Posted on 06.11.2021

Volunteer Jam: The Legend Begins - Soapbox Jr.

*NOTE* I initially wrote this soapbox in June of last year in order to promote Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels, but with the release of the 'Volunteer Jam 1 1974: The Legend Begins' album - Now streaming EVERYWHERE and CDs available on Amazon or HERE - I decided to dust this one off and share it again. – CD, Jr.

In 1974 the CDB was working on an album which would be called ‘Fire on the Mountain,’ which would be the fourth album released on Kama Sutra Records, an imprint of Buddah Records.

The recording was done at the legendary Capricorn Studios in Macon, GA, where many southern rock bands recorded, including The Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Brothers and many more.

Dad worked hard on the album and got together the songs he felt were top-notch, including a few he had previously recorded, but felt they needed another take.

According to dad, on previous albums, he had tried to sound like other people, most likely because he spent about 10 years playing cover tunes in clubs and was always trying to sound like the original artists, so that carried over into the studio. It took him a few albums to try something he hadn’t before, to open up his mouth in front of the microphone and whatever came out, it would be all him, and no affectation or imitation of someone else. 

100% authentic Charlie Daniels.

They recorded the studio portion of the album, but dad wanted to include two live recordings, a song from the ‘Honey in the Rock’ album – later re-released on Epic Records as ‘Uneasy Rider’ – called "No Place to Go," and a cover of the old Ervin T. Rouse/Chubby Wise fiddle standard, “Orange Blossom Special.”

They were looking for a place to record, and because the CDB’s success had been limited at that time – “Uneasy Rider” was a top ten hit on radio, but didn’t translate into record sales – finding a venue where they could draw a crowd was critical. A live recording with hardly any crowd might as be done in the studio.

So, they looked to their home base of Nashville, TN, figuring they could draw the most people there, and settled on War Memorial Auditorium. It’s not a big place.  It holds about 2,000, but it meant that most likely there would be a full house, and the show was, indeed, a sellout.

They decided to call this one-and-done live recording session the Volunteer Jam because it was taking place in the Volunteer State of Tennessee. Dad also invited a few friends to join in and “jam” which is basically unrehearsed music created on the spot. Usually, it’s a blues riff or sometimes it may be a song that everybody knows and just kind of “wings it” following the lead of someone who is loosely directing the musicians, and letting them know when it’s time to take their solos.

For the Derek and the Dominos album, ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs,’ the jam sessions were legendary, with Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Bobby Whitlock, Jim Gordon and Carl Radle recording hours and hours of jamming. Those were finally pared down into a full CD on the ‘Layla’ box set released in the early 90s.

So, Toy Caldwell, Jerry Eubanks and Paul Riddle from The Marshall Tucker Band and Dickey Betts – who also performed the dobro solo on the “Long Haired Country Boy” studio track – all came down for the festivities.

A hot band from Nashville called Buckeye opened the show, and would have an impact on the CDB for many years to come. Two very talented brothers led Buckeye. Tommy and Billy Crain, and they also had a guitar tech named Roger Campbell. 

In 1975, three of the band’s members left at once, and that’s when Don Murray, Charlie Hayward and Tommy Crain joined the band, and a couple of years after that, Roger Campbell became guitar tech for the CDB, a position he would hold until July 6, 2020.

The show was a success. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a first-person account because…

I wasn’t there.

I was 9 years old and had seen dad perform many times, and went on the road with him and I figured it would be a really late night, and to be honest, I didn’t know how historical the night would be. Whoops.

But, I never missed another one. And there would be more. The show was a success and they did many more, and they were always a blast.

When the original vinyl albums were finally pressed, the record label included a 45 RPM disc (but oddly had a LP size hole in the middle) of the instrumental jam highlights.

Sadly, when Epic Records purchased the CDB catalog from Kama Sutra, the VolJam disc wasn’t included in any of the pressings from Epic.

So, there you have the condensed story of the very first Volunteer Jam and the two songs which helped make ‘Fire on the Mountain, a landmark album for the CDB.

I wish I had known what the Jam would be for dad and the band over the years. It was their semi-annual homecoming concert from 1974-1996 with few breaks here and there. I wish I had gone to the show and gotten to see and hear the performances… But..

