An Interview with Charlie Daniels – His New Christmas Release!
Charlie Daniels is the coolest man on earth — a legend of music and a multi-instrument singer-songwriter in the world of country and southern rock. His name is known and respected in many circles, and he is the only man who has beat the Devil in a fiddling contest!
Charlie Daniels is also a devoted Christian, and he does not hesitate to tell anyone that Jesus Christ is his personal Lord and Savior. He is a member of The Grand Ole Opry and the Musicians Hall of Fame, and he is noted for his signature smash hit “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” Besides being a successful solo artist, Daniels co-wrote a song that Elvis Presley recorded, entitled “It Hurts Me.” He played bass on three Bob Dylan albums and fiddle on The Marshall Tucker Band’s early albums. He has also composed scores for movies, and he has been in commercials, as well as several television stints. It was a real treat and privilege for me to interview Charlie. You could hear a genuine kindness and honesty in his voice. He treats people the way God expects us to treat each other. He loves what he does, he sincerely appreciates his fans, and he gives credit to God for all his success and blessings. It’s clear that God uses Charlie Daniels as a vessel to draw people closer to His Word and His works.
He also has a genuine love of Christmas time and what it truly represents, and he enjoys helping organizations that assist the less fortunate during the holidays.
Rocking God’s House: Can you tell us about your new download “Twas The Night Before Christmas”?Charlie: The download is our Christmas card. We started using electronic Christmas cards sometime back, and you can download it at our website.
Rocking God’s House: Why do you have such an affinity for Christmas?
Charlie: Christmas is the birth of my Lord, my Savior, my hope — the Way, the Truth, and the Light. The day the world was reborn.
Rocking God’s House: Tell us about your involvement with Christmas 4 Kids?
Charlie: It was started by the bus drivers of several country artists a few years ago. They got together and got the idea that it would be a good thing at Christmas time to go out, take the buses to get some underprivileged kids, and give them some money to spend for Christmas. It started with a few; now we’re up in the hundreds! I got involved about 10 years ago, and since then it has started to snowball. This year Garth Brooks is involved with a contribution. We have a show every year in Nashville. This year we had Justin Moore and Phil Vassar perform with us! The main thing that it does is show these kids that somebody cares about them.
Rocking God’s House: You and I have a connection — my cousin Jimmy Potts works for you. What does he do for The Charlie Daniels Band?
Charlie: Jimmy drives the equipment truck for us and has for years now. His son Chris is our merchandise man. Jimmy is a valuable part of our outfit. He is responsible for the main part of our show and that is the stage equipment. Without him none of this can happen!
Rocking God’s House: Do you ever dress up as Santa?
Charlie: I have! I actually dressed up as Santa for an album cover we did one time!
Rocking God’s House: What is your favorite Christmas song to perform?
Charlie: I really enjoy performing the Nat King Cole tune “The Christmas Song” I also love doing our original song “Jesus is the light of the world”
Rocking God’s House: What is your favorite Bible Verse?
Charlie: Psalm 91. I travel a lot, and it is a psalm of protection; and I committed it to memory a long time ago. It is a source of comfort if you’re traveling. My band and I put in close to 90,000 to 100,000 miles a year performing in the United States alone. They are not just sentences in a book. They are a promise God has made to His people, and I hold dear to that information always.
