiences across the country on tour each year. Jason Aldean and Lee Greenwood surprise guests at Charlie Daniels' Scholarship for Heroes concert at Lipscomb Univeristy in suport of Lipscomb's Yellow Ribbon program Charlie Daniels was surprised while hosting a free concert in Nashville on March 5, 2013, to support Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program as part of the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes event. The multi-award winning Jason Aldean and Lee Greenwood walked unannounced onto the stage to offer their support for our military. The concert also featured return performances by Chris Young and The Grascals, as well as Keni Thomas, Bleach and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka, and included a presentation with Mary Byers, President of Gold Star Mothers, Inc., an organization of mothers who have lost sons or daughters while in service of their country. Icons unite for huge Food City 500 Celebration The Charlie Daniels Band Rocks the House for Pre-Race concert CDB hits Bristol Motor Speedway March 17, 2013 for Food City 500 pre-race show. Prior to drivers receiving the command to start their engines , the CDB delivered their special brand of music, invigorating race fans before the green flag falls on one of NASCAR’s most exciting events. 2014: Clint Black, Kellie Pickler, the Grascals, U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, American Hitmen headline Lipscomb University’s Charlie Daniels’ Scholarships for Heroes tour event on March 25 CDB releases Off the Grid - Doin' It Dylan 1st CDB studio release since 2007 released Apr. 1st *a tribute to Bob Dylan-10 Dylan songs by CDB video released from "Off the Grid - Doin' It Dylan" for 'Tangled Up In Blue' Daniels made media rounds for support of the new release including stops at at Kathie Lee & Co. (March 26th), Huckabee (March 29th), Morning Joe (March 31st), Access Hollywood (March 31st), Hannity (March 31st), Fox 411 (March 31st), The Artie Lange Show (March 31st), SiriusXM 'Artist Confidential' (March 31st), The Today Show (April 1st), ABC NewsNow (April 1st), The Better Show (April 6th), The Cain Conversation plus more. CDB Off the Grid 2014 concert tour: At age 77 Charlie is still rocking the stages performing over 100 concert dates this year plus performances on the Grand Ole Opry Charlie Daniels gets CMA Music Fest crowd pumped The Charlie Daniels Band opened CMA Music Festival's final night with the strutting "Southern Boy," and then Daniels saluted early employer Bob Dylan with a version of Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue."Daniels played a Gibson guitar on "El Toreador," then went back to fiddle for the crowd-pleasing "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." July 4th, The Charlie Daniels Band celebrated Independence Day with performance of “My Home,”a song written by Emmy Award winning songwriters, Doug Katsaros and William Schermerhorn. The recorded performance was synced to dazzling pyrotechnics for the 38th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® ignited the sky over New York City – Live from the Brooklyn Bridge. Charlie Daniels talks about the Tennessee Volunteers on the SEC Network (ESPN) August 14 Charlie Daniels, Darius Rucker, Ashley Judd, Melissa Joan Hart, Emmitt Smith, among others were part of four SEC Storied documentaries on the new SEC Network, a 24/7 sports network that launched August 14 , operated by ESPN. In “The Stars Are Aligned,” 14 famous figures—each represents a different college in the Southeastern Conference. Charlie Daniels named Chairman of the Board for The Journey Home Project, a not-for-profit organization founded by Charlie Daniels in 2014. with board members: David Corlew, Joe Longever, Ed Hardy, and Mercedez Longever , managing director,. The Journey Home Project exists to assist other not-for-profits in securing funds to help causes that benefit Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Charlie Daniels hosts benefit event for The Journey Home Project at the Nashville Palm on Sept. 9th. The evening included performances by, Mandy Barnett, Ryan Weaver and Rodney Atkins. David Rutherford joined the event as a top motivional speaker, who served honorably in the SEAL Teams for 8 years as a medic, operator and instructor. All proceeds from the Charlie Daniels benefit were donated to The Journey Home Project. This benefit marked the organization’s first signature event. The JHP helps to secure funds for other not-for-profits that benefit veterans of the United States Armed Forces.