|
views in ads not necessarily those of CGCN
By Ginny McCabe
Special to ASSIST News Service
NASHVILLE, TN (ANS) -- Legendary musician, Charlie Daniels expresses
his faith with a collection of well-known hymns in his latest
effort, “Songs From The Longleaf Pines,” on Nashville-based Blue
Hat/Koch Records.
“We just released a new album, Songs From The Longleaf Pines,” which
can be characterized as a gospel/bluegrass collection,” Daniels
said. “The new album reflects upon my strong belief in God and in
our great country.”
Daniels admits he is known for a variety musical styles, including
country, rock, bluegrass, blues and gospel, but with the release of
his latest project, he said he’s drawn to his gospel and bluegrass
roots.
“The first music I ever played seriously was bluegrass and I
developed a deep and abiding love for this pure and honest music,”
Daniels said.
 “Songs
From The Longleaf Pines” features numerous guest performances with
artists, including Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Rob and Ronnie McCoury,
Mac Wiseman and Earl Scruggs.
Some of the selections featured on the 13-song project include: “Fly
Away,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Softly and Tenderly.”
Born in 1936, he was raised on a musical background that included
Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, as well as, rhythm and
blues and country influences. In 1955, Daniels graduated from high
school, and already skilled on guitar, mandolin, and fiddle, he
formed a band and started playing concerts and touring.
“Songs From The Longleaf Pines” marks Daniels forty-five albums
since his first self-titled recording, Charlie Daniels (Capitol),
released in 1971. With numerous certified Gold and Platinum
recordings, and Grammy awards under his belt, he said he continues
to be himself and capture his own style through his musical
endeavors.
His musical reputation is considered outstanding, and his resume
includes recording sessions with artists as diverse as Bob Dylan,
Flatt and Scruggs, Pete Seeger, Mark O'Conner, Leonard Cohen, Ringo
Starr and Johnny Cash. His songs have also been recorded by Elvis
Presley and Tammy Wynette.
“When it gets down to the nitty gritty, I've just tried to be who I
am. I've never followed trends or fads. I couldn't even if I tried.
I can't be them; I can't be anybody but me,” he shared.
Most people outside of Christian circles, probably know him best for
his Grammy winning, 1979 hit, “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” from his
Million Mile Reflections project, which went to number one and
earned him a Grammy for Best Country Vocal.
While his credits have continued to pile up, Daniels said he remains
down-to-earth, and continues to be a committed, hardworking
musician. “You just take it a step at time, basically, is what you
do,” he said. “You try to do what you feel is your best shot. I
don't sit around and think about what might have been, or what was,
I am pretty much a realist, as far as, what's going on.”
When he takes off his hat, and cowboy boots, Daniels is as genuine
as they come. He doesn't even consider himself to be a legend.
“I don't look at myself like that. I am just looking at myself as a
guy who God has really blessed tremendously. I don't look at myself
as being anything special; better or worse than anybody else,” he
mused. “I don't really see myself in that light. If other people
catch me in that light, then that's them,” he shared.
Daniels said his Christian faith is a part of his every day
lifestyle. “Your parameters change when you are a Christian, and
everything goes through those parameters. You are conscious of
trying to do the right thing, and you try to think about (what you
do), and how is going to effect other people, and how it's going to
effect you. Things become much more (clear and) your focal point on
things comes (more from a Biblical perspective), especially moral
things, they become a lot more clear and defined,” he shared.
He said he continues to write songs. He said that he is always
coming up with new ideas from different places, and that he draws on
a variety of experiences when he writes.
“There is just no telling. It may be whatever is on my mind,
something that's going on in the country, or some frivolous little
thing. There is no one set way. Songwriting is a God-given talent,
and if you do it in a very serious way, you are very apt to write a
song almost anytime,” Daniels expressed.
Daniels has a love for God, music and a great love for people, and
he is one of the few artists’ who has successfully touched the lives
of people everywhere.
“I think part of what makes my music so timeless, is that it's
purely American music with something for everyone,” Daniels said.
“At least that's what I've hoped for in my 40-plus years in music.”
CG
|
