Still Out-Fiddlin’ the Devil
By Deborah Evans Price, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
At some point in time, we’ve all gone to a concert that was so incredible we wished we could take it home and experience the magic over and over again. Of course, with the proliferation of live DVD releases these days, that wish is a reality. Still it’s hard to find a DVD that captures the spirit and energy of a great live experience, but Charlie Daniels’ Preachin’ Prayin’ Singin’ does just that.
Filmed in Nashville in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s intimate Ford Theater, the evening showcased music from Charlie’s 2005 album Songs from the Longleaf Pines, an homage to the gospel music of his North Carolina childhood.
The DVD features Daniels performing with such bluegrass legends as Mac Wiseman, Earl Scruggs and his sons Randy and Gary, and Del McCoury with sons Rob and Ronnie. It also features Grand Old Opry stars The Whites – daughters Sharon and Cheryl and their father Buck – providing those amazing signature harmonies.
Charlie says his approach to that evening was very unstructured. “We just kind of let nature take its course,” he says of the jam session. “[When] you’re playing with a bunch of excellent musicians, they know what they are doing; so just go in and have fun. The basic thing about entertaining is it’s all fun. Enjoy yourself. If you’re enjoying yourself, then the crowd is going to enjoy themselves.”
As Charlie celebrates his 50th anniversary as a performer this year, that philosophy has served him well. BMI, a Nashville-based performing rights organization that distributes songwriter royalties, honored Charlie earlier this year with a huge industry party. Charlie’s fan club celebrated with him in June. Billboard dedicated a special section in the magazine to his career achievements, and there have been other notable honors.
It’s been a busy year, but one event stands out in his memory. “The biggest thing that happened to me this year was getting inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, if I had to pick one event,” says Charlie. “I really appreciate the BMI party and everything and all that has been done in conjunction with the 50 years, but I couldn’t have a nicer 50th present than actually becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. That was a huge deal for me. I can’t even articulate actually how big a deal it was to me.”