One day a couple of years ago I was looking through our tape vault and I came across something which made my eyes almost pop out of my head.

It was a DAT – digital audiotape – of the 1974 Volunteer Jam.

Mind… blown…

I got our engineer to transfer it, and for the first time in my life – aside from “Orange Blossom Special and “No Place to Go”- I heard the CDB’s set from the very first Volunteer Jam, and even the jamming that followed along with some interesting covers.

Maybe we can do something with it someday. We’d sure love to share it with you.

As dad proudly proclaimed at the first and (almost) every Jam, “Ain’t it good to be alive and be in Tennessee!”

Let’s all make the day count!

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.

God Bless America!

#SonyReleaseHonkyTonkAve

#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22

—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.

 

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Check Out The Charlie Daniels Podcast!

Check out "Geechi Geechi Ya Ya Blues" from Beau Weevils - 'Songs in the Key of E'

 

 

Comments

Keep em Coming
Amen, Amen & Amen Charlie Jr, just like your dad I can visualize much of what you are writing about. Don't fret over missing the first Jam, you was only 9 years old and saw the rest. I never made any Volunteer Jams, but I was blessed to see him perform live twice and got to shake his hand twice, both memories I will always cherish. I will look forward to reading your insight into all of the Jams.....nuff said God Bless Plowboy
Posted by Plowboy
Volunteer Jam
That digital audiotape of the first Vol Jam would've terrific to hear, Jr! Hope you can follow up on that and share it with everyone. I never went to many concerts until the 1990's ... I don't know why because music is my passion. I saw the CDB in 1978 at Vol Jam IV, then saw Charlie and the guys again in 1981 or maybe it was 1982 in Seattle, Washington when they toured promoting the "Windows" album. I didn't attend another concert until about 1998 when I went to the old Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville to see Stevie Nicks. That kick started my concert going for many years to come and seeing almost all of my favorite bands from the era of Classic arena rock. Shortly after, I found out about the CDB Fan Club and joined where I spent many memorable years enjoying the comraderie at the annual parties in MT Juliet. I hope you can continue the Volunteer Jams for years to come as a lasting tribute to Charlie. Mark in Shelbyville
Posted by Mark
1st Volunteer Jam
Would love to hear The 1st Volunteer Jam again. I was there and it was a Great Concert from what I remember. It was during my Senior Year in High School. A lot of the concert I remember, but some I am not so sure of. Do remember Charlie saying for the first time," Ain't it great to be alive and be in Tennessee"! Also remember a friend hollaring, "Charlie Daniels, Charlie Daniels"! And Charlie response,"Bet your ass it is"! Almost sure they played Whiskey and Way Down Yonder that night, but without hearing the recording of that famous night, I am not for sure. Would really love to be able to relive that night again. I really hope you will release copies for the night is Historical!
Posted by Roy
Volunteer Jam
Thank you , CD,Jr. Once again you have added to my CDB information library. Never had heard about The Flat Creek Band. Did a deep dive and found a picture of the band taken in front of a U-haul truck. To my surprise , two long haired country boys were in the group picture. Rodger Campbell and David Corlew. Over forty years ago. Even heard your father hired Flat Creek's road crew when he added Tommy Crain to The CDB. Looking forward to the next Jam update.
Posted by Mark
Volunteer Jam (my history)
Started attending the Volunteer Jam In 1984, Jam X (Municipal Auditorium). Was hooked. Jam 11 ( snow and ice) Lucky to have made the show.. Jam 12,13,14,15 (Starwood Amphitheater). My favorite had to be Jam16 (TPAC ,Jackson Hall. Your fathers 60th birthday bash. The CDB Volunteers offered a VIP package. Got to mingle. The music was great. An acoustic performance. I attended a few of the On Tour Jams 99,2000,2001. The CDB teamed up with Southern Rock Bands. Love the cool Tn shaped tickets used for Jam 10 and 11. The Jam merchandise always featured a Raccoon (Tn state animal) At Jam 13 had "Rack Daniels, official mascot" make an on stage appearance. Looking forward to the Jam update and more inside information. It would be great to get some of the music and video released out of your vault. Maybe even cut a deal with CBS records and release the Honky Tonk Avenue LP. Keep up the great work Charlie Daniels, JR.
Posted by Mark