We Weren’t Ready To Say Goodbye

Charlie Daniels was 83 years old when the meter stopped running this week. Eighty-three years old and performing like he was 53 earlier in 2020 when people could still sing, dance and play. I never knew Nashville without Charlie Daniels in it. We weren’t ready for him to go!

In my 40-year Nashville career, goodbyes have been said to many. For this passing especially, social media allowed the masses to pour out their feelings, and pour they did! Post after post a story about Charlie pausing for a picture or a pleasantry. Again and again, fans and fellow stars saying Charlie was the nicest Country music star ever. A big statement, but from all observations he seemed to be.

Charlie made his presence known when he was wearing that big old hat and carrying that fiddle. When Charlie the star was in gear, what a force. On stage his shows started like a missile launch.

Big heart, big sound and such a pro to work with. As an interviewer and a show producer, Charlie was easy to work with, never complicated and he never disappointed. That damn hat was always hard to light. Eventually you threw light up from the floor if you were on a big time show or shoot.

Charlie was one of those who made you happy when you crossed paths, every time. On screen, on a video, he had a commanding presence. By now you have heard it all, and all that good stuff was true: Christian, patriot, family man, loyal, honorable. Like our friend Minnie Pearl, Charlie Daniels knew how to be a star! Heaven is a brighter place, and our world here a little less so.

The Coronavirus clipped the Charlie Daniels Band’s wings like it has everybody. Blake Shelton’s people seem to think he can do what Garth Brooks did and fill those drive-in movie theaters with a recorded concert for $114.99 per car in those same places Garth played. If anyone can pull this off it’s Blake, along with special guests Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins.

The star in-person drive up concerts the Live Nation way are happening this weekend in thee markets. Hope they turn out good. These shows are more the blueprint that could get Nashville back on the road.

Those name change stories came up again. Lady A (of Nashville) suing Lady A (Anita White of Seattle). The band is not asking for any money, just a ruling that both can be Lady A. White is reportedly demanding $10 million for sharing the name. Off to court we go.

The former Dixie Chicks are talking, to the New York Times and others. They changed the name after seeing an Instagram post labeling the Confederate flag “The Dixie Swastika.” They said that for a long time they wanted to “separate” themselves “from people that wave that Dixie flag.”

Willie Nelson is working on a Roger Miller project and another Frank Sinatra album. Like many other stars, Willie has gone from the road to the studio. Willie’s sons are keeping him busy, but you know Willie loves to be in front of people making money and playing! I would love to hear that Roger Miller music done Willie style. Can’t you just hear it? “Chug-a-Lug?”