By Rosie Moore
Someone once said, “Music is the food of the soul.” I don’t remember who said that, but I agree entirely. I love all kinds of music, be it opera, jazz, country, gospel, Classic, whatever, it charms my soul. And it’s been around for thousands of years. Some say for over 40,000 years. Think of Paul and his harp in the Old Testament in the Bible. Music is found in every known culture and religion, past and present, varying widely between times and places. It is probable that the first musical instrument was the human voice itself, which can make a vast array of sounds.
Now I want to write about someone who brought us music for over nearly seventy years, who was known for his American flag-print shirt, sunglasses, and his signature cowboy hat, but especially known for the music that he brought to our ears. He was a member of the touring circuit for forty years. He passed away recently but he will be forever known as one of country music’s most outspoken conservative voices. I’m remembering Charlie Daniels.
Born in 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina (I love that place, spent an afternoon on one of its beaches), he brought new audiences to country music. Most of us remember his famous tune, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” which won him his only Grammy award in 1979 and later he and his band performed it in the movie, “Urban Cowboy.” He grew up inspired by church music and local bluegrass bands. He worked with Bob Dylan and was a tireless advocate for servicemen and women. He earned his last Grammy Award nomination in 2005, for country Instrumental Performance on “I’ll Fly Away.”
He was weak and speechless when hearing the news, he would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, along with Randy Travis and Fred Foster. He said, “I’m so glad it went this way. This is the cherry on top of the icing. It doesn’t go any further. That’s where the cake stops.”
He will be sorely missed but his songs will go on forever.
Thought for the day: Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. FDR
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