2010 Soap Box Archives

Back on the Road

Somebody asked me the other day how I was feeling after the stroke I had in mid January and I answered that if you listened to my doctor I was doing fine but if you listened to the trash magazines I was about to die.

I never saw the article but one of the supermarket tabloids took it upon their lascivious little selves to inform the world that a deathwatch had started and I was on my last leg.

Well, due to that minute piece of tripe - and any other possible rumors that could be floating around out there - I wanted to set the record straight.

After suffering a small vessel stroke on the 15th of January, I immediately began receiving excellent medical care. I also enrolled in physical therapy to alleviate some stiffness and numbness in my left hand.

I had two goals in mind, to get completely healthy and to get in shape to go back on the road with my band February 27th.

As I write this column I am sitting on my bus in the parking lot of Holiday Inn Express in Ft. Pierce, Florida where, this evening, we will kick off another full touring season.

To say I'm looking forward to it would be an understatement.

Playing music for people has been part of who I am for over fifty years and holds a very special place in my heart of hearts. I have devoted my professional life to being a performer and wouldn't trade jobs with anybody in the world.

Such is my respect for my profession and the people who come to see us every year that if I felt I couldn't do the kind of energetic and entertaining show they have come to expect from us I would no longer do it.

Well, I'd like to say in spades that this is definitely not the case. I'm setting flat on ready, chompin' at the bit and ready to rock.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the outpouring of love I have received from so many people over the last few weeks. The cards, letters, emails, phone calls and flowers have poured in profusely and I sincerely appreciate each and every one.

I have learned some valuable lessons from my sickness. I've learned that if you're going to have good health, you have to practice good health on a daily basis.

Diet and exercise, getting enough rest, reducing the stress in your life and putting things in their proper priorties, you can't solve all the problems in the world, not now, not ever.

Alcoholics Anonymous has a prayer that goes, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Always remember that doctors treat, but God does the healing and that He is in charge and wants nothing but the best for you.
Thank you America, for being my friends for over a half century.

I'm coming at ya again this year, and I'm loaded for bear.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, and for our country

God bless America

Charlie Daniels

©Copyright The Charlie Daniels Band