He participated in the birth of Southern Rock as a sub-genre and was there for the Outlaw Movement. He kept making hits you could hear just as easily on a Classic Rock station as you can on a Classic Country station.

Charlie Daniels was the real deal. His North Carolina heritage and his ability to use the Southern story-telling technique to make amazing music was as second-nature to him as sawing on the fiddle.

As Jamey Johnson said today, “Charlie taught us the difference between a violin and a fiddle.” Trust me, when you saw Charlie with that instrument there was no doubt in your mind it was a fiddle when he got finished.

The thing about Charlie is the people loved him. I remember seeing him in Chickmauga back several years ago. There were long-haired bikers, rednecks and white-haired little old ladies cheering at the top of their lungs when he lit into “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. Probably the best was when Charlie sat on a stool, just him and his guitar and without any other accompaniment sang “How Great Thou Art.” About the time he got to the part “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee…” the cigarette lighters lit up the grounds like it was a rock concert and you could see people singing along with the words to that old hymn.

He was known for his Volunteer Jams where you could see folks from all genres of music sharing the same stage. Roy Acuff might be followed by Dickie Betts or The Marshal Tucker Band. Bill Monroe, Styx, Little Richard, Vestal Goodman, Ricky Skaggs, George Thorogood…didn’t matter to Charlie. He wasn’t interested in what label you put on it, he was just there for the music.

Charlie was loved by the people and he showed that love right back to them. He was opinionated and never shied from his beliefs, but he treated people of all beliefs with respect. Whether you agreed with him or not – you couldn’t help but love Charlie Daniels.

All our radio heroes….they are leaving us behind; but what a legacy they have left us.

Rest in peace Mr. Daniels.