Six Years Later, Legacy and Comfort Zones - Soapbox Jr.
“There's a lot to be said for staying in your comfort zone, but a lot more to be said for getting out of it. Let's all make the day count.” - Charlie Daniels
That quote from Dad especially resonates with me on the eve of our first The Legend of Charlie Daniels show.
When you get right down to it, I haven’t been in much of a comfort zone since before the pandemic in 2020, and especially post July 6.
Not that it’s all been uncomfortable, but I’ve been in a lot of situations I wouldn’t have expected to be before Dad left us. Since July 2020, I’ve given speeches, I’ve accepted an award on Dad’s behalf at ACM Honors, I’ve tried my hand at podcasting and recorded the audiobook for Dad’s daily devotional-style book, “Let’s All Make the Day Count: The Everyday Wisdom of Charlie Daniels.”
None of these are in my comfort zone, but as the man said… there’s a lot to be said for getting out of your comfort zone. The school of thought is that if you stay where you’re comfortable, you may not ever reach your full potential. The extreme version of that would be just existing versus truly living, thriving and excelling.
Some people are okay with just being comfortable, and that’s fine for them.
But to quote Dad again, this time from his commencement address at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 1996:
“But if you’ve got a fire in your belly and adventure in your soul, if you want to see the world, if you’re ready to kick over the traces and knock down some doors, if you’re not willing to accept anything less than something spectacular, I can certainly understand that.
That’s how I felt in the summer of 1958. I was making a living at my chosen profession, I was playing music. But it wasn’t my music. There was too much world out there that I hadn’t seen. I had a compelling hunger and a burning desire to pursue my dreams, wherever they led.”
Dad’s comfort zone, and the one that seemed the most obvious was following in his father’s footsteps, and going into the timber business, specifically long leaf pine trees which North Carolina is known for, but he chose something different because music was in his soul, and he followed his passions, even if it was a long and bumpy road to success.
He chose to strive for his dreams rather than settle for the ordinary.
It may not be for everyone, but excellence should be something we all strive for, no matter our walk of life.
So, two days before the sixth anniversary of Dad’s “changing addresses” (Trademark - Bill Wolfenbarger) I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone – again – to be part of the stage show for The Legend of Charlie Daniels on July 4th in Ft. Campbell.
I’ll be emceeing the CDB/Legend section of the show and we will probably have a surprise or two along the way.
Six years ago, I could have never in a million years imagined being where I am now. July 4th 2020 was a low-key event, socially distanced on the back porch at Twin Pines Ranch, and if I’m not mistaken, our dear friend and longtime bus driver, Dean Tubb was also there for some socially distanced hot dogs.
Later, I swam laps in the pool while Mom and Dad watched me, and I took breaks to talk to them. If I had known it was two days before the last time I would see him, I would have taken more.
But Dad was called home on July 6th, and it still doesn’t seem real sometimes.
But I’m honored to be part of this celebration of the country we both love so much, and to have him, his memory and his music at the heart of it.
It’s been six long years since The Charlie Daniels Band took the stage with Dad, but now, we’re bringing back a big part of the band – Definitely NOT a tribute band - and the closest thing we can to Dad himself.
There has been a lot of hard work with Noah Gordon and the folks at 8 Track Entertainment, Frederico Junqueria and his team at Sambaway Interactive who have had to listen to me critique and nitpick even the smallest of details so that we get it right.
The loss that I felt – and still feel – never quite goes away. I’ve had to suck it up, and made myself get through listening to Dad’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” without getting teared up.
In addition to the 8 Track and Sambaway teams, I’d be negligent if I didn’t acknowledge the people that kept the CDB rolling along for so many years, people like Roger Campbell, J.B. Copeland, Jimmy Burton, DeAnna Winn, David Corlew, Bebe Evans, Paula Szeigis, Angela Wheeler, Randy Owen, Jimmy Potts, Chris Potts, Brian Madaris, Bob Workman and the countless others – including those who moved on, passed away or came along before - who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and kept this organization running for almost 50 years.
