Along the way, Daniels became an unofficial spokesman for the everyday American man and woman by putting into songs his opinions and concerns about politics, injustices and patriotism. "In America," "Simple Man" and "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag" became instant hits and garnered the straight-talking Daniels much publicity for his unapologetic views.
He has lent his talent and time to numerous charitable causes, including hosting two annual golf tournaments. The Charlie Daniels Celebrity Golf Classic & Angelus Concert - in its 14th year - in Hudson, Fla., benefits The Angelus, a full-time residential facility and day school program for the severely handicapped. The Charlie Daniels Golf Classic in Wichita, Kan., now in its 20th year, benefits Starkey, a non-profit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities.
Daniels has been a longtime supporter of the T.J. Martell Foundation and its many events supporting cancer research, charity work that became very personal.
In 2001, Charlie and The CDB "rocked the house" at Country in the Rockies, a ski and music event in Colorado benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation and the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) in Nashville.
Later that year, Daniels was struck with cancer and became a patient, benefiting from the very research he was helping to fund.
In January 2004, he returned to Country in the Rockies singing and speaking from his heart about the work that made him cancer-free.
Daniels now sits on the VICC's Board of Overseers.
The singer is also on the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Professional Advisory Board. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for it's pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., the hospital freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world.
Accolades and awards fill two pages of Daniels' biography, with honors ranging from CMA Awards to GRAMMYs to Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. Daniels also won a Parents' Choice Gold Award in 1997 for his By the Light of the Moon: Campfire Songs and Cowboy Tunes children's album.
With seemingly no musical challenge left to conquer, Daniels has released his first bluegrass album, a collection of bluegrass hymns titled Songs From The Longleaf Pines.
