Monday, June 8, 2015

Britain's Finest Talks Beatles Greatness, Beatle Fandom & Being the First Beatles Tribute Band on Mars

Britain's Finest is one of the most authentic Beatles tribute bands to emerge in the last 20 years.

It's All-Star cast has been rapidly gaining both national and international attention with their hauntingly accurate recreation of all the iconic eras in The Beatles history.

Britain's Finest was featured twice on AXS TV's "World's Greatest Tribute Bands" held the top four spots in the Volume 5 compilation song chart of the same name available on iTunes.

On Chris Carter’s Sunday morning’s “Breakfast with the Beatles” show on KLOS 95.5,
Chris Carter said: “Interviewing Britain’s Finest must have been what it would’ve been like interviewing the Beatles.” Britain’s Finest was also featured in an article by Niki Payne on CBS Los Angeles, Best Tribute bands in LA, in which Payne wrote: “Britain’s Finest is as close to the real deal as you may ever find in this lifetime.” What's more, Lee DeCarlo, recording engineer for John Lennon’s “Double Fantasy” album said to the band after a performance at a private event: “You guys are really great, you remind me so much of the lads."

Britain’s Finest has performed at venues like: Knott’s Berry Farm, The Lawrence Welk Theater, Beatles Fair - San Diego, Summer Concert’s in the park, Hard Rock CafĂ© - Las Vegas, Encore, House of Blues - San Diego, Del Mar Fab Fair 2014, Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, San Felipe Hollywood Casino, Fountain Inn Performing Arts Center and many more. Summer 2015 the band is performing once again at Knott's Berry Farm.

So, what do Britain's Finest think about bringing the true Beatles Experience to fans everywhere?

Let's find out!


Question: What made you form Britain's Finest? 

Robert J. Bielma, George Harrison: We formed the band because of our love for the Beatles, their music, and because the message their music expresses. LOVE! And these sexy tight black trousers.

Luis G. Renteria, Ringo Starr: After years of us playing in different bands, we decided to form this one and be the best of the best. At least that what we tell ourselves. But of course it's also the love we collectively have as Beatle fans that brought us together. But, besides us being band mates we're also all close friends, a brotherhood of sorts, we've share one bed in many occasions, even though we had separate rooms.

Tyson Kelly, John Lennon: Well, I've always been a huge Lennon fan and was enjoying singing karaoke to his songs around town and realized I wanted to try my hand at performing the music live, I needed 3 other guys with the same love and passion for the Beatles and their music, so we formed Britain's Finest. But, the real reason is I genuinely love playing with these guys, they're my brothers - metaphorically speaking of course, they are not my actual brothers - we have a musical connection and when we're on stage performing together, it's magic somehow. I can't explain it, but the Beatle magic is captured again, not just, a bunch of guys wearing costumes, but the real thing.

Benjamin David Chadwick, Paul McCartney: We formed the band because of our love for the Beatles, and of course we wanted to be rich, famous, and travel the world. Quitting our day jobs was also a factor, being a Beatle for a living is a dream come true for all of us.

Question: So, who is the biggest Beatles fan of the group? Be honest! 

Robert J. Bielma: That's a hard question to answer, we're all going to say we're the biggest. But I can honestly say I've been a fan the longest, my parents would play Beatles songs to stop me from crying when I was a newborn, according to my mom, it worked like a charm. I've been a fanatic since.

Luis G. Renteria: We all are, really. I think a lot of the way we interact with our fans / friends has a big Beatle vibe to it. We love, respect, and dissect the music, of course. But through osmosis, somehow, we've taken on their sense of humor and love to spread
that side of the Beatles, as well. When I step back and observe the guys answering questions, I see the Beatles' sense of humor shine through. I think that's a sign of ultimate fandom / Beatle geeking, when you take on their (The Beatles) particular character traits and make people laugh in Paul's, George's, John's, or Ringo's voice.

Tyson Kelly: No, I love the Beatles the most, hold me!!

Benjamin David Chadwick: I think we ALL are. I say that because each of us, in different respects, love a certain facet of the Beatles. Robert, for instance is a VERY detail oriented guy. He can tell you what color underwear they had on during which particular concert. In a way it's sort of like we have different super powers that collectively bring us together to help fight crime... Crime being, hatred of Beatles. Luis is the pink ranger, he focuses on the business aspect of the Beatles. I'm the blue ranger and my focus lies in the complete seriousness that my character exudes. (Right?!) The Beatles themselves are the inspiration for our group. We think of them as REAL people who weren't just musicians, but were friends too. So we think it's important to bring that to the table.

Question: What Beatles song resonates most deeply with you, in terms of evoking emotion? 

Robert J. Bielma: Not just because I perform as George Harrison, but "Something" has always been a very loving and touching song. It's great from beginning to end. One of George's best. I always get a great crowd reaction after the guitar solo.

