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Some musicians are a lot like some books. They contain a lot of good material beyond their copyright date. People still open them and pore into their content. Time references have no meaning-the context still stands on its own. Charlie Daniels' life is an open book that people still refer to when looking for a country musician/mentor and all-around leader. He has shared more than 30 years of his life in recording music and is chock-full of not only stories but songs that reflect those heart-felt stories. He's been playing guitar, mandolin and fiddle ever since he was a teen and has been copyrighted as country. His life, however, is still being written in a style all its own with each passing album. He still rings a life-saying that bears repeating: "If somebody wants to talk to me about Jesus, I'm ready to talk. If someone needs prayer, I'm ready to pray with them."
People keep coming back to his inevitable openness and caring disposition that's seen on and off stage. As Charlie humbly says, "I'm just an instrument that, hopefully, He plays on. I'm just a guy with a pen in his hand that God gives the ideas to put down on paper. Left unto myself, I'm nothing. I'm not the kind of person people look up to as some heavy-duty saint. But I know I love the Lord."
Having toured with some of the top country and rock artists, including Hank Williams Jr., Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others, Charlie continues to leave numerous individuals with a little part of his life, through his song messages, that point to the table of contents in his life-God, his wife, son, other family and friends-and in that order. Although he's rubbed shoulders with most of the top names in the music business and had songs recorded by Elvis, Tammy Wynette and countless others, Charlie is the same inside as he is on the outside cover.
The Tennessean powerhouse has been able to tap into several markets without any labels on him. Though it's not expressly stamped in ink on the front cover, you know without a doubt for Whom he stands. Charlie's songs convey an overwhelming sense of his relationship with Christ and the enjoyable and enduring sides of that relationship.
The most recent chapter in Charlie's life-book contains his 29th album, Steel Witness. The album cover illustrates the mission of his life. Designed by his son, Charlie says of the record jacket, "It's a steel cross that we're to hold on to, and it symbolizes the music. We're called to battle, and we've got to let our witness be as steel. The cross will always be there for us. What Jesus did on the cross overshadows the world. The album talks about how the world needs to know Who's going to be there and Who really stands for something."
Steel Witness features a library of sounds and story songs, all written by Charlie, that have traditionally been catalogued as his country/bluegrass style. "A Day In The Life" is a thunderous, engulfing account of a storyline of biblical prophecy and displays the entire album's focus-the time we live in and future events on earth and in heaven. The album brings to light the world as it is, more vividly than just a book could do, through the driving sounds and the intensity of the spoken word. Backing Daniels on several songs, including, "A Day In The Life," the triumphant Easter song, "He's Not Here," and the old-time revival/aisle-dancing song, "Jesus," is the nationally known, Nashville-based Christ Church Choir.
The prayerful, testimonial, "Heart Of My Heart," is a duet with Dale Rossington-a singer and wife to a band member in the Lynyrd Skynyrd band. Charlie wrote the song specifically for the two to sing.
Also providing background assistance is a soulful mix from the black gospel veterans The Fairfield Four on "Somebody Was Prayin'," also Charlie's first video from the album. The gospel swing blends a new country sound with a contemporary, hymn-like chorus.
On the other end of the spectrum, "Tribulation" borders his famous "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" in its musical feel and testifies of the days we're living in as John prophesied in Revelation. The selection is blatant enough to ask the listener to "take your Bible off the shelf and read Revelation yourself." The Cox Family, known for their gospel/bluegrass and for whom Charlie wrote the song, provide background vocals which round out the back-porch, pickin' cut.
A song Charlie feels will be picked out as a point of confrontation is "Payback Time," written about people in government, who Charlie says, "are blatantly doing things that go against God's will. It may work out for them now but where are they going to be when it comes down to 'payback time?' I hope it gets some people thinking.
"I've never been the kind of person who worried about how I was perceived. Just being perceived was the main thing. I'm no stranger to controversy. With this new album, the world will take me to battle over it, and I'm ready for it. I've got the truth of all truth to back up what I say. In fact, I've thrived over controversy through the years."
Regardless of song subjects, you'll probably think differently about the music of Charlie Daniels once you open his new album and read the outright, bold lyrics.
Charlie's stance on gospel music reads something like this: "I've been doing gospel music for years and years in concerts. I've just never recorded an album until The Door. I've always wanted to do a gospel record while I've been on a mainstream label. I am more satisfied and happy with this project than I have ever been with any album. It's not particularly different from anything I've done before, except for the lyrics. If you listen to my old records of the '70s, the vocal parts and guitars are reminiscent of that style and era. Every album stands by itself. It's not a collection of 29 records that are similar. It depends on what music comes to me."
"My music can't be pigeonholed. The good thing about it is that it's not limited to country. I can play all kinds of music, and I tend to do that. I play whatever comes to me and whatever feels natural. I cut my teeth on bluegrass, but I mix styles. I sometimes play jazz, country and rock all in one song."
Charlie attributes his musical career to the countless leaders and mentors in his life. "Bob Johnston is the one who brought me to Nashville. He's a record producer, and I'll forever be indebted to him. I played on some Bob Dylan albums, and that helped me to be recognized as a musician. It's the blessings of God and the way they manifest themselves through other people. I give God credit for every good thing that's happened to me."
Besides music, Charlie is a hardworking husband to Hazel of 33 years and a father to son Charlie. He's also a fisherman, hunter, golfer and cowboy. Riding horses and roping is another sketch of Charlie's outdoor life. A North Carolina native, Charlie says, "It's my heritage." He's also working on writing a biography and wants to someday record a children's album, cowboy album and write a Broadway show. "I have a zest for life and for my profession, and I never run out of things to do. I've always got a reason for getting up in the morning and for doing something productive with my day. That makes life exciting and makes you want to get on with it."
Charlie comes back to the prologue of his life-book when considering his purpose as a musician/singer/songwriter. "I've devoted my life to music, and I don't know how to do anything else. It's my chosen profession that I dearly love, and I have no reason to retire. I can't imagine doing without this and haven't planned my life past this band. I eat, breathe and sleep music, and I'm constantly wanting to come up with new ideas and new songs. I love what I do, and I never get very far away from it."
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