Charlie Daniels—dead? It can't be true! Talk about a guy who was larger than life. If you ever saw his iconic beard or watched him play the fiddle or heard him sing (country, rock, or Christian—he did it all), you never forgot him.
A few years ago, Diana and I met Charlie Daniels as part of an interview for Moody Radio. Like most truly great people, he was as humble and homespun as his blue jeans. Jeans accompanied by a large brass belt buckle that read, "Jesus is Lord."
Most of us know CD’s music—but not as many know that he used his platform to support the military, underprivileged children and others in need. Or that he closed every one of his famous “Soap Box” blogs (last one posted July 3) with “Pray for our troops, and for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Charlie toured Israel in 2008, and he never got over it. During our 15-minute interview, he bubbled about the wonder of all that God has done in and through Israel. And boy—could he quote the Bible! It was amazing to hear so much memorized Scripture rolling off his tongue.
Given backstage passes, we marveled as this 80-year-old hopped up the stairs when the lights came on. And when Charlie reached the edge of the stage, he jumped high and landed with a stomp that kicked the whole concert into high gear that never backed down.
Not that Charlie Daniels backed down from much of anything. From his faith to his firearms, Charlie was bold. May we be the same for Christ.
The devil may have gone down to Georgia–but Charlie Daniels has gone to heaven!