Luis G. Renteria: There's too many to list. John, Paul, and George really had a maturity to their lyrics. They were 20 something year old kids, writing with a depth commonly associated with older, wiser folk. They were philosophers and knew how to evoke emotion with their lyrics and melodies on a consistent basis. Nowhere Man stands out, in particular, for me.

Tyson Kelly: In My Life. It's a great song, with great lyrics, and a great melody. It has great written all over it!

Benjamin David Chadwick: Yellow Submarine. Or not. I suppose "Something" is a song that has a great vibe and a sweet sentiment. So... if I had to choose..."Something."

Question: When you perform you celebrate not only The Beatles but music itself - and the generation that first met and adored The Beatles. Does that responsibility weigh heavily on you?

Robert J. Bielma: I never thought of it that way, we go up there and just have fun. We've studied the music, and their on stage persona, but we're also a band of guys that love to joke around with each other, and that's the charm the Beatles had, each of them were likable. And that's what we try to bring to each show.

Luis G. Renteria: Oh yes, definitely. We are here to provide an authentic experience. I think it proved to weigh so heavy on Benny (Paul), that even though he is right handed, he learned how to play those Hofner and Rickenbacker Basses left handed. There was more pressure when we started out. But, rest assured, that generation of Beatles fans have set us straight after every show. And, we continue to learn from them til this day. I like when a new fan shares with us their story of when they first saw the Beatles. It's always different and the same, all at the same time. While we perform, we love seeing the faces of that first generation of Beatles fans, as they're transported back in time.

Tyson Kelly: If the venue that were playing it does not have a bar, we can feel the weight of the silver Audi. We obviously have to make a choice, before the show begins if these people start clicking the glasses then we know it's going to be a good one.

Benjamin David Chadwick: Of course! I surmise that, arguably, the Beatles are THE most important pop band EVER. We're just hoping to bring joy to the folks who appreciate the character and music of such a beloved band. That said, it's not easy to please such avid fans. People love the details. If we miss the details, we hear about it. So we work hard to bring the music and ideals behind it, to life.

Question: What is your favorite thing about performing?

Robert J. Bielma: Having fans of all ages enjoying the music The Beatles wrote and performed. I also love the applause and admiration, that's also is a plus. The fans love you as if you're the character you're portraying.

Luis G. Renteria: Everything! Absolutely everything! Most of all, getting to play the greatest music of all time, all the time. I love the technical element of the show. I love hanging with friends and fans after the show. And, I get to work with my best friends, Benny, Rob, and Ty.

Tyson Kelly: Absorbing all the attention gives a man more power than he knows what to do with. I am actually Ironman...but nobody knows it.

Benjamin David Chadwick: Personally, I enjoy seeing someone who hasn't attended a tribute act before. You can spot them by the way their faces light up when they catch us recreating something that they love about The Beatles. That moment when someone is, clearly impressed by something we've managed to capture in our performance.

Question: If you were invited to Buckingham Palace to sing for the Royal Family, what song would you perform? 

Robert J.Bielma: "Twist and Shout" all the way, so we can do the famous John Lennon line about rattling your jewelry. Plus, people always enjoy the more upbeat tempo songs.

Luis G. Renteria: Got To Get You Into My Life, in reference to the "bathroom incident" (wink, wink!). That's an in joke, you know!

Tyson Kelly: You're going to lose that pearl...

Benjamin David Chadwick: Angel Of Death by Slayer. That would confuse them nicely.

Question: What do you think is a misconception about The Beatles? Is it possible we really don't know everything about them? 

Robert J. Bielma: How well can you know anyone, really? I'm sure they each had their secrets they keep out of the lime light, their skeletons in the closet. 

Luis G. Renteria: A lot of people feel John was the "leader" of the group, but Paul "led" the group for most of the psychedelic era and beyond. We commonly attribute John as being "trippier" but we see that Paul had the heaviest impact in direction for their more critically acclaimed works like Sgt Pepper. I'm not sure we can know EVERYTHING about any one person or group but Beatle Fandom being what it is, there are a legion of documentarians who have researched and continue to research their lives. Maybe more than other more traditional historical figures, still.

Tyson Kelly: I think they were very good at appearing comfortable when they clearly were bombarded by the press for so many years. But they were trying to get where they were and by the time they achieved all the fame, I think they knew it was their destiny.  I'm sure there's lots of things that we will never know about the Beatles. You can read many books as you like but in the end we will just never know.

Benjamin David Chadwick: There are a few misconceptions that stand out to me.

