Charlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels has kicked around the music business since his teen years, playing guitar and fiddle for many different groups while writing songs, including "It Hurts Me," which was recorded by Elvis Presley. Daniels went on to become a popular session musician, playing fiddle on such discs as Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline and Ringo Starr's Beaucoups of Blues. In 1972, he formed the Charlie Daniels Band, building on the southern rock model. Their first hit, "Uneasy Rider," came in 1973, and then in 1979 he became a crossover sensation with the single, "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." Ironically, after years of struggling as a country-rock band, his transfer to pure country with "Devil" was his first and only big country hit.
The Charlie Daniels Band continues as a very popular live draw, although his albums often don't chart well. He followed up the multi-platinum Million Mile Reflections with Full Moon and Windows. He returned to his roots with the gospel-flavored Songs of the Longleaf Pines in 2005 (not his first gospel album), gaining him a Grammy nomination for the instrumental "I'll Fly Away."
Previous Grammy Wins:
- Best Country Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group - "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" - 1979
Current Grammy Nominations:
- Best Country Instrumental Performance - "I'll Fly Away"
(Bio courtesy of Kathy Coleman)