And to the past and present band members, including Ron Gannaway, Chris Wormer, Shannon Wickline, Bruce Brown, Charlie Hayward, Pat McDonald, Jack Gavin, Sparky Matejka, Taz DiGregorio, Tommy Crain, Freddie Edwards, Jim Marshall, Don Murray, Carolyn Corlew, Barry Barnes, Gary Allen, Mark Fitzgerald, Earl Grigsby, Jeffrey Myer and Buddy Davis. I’d add the great Billy Cox to the list, but he predated the CDB’s Established 1972 foundation date, but we appreciate his contributions as well. And to Billy Crain who was a part of the band for the 2021 Volunteer Jam as well as the two rookies, Andy Varner and Kevin Ray joining us for the first time on the 4th of July.
Thank you to all who helped us get to where we are today, and to those helping me keep Dad’s legacy alive for generations to come.
I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
We now embark on a new era for the CDB, one that I hope will bring some comfort and excitement to those who have missed the energy, passion, faith, patriotism and just down to earth goodness that Dad embodies in his music and his general outlook on life and the world.
We need that… we need him more than ever.
- Charlie Daniels, Jr.
That quote from Dad especially resonates with me on the eve of our first The Legend of Charlie Daniels show.
When you get right down to it, I haven’t been in much of a comfort zone since before the pandemic in 2020, and especially post July 6.
Not that it’s all been uncomfortable, but I’ve been in a lot of situations I wouldn’t have expected to be before Dad left us. Since July 2020, I’ve given speeches, I’ve accepted an award on Dad’s behalf at ACM Honors, I’ve tried my hand at podcasting and recorded the audiobook for Dad’s daily devotional-style book, “Let’s All Make the Day Count: The Everyday Wisdom of Charlie Daniels.”
None of these are in my comfort zone, but as the man said… there’s a lot to be said for getting out of your comfort zone. The school of thought is that if you stay where you’re comfortable, you may not ever reach your full potential. The extreme version of that would be just existing versus truly living, thriving and excelling.
Some people are okay with just being comfortable, and that’s fine for them.
But to quote Dad again, this time from his commencement address at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 1996:
“But if you’ve got a fire in your belly and adventure in your soul, if you want to see the world, if you’re ready to kick over the traces and knock down some doors, if you’re not willing to accept anything less than something spectacular, I can certainly understand that.
That’s how I felt in the summer of 1958. I was making a living at my chosen profession, I was playing music. But it wasn’t my music. There was too much world out there that I hadn’t seen. I had a compelling hunger and a burning desire to pursue my dreams, wherever they led.”
Dad’s comfort zone, and the one that seemed the most obvious was following in his father’s footsteps, and going into the timber business, specifically long leaf pine trees which North Carolina is known for, but he chose something different because music was in his soul, and he followed his passions, even if it was a long and bumpy road to success.
He chose to strive for his dreams rather than settle for the ordinary.
It may not be for everyone, but excellence should be something we all strive for, no matter our walk of life.
So, two days before the sixth anniversary of Dad’s “changing addresses” (Trademark - Bill Wolfenbarger) I’ll be stepping out of my comfort zone – again – to be part of the stage show for The Legend of Charlie Daniels on July 4th in Ft. Campbell.
I’ll be emceeing the CDB/Legend section of the show and we will probably have a surprise or two along the way.
Six years ago, I could have never in a million years imagined being where I am now. July 4th 2020 was a low-key event, socially distanced on the back porch at Twin Pines Ranch, and if I’m not mistaken, our dear friend and longtime bus driver, Dean Tubb was also there for some socially distanced hot dogs.
Later, I swam laps in the pool while Mom and Dad watched me, and I took breaks to talk to them. If I had known it was two days before the last time I would see him, I would have taken more.
But Dad was called home on July 6th, and it still doesn’t seem real sometimes.
