Charlie Daniels was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” his number-one country hit. Daniels began his singing career in 1958 and had his first hit in 1973 with the novelty tune “Uneasy Rider,” which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After forming his own band, “Charlie Daniels Brand,” in 1970, Daniels became a part of the first wave of southern rock bands. Daniels was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. For his unmatched contributions to Southern rock, country, and bluegrass music, Daniels received several honors, including induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 2008, the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Daniels, however, died at Summit Medical Center in Nashville on July 6, 2020, at the age of 83, from a hemorrhagic stroke.
Charlie Daniels’ Net Worth :
Charlie Daniels, professional career as a singer and songwriter earned him a good living. Daniels had surely amassed a large fortune from his numerous compositions, albums, and concerts, having worked in the profession of music for nearly 60 years.
His net worth was over $20 million at the time of his death, with profits totaling over $46 million.
What was Charlie Daniels Famous for?
- Famous for his number-one country hit, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”.
Where was Charlie Daniels Born?
Charlie Daniels was born in the United States on October 28, 1936, in Wilmington, North Carolina. Charles Edward Daniels was his given name when he was born. He was an American citizen. Daniels was of White ethnicity, and his zodiac sign was Aquarius.
Charlie was the only child of Christian parents William Carlton Daniels (father) and LaRue Hammonds (mother) (mother). His father, William, worked as a lumberjack, and his mother worked as a housewife.
He honed his skills on a variety of musical instruments as a child, including the fiddle, violin, mandolin, and guitar. Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, rhythm & blues, and country music were all part of his musical diet as a child.
He went to Gulf, Chatham County, North Carolina, as a teenager and even founded the “Misty Mountain Boys,” a bluegrass band. He graduated from Goldston High School in 1955, then he went to another state, and the newly formed band was finally disbanded.
When Did Charlie Daniels Die?
Charlie Daniels died of a hemorrhagic stroke on July 6, 2020, at the age of 83, at Summit Medical Center in Nashville. Daniels left a legacy of good actions in the shape of music that will live on in perpetuity. His wife and children are his only survivors.
Daniels had previously suffered a stroke on January 15, 2010, while snowmobiling in Colorado. He was rushed to the hospital and released two days later. Unfortunately, he did not make it this time.
Additionally, Daniels sustained a major arm injury on January 30, 1980, while excavating fence post holes on his farm near Mount Juliet. He broke three bones in his right arm and fractured two fingers, necessitating surgery and a four-month recuperation period. In 2001, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated successfully.
On March 25, 2013, during a clinic visit, Daniels was also diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia and was admitted to a Nashville hospital for a battery of routine tests.
Charlie Daniels’ Career Highlights:
- Charlie Daniels began his career as a musician after forming a rock n roll band called “The Jaguars” in 1959. He wrote several songs but couldn’t found success.
- Daniels got his first recognition after he wrote “It Hurts Me” with Joy Byers, which was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1964.
- He also produced the 1969 album by the Youngbloods titled “Elephant Mountain”.
- In 1970, he formed the “Charlie Daniels band” and recorded his first solo self-titled album, “Charlie Daniels”, in 1971.
- His first hit was the novelty song “Uneasy Rider”, from his 1973 third album, “Honey in the Rock”. It reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
About “Fire on the Mountain”
- His band released “Fire on the Mountain” in 1974 which went on to become the band’s first big success. They then released other songs including “Nightrider”(1975) and “Saddle Tramp”(1976).
- Daniels played fiddle on Hank Williams, Jr.’s 1975 album, “Hank Williams, Jr. and Friends”.
- In 1979, his band released the hit song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” from the album, “Million Mile Reflection”. The song was an instant hit that reached no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance.
- His platinum album “Full Moon”(1980) was also hit that produced two hit singles, “In America” and “The Legend of Wooley Swamp”.
- In 1980, Daniels participated in the country music concept album, “The Legend of Jesse James”.
- In 1999, Frank Wildhorn’s musical “The Civil War” features his unusual speaking voice.
- He composed and performed songs for the film “Across the Line” in 2000.
- He made a cameo appearance alongside Larry the Cable Guy, Kid Rock, and Hank Williams, Jr. in Gretchen Wilson’s music video for the song “All Jacked Up” (2005).
- In 2009, Daniels was featured on television playing the fiddle in a commercial for GEICO auto insurance.
- Daniels was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2016.
- On October 24, 2017, Daniels released his memoir, “Never Look at the Empty Seats.”
- Daniels published a new side album project for a new band named Beau Weevils on October 26, 2018.
- Additionally, Daniels was politically active, having written an Open Letter to the Hollywood Bunch in 2003 in defense of President George W. Bush’s Iraq policy.
Honors :
- Inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
- Inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame in 2002.
- Honored as a BMI Icon at the 53rd annual BMI Country Awards on October 18, 2005.
- Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on January 19, 2008.
- On his honor, a park named after him in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
- Inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009.
- Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
- Declared a Living Legend by the Nashville Network in 1999.
Awards:
- Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” in 1979.
- Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album in 1996.
- Pioneer Award in 1998 from the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Charlie Daniels’ Wife and Children:
Charlie Daniels only married once in his life, and that was when he died at the age of 83. Hazel Juanita Alexander was his first and only wife, whom he married on September 20, 1964. Their wedding was held on Boulder Street in Tulsa, with only 12 guests in attendance, including his four bandmates.
The couple only had one kid, Charles Edward Daniels Jr., during their 50-year marriage. In addition, Daniels is a die-hard Tennessee Vols supporter. Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and other outdoor pursuits were among his favorite pastimes.
Charlie Daniels’ Height:
At the time of his death, Charlie Daniels was a handsome guy in his early 80s. Daniels had won many hearts all across the world with his soothing voice and charming charm. He stood 6 feet tall. 2 inch His physical weight was roughly 75 kilograms.
Quick Facts About Charlie Daniels
Celebrated Name | Charlie Daniels |
---|---|
Age | 84 Years |
Nick Name | Charlie |
Birth Name | Charles Edward Daniels |
Birth Date | 1936-10-28 |
Gender | Male |
Profession | Country Music Singer |