Pride, Prine, and Duffie are just a few of the country music legends we lost in 2020. Charlie Daniels was another icon among the long list of country legends we said goodbye to in the past year.
The 83-year-old passed away on July 6, 202, due to suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. Fans remember Daniels for being a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. In addition, he’s undoubtedly remembered for his fiery fiddle track, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Daniels also recorded with folk singer Bob Dylan and was a vocal supporter of U.S. veterans.
However, his memory lives on through his distinctive, unique music and his nonprofit organization that supports those who served.
On Wednesday, Daniels’ Instagram account shared a heartbreaking tribute to signify six months had passed since his death.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been six months since we lost Charlie. We miss him every day, and will continue to honor and build on his legacy.”
Despite the mournful sadness we feel, knowing he’ll never play his feisty fiddle again, his memory lives on.
Charlie Daniels’ Memory Continues, Signed Fiddle Gifted To Healthcare Volunteer
To emphasize Daniels’ charitable heart, this past Christmas Eve, the Freedom Sings Arkansas Program Director Paul W. Tull delivered a Charlie Daniels autographed fiddle to Sheila Beatty-Krout after winning the instrument in a fundraiser.
Shortly before Daniels’ death, his representatives gifted the fiddle to Krout for her hard work as a volunteer. Krout spends her free time working at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.
“FSA is a nonprofit organization providing a caring environment of support for military Veterans, active-duty men and women, military spouses and surviving family members. Their personal stories are put to music through the art of songwriting.
Through this powerful experience with ‘Veterans healing Veterans’ and the opportunity for continuous participation, FSA empowers servicemen and women and assists in their healing with song,” a news release said.
“The mission is to help veterans, active-duty military and their families reach emotional balance by telling their stories through the creative process of songwriting. Songwriting along with peer support helps provide veterans and their families the tools necessary to cope with trauma or readjust from military service.
Those served need no musical background, only the desire to tell their story. In a typical session, the songwriter listens and encourages the participant to lay out the ‘puzzle pieces’ of his or her experience. Together, they arrange those pieces into verses and choruses,” it said.
Daniels’ support of veterans culminated when he co-founded The Journey Home Project, which aims to support veterans in any possible.