But I’m honored to be part of this celebration of the country we both love so much, and to have him, his memory and his music at the heart of it.
It’s been six long years since The Charlie Daniels Band took the stage with Dad, but now, we’re bringing back a big part of the band – Definitely NOT a tribute band - and the closest thing we can to Dad himself.
There has been a lot of hard work with Noah Gordon and the folks at 8 Track Entertainment, Frederico Junqueria and his team at Sambaway Interactive who have had to listen to me critique and nitpick even the smallest of details so that we get it right.
The loss that I felt – and still feel – never quite goes away. I’ve had to suck it up, and made myself get through listening to Dad’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” without getting teared up.
In addition to the 8 Track and Sambaway teams, I’d be negligent if I didn’t acknowledge the people that kept the CDB rolling along for so many years, people like Roger Campbell, J.B. Copeland, Jimmy Burton, DeAnna Winn, David Corlew, Bebe Evans, Paula Szeigis, Angela Wheeler, Randy Owen, Jimmy Potts, Chris Potts, Brian Madaris, Bob Workman and the countless others – including those who moved on, passed away or came along before - who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and kept this organization running for almost 50 years.
And to the past and present band members, including Ron Gannaway, Chris Wormer, Shannon Wickline, Bruce Brown, Charlie Hayward, Pat McDonald, Jack Gavin, Sparky Matejka, Taz DiGregorio, Tommy Crain, Freddie Edwards, Jim Marshall, Don Murray, Carolyn Corlew, Barry Barnes, Gary Allen, Mark Fitzgerald, Earl Grigsby, Jeffrey Myer and Buddy Davis. I’d add the great Billy Cox to the list, but he predated the CDB’s Established 1972 foundation date, but we appreciate his contributions as well. And to Billy Crain who was a part of the band for the 2021 Volunteer Jam as well as the two rookies, Andy Varner and Kevin Ray joining us for the first time on the 4th of July.
Thank you to all who helped us get to where we are today, and to those helping me keep Dad’s legacy alive for generations to come.
I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.
We now embark on a new era for the CDB, one that I hope will bring some comfort and excitement to those who have missed the energy, passion, faith, patriotism and just down to earth goodness that Dad embodies in his music and his general outlook on life and the world.
We need that… we need him more than ever.
And thank you to all the CDB fans out there who loved his music and saw him faithfully any time he was in town. He loved performing for you, and making music. He was grateful for all of you.
Speaking of...
We’re also releasing a new version of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” which drops tomorrow on all major streaming platforms. The recording features Chris Wormer, Bruce Brown and an original vocal by Dad which will be the vocal used for The Legend of Charlie Daniels show, and NOT an AI reconstruction. Pre-Save HERE
And getting to do all of this on the 250th birthday of our great nation is just icing on the cake.
Now I’ve got to go get a little uncomfortable and be all the better for it.
I hope you’ll join me.
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13 NIV
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Long live The Legend of Charlie Daniels!
What do you think?
Let’s all make the day count!
Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.
God Bless America!
#SonyReleaseHonkyTonkAve
#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22
#NOTaTributeBand
Speaking of...
We’re also releasing a new version of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” which drops tomorrow on all major streaming platforms. The recording features Chris Wormer, Bruce Brown and an original vocal by Dad which will be the vocal used for The Legend of Charlie Daniels show, and NOT an AI reconstruction. Pre-Save HERE
And getting to do all of this on the 250th birthday of our great nation is just icing on the cake.
Now I’ve got to go get a little uncomfortable and be all the better for it.
I hope you’ll join me.
“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13 NIV
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Long live The Legend of Charlie Daniels!
What do you think?
Let’s all make the day count!
Pray for our troops, our police, the Peace of Jerusalem and our nation.
God Bless America!
#SonyReleaseHonkyTonkAve
#BenghaziAintGoingAway #End22
#NOTaTributeBand
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Check Out the "My Home" Lyric Video Just in Time for America 250!
Check Out The Charlie Daniels Podcast!