The
grave site of music legend Charlie Daniels, who died July 6, 2020.
Photo by William
Haupt III / The Center Square
“Only two things protect America, the grace of Almighty
God and the United States Military. It will always be that way as long as
America remains a free and sovereign nation.”
– Charlie Daniels
The small town of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, a haven for
country music singers, musicians, performers, artists and writers has been in
the news too much lately. When a killer tornado in March 2020 blew through our
storybook suburb, this southern Shangri-la was put on national display. Mt.
Juliet was no longer a quaint upscale bedroom hamlet for Nashville’s famed
Music Row recording artists. The pride of Music City and Dixie’s Bible Belt was
now making headlines for its unanticipated tragedies.
Just two days after the streets of Mt. Juliet were filled
with patriotic men, women and children who celebrated the greatest day in
American history, July 4th, Mt. Juliet’s heart was broken again. On the morning
of July 6, 2020, in Hermitage, Tennessee, our most prodigious patriotic and
loved citizen, Charlie Daniels, passed away after a massive stroke. Unlike the
devil’s breath that ripped Mt. Juliet apart, the city will never fully recover
from losing the man who loved America greater than life itself.
It would take a book longer than “War and Peace” for this
guitar-picking Nashville transplant from Hollywood to eulogize Charlie Daniels,
one of America’s most valued patriots and adored citizens. He was more than
just a great Nashville country artist; he was a spokesman for American freedom,
liberty and patriotism. And Charlie didn’t need his violin to pontificate his
message across America.
“I don’t twist words. I speak the truth. I couldn't care
less about politically correct.”
– Charlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels is one of the most accomplished
signer-songwriters in U.S. history. Charlie played with Marty Robbins, Claude
King, Flatt & Scruggs, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Al Kooper, Ringo Starr
and with Bob Dylan on six albums. He won 6 BMI Country Music Awards beginning
in 1976 for "The South's Gonna Do It Again." In 2008, Charlie was
asked to join the Grand Ole Opry. And in 2016, Charlie Daniels was unanimously
inducted into Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame.
For those of us who were honored being Charlie’s
neighbors, we thought of Charlie each time we reached the fork in the road at
Central Pike and admired his slate wall covered with colorful tributes to
American veterans. When we voted at Charlie Daniels Park we drove by the statue
erected in his honor for the park he funded.
“We want everyone to know who made it possible.”
– Rocky Lee
It was not uncommon to see Charlie at the local home
center, or hear him speaking at high school graduations or local church
services. He sat in the bleachers at little league and high school games and
other events. In 2009, when invited to give the opening speech at the Wilson
County Tea Party at Charlie Daniels Park, due to a last minute schedule change
he recorded it instead. He said, “I’m proud ya’all are here today and are ready
to protect and defend what America means to all of us.”
Charlie Daniels raised millions for veterans' groups. He
founded the Charlie Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle
Tennessee State University to help veterans train for new careers. MTSU
President Sidney McPhee said, "Charlie’s love of life and country was radiant
and inspiring. He will live on, not only for his music, but for the tremendous
generosity he showed to many of us.”
Charlie shined the light on the many causes dear to his
heart. He had compassion for disabled veterans and their families and put on shows
for them around the nation. He founded the Journey Home Project in 2014, to
help those who needed help the most. Charlie’s Band performed their first
“Volunteer Jam” in 1974 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, now an
annual event.
For a man of his entertainment industry stature, he was
thoughtful, unselfish and humble – except when it came to politics. Whether or
not you agree with Charlie’s conservative views, one thing that can’t be
questioned is his passion that American democracy comes first and his belief
that every politician is obligated to do what is best for America and
Americans, not some far off foreign nation.
“I just thank God I can make a living while doing so much
for the country I love.”
– Charlie Daniels
Charlie frequently reflected the frustrations of
Americans who felt that the east and west “coastal elite” politicians were
moving the country farther away from its core traditions and its values. Many
politically savvy country fans believe his song “Simple Man” captures his sense
of his socio-political frustrations.
“I ain't nothin' but a simple man, they call me a
redneck, I reckon I am. There's things going on that make me mad down to the
core. I'm madder'n hell and ain't gonna take it no more.”
Although Charlie never officially endorsed any
politician, country stations began replaying “Simple Man” just before the last
presidential election. And many of his fans believed it was because he
expressed what so many principled patriotic Americans did at the time.
Charlie’s words reflected the very feelings Americans shared who voted for
Donald Trump “to make America great again.”
Charlie Daniels was never timid when expressing his
political beliefs and the last few weeks were no exception. He recently said,
“It’s time for America to stop the rancor and division and get things together.
It’s time America moved forward and put aside our differences and heal our
wounds. We waste too much energy and political capital and don’t get anything
done paying too much attention to political correctness and things that don’t
mean anything. It is time we stop chasing rainbows.”
Charlie’s final TV interview summed up his beliefs.
“Democrats and media don’t understand. Those of us who support the president
don’t have hate in our hearts. We have deeply held beliefs in what is wrong and
right. These aren’t shaped by the media, but what we learn from our parents,
pastors and Bibles. Our call for law and order isn’t a threat, but a desire to
protect the innocent from harm.”
Charlie was an outspoken conservative who constantly
tweeted his support for Trump and disdain of his detractors. Charlie surly
appreciated Trump's last tweet. President Trump said, "We will miss
Charlie Daniels who passed away yesterday in Hermitage, Tennessee. Charlie was
a great country and rock star as well as a patriot. My condolences to his wife
Hazel, and their family. He is in our thoughts and prayers tonight. I love
Charlie and his music!" Donald Trump, #RIPCharlieDaniels.
Those of us who knew Charlie can picture St. Peter handing
him a fiddle saying, "Now play us that song again that beat the devil. We
all love it up here!" Charlie was a pop music icon, a deeply religious
man, and generous to a fault.
To Mt. Juliet, Charlie was a neighbor, a friend and a
favorite son. He was the perennial root and nucleus of our community. He was
not only our favorite citizen, he was America’s favorite citizen. Above all,
Charlie loved America and was its greatest patriot!
“I love my country. I love my guns. I love my family. I
love the way it is now, and anybody that tries to change it has to come through
me. That should be all of our attitudes. Cause this is America! As a country
boy it is good enough for me.”
– Charlie Daniels
Contributing columnist William
Haupt III is a retired professional journalist, author, and citizen legislator
in California for over 40 years. He got his start working to approve California
Proposition 13.
Photo: William Haupt III at the entrance to the Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens where the late great Charlie Daniels is buried.
