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Daniels, a member of the Country Music Hall of
Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, died from a stroke, according to a
statement from his publicist, Don Murry Grubbs.
A fiddler, guitarist, singer and songwriter, Daniels founded The
Charlie Daniels Band in 1972 and maintained a busy tour schedule
for decades with more than 100 dates each year. The band's hits
included "Uneasy Rider," "Long Haired Country Boy" and "In
America."
"I love what I do," Daniels said in a bio posted on the band's
website. "I look forward to entertaining people. When show time
gets here, I’m ready to go, ready to go play for them. It’s a
labor of love."
The 1979 song "Devil Went Down to Georgia," which featured
Daniels on vocals and fiddle, has been called one of the best
country songs of all time. The song, the story of a young man
who challenges the devil to a fiddle-playing contest, won a
Grammy for best country vocal by a group.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Daniels began his career
playing in a bluegrass band before moving to Nashville to work
as a session musician for artists including Bob Dylan. He also
recorded gospel albums and won a Dove Award in 1995.
In 1980, Daniels played himself in the movie "Urban Cowboy"
starring John Travolta.
"An outspoken patriot, beloved mentor, and a true road warrior,
Daniels parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum
career and a platform to support the military, underprivileged
children, and others in need," a statement on the band's website
said.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Chris Reese and Aurora
Ellis)
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