The First: The Beatles are just the boy-band of their generation. ...mmmm that's partially correct. In terms of driving all the females (and males) wild, sure, that statement is viable. However, that sentiment is generally delivered in a negative tone, by folks trying to convince me that The Beatles are overrated. I would respond by saying, The Beatles wrote their own songs. NO boy-band I'm aware of, does that. All the music was performed live, NOT just the vocals as it is seen in modern groups. Were they directed, by management, to upgrade their image in order to make them (The Beatles) more marketable? Yes! Does that make them like all boy-bands? Yes! Do I care? Nope! If you write songs that stand the test of time for decades, wear a tutu and a hockey mask. I don't care.

The Second: Ringo is a lucky drummer who wasn't very good. Can you play EXACTLY what he played, without embellishing ANYTHING? Don't play what you THINK he's playing... Play WHAT he's playing. I've yet to meet a drummer who's made that claim against Ringo, and then can do what I just asked. It's harder than you think. Ringo wrote parts that fit the songs beautifully. You're missing out if you just write him off as "lucky", without REALLY listening to his work.

The Third: Yoko broke up the Beatles. - I know this one's indirectly about The Beatles, but for those of you that think that Yoko broke up the band, you're really insinuating that The Beatles were stupid people who let one person come in and destroy their union. The Beatles broke up The Beatles. That's the truth. If you hate Yoko, throw away your "Imagine" album among others. John was inspired by her and wrote great music on account of that inspiration. So get over it. And yes, of course it's possible to not know everything about the Beatles. In fact, it's impossible TO know everything about them.


Question: What are some of your favorite places to perform?

Robert J. Bielma: We love playing in front of people, so where ever people can gather, we enjoy performing for them. But, to name specific places, theaters, casino's, cruise ships, and performing art centers.

Luis G. Renteria: Beatles Festivals / Conventions are always the best! We get to nerd out with and perform for equally nerdy fans, like ourselves. Beatles fans are crazy! In the best way, of course.

Tyson Kelly: Wellllllll...Auckland New Zealand, and the Cellar Door in Visalia!

Benjamin David Chadwick: Mexico! Hermosillo! It is a beautiful place for us. The fans are so amazing!  We've had nothing but great experiences with that country!! But, honestly, anywhere we go outside of metropolitan areas, seems to really appreciate what we're doing. I hate to single anybody out. It's really great to be ANYWHERE that Beatles fans are!

Question: So, which band member looks the most like he could have actually been in The Beatles?

Robert J. Bielma: That would be me! Right guys?

Luis G. Renteria: Tyson (John). He's got good sideburns.

Tyson Kelly: Luis Renteria (Ringo), definitely!

Benjamin David Chadwick: Robert! He thinks he's sooooooo special! (Laughs...sort of!)

Question: If you could go back in time and meet The Beatles when they first stormed America, would you take like a million selfies of you with your favorite band member?

Robert J. Bielma: Selfies, of course. But they would  most likely take us on a night on the town, craziness would ensue. We met Ivor Davis, he was a British news writer assigned to cover the Beatles first American tour, he said the craziness that it entailed, became a great selling book, entitled "The Beatles and Me on Tour".

Luis G. Renteria: Just one, actually. I'd recreate that famous Ringo selfie, side by side with him. Him with his Pentax, me with my iPhone.

Tyson Kelly: No, just hopefully get a good hang session with them.

Benjamin David Chadwick: Absolutely not. I'd just admire them from wherever I was standing. I'd love to see them candidly, living in the moment. I wouldn't bother telling them how great they are AGAIN. If they wanted to talk to me, I'd dig that. But I'd leave them alone. Maybe I'd sneak a shot of them. I think I'd rather just live the moment, rather than capture it.

Question: What is the most unique gift a fan ever gave you?

Robert J. Bielma: I would say...a child. No, just kidding! A fan gave me a drawing of me as George Harrison. It's framed and it hangs on my living room wall. Great drawing!

Luis G. Renteria: A young gal named Lauren once drew us as cartoons. She captured our personal likeness, but in our "Ed Sullivan" costumes. We printed that image on T-shirts. Another young gal named Molly made muffins with our likeness in frosting form. I was a chocolate muffin and I was good!

Tyson Kelly: I would say the Rick 325 I play, it was a gift from Twen Ma, our benefactor and amazing soul of a man!

Benjamin David Chadwick: I got a fan-made, knit cap AND custom T-shirt.

Question: What will be the legacy of Britain's Finest?

Robert J. Bielma: That we were the most authentic and fun band to watch in the world. Also, the first Beatles tribute band on Mars!

Luis G. Renteria: They loved and respected The Beatles. So much so, they were willing to put on wigs to show it - despite their mum's warnings.

Tyson Kelly: Our recipe for chicken soup.

Benjamin David Chadwick: Our legacy will hopefully, be that we're the band that you feel like you know. In other words, we want to have our fans say, "yeah I met them and they were super friendly and approachable." I like to illustrate to folks that we're just big Beatles fans ourselves and we know that it's not rocket science. It's rock and roll. We're just trying to get away from the hard things in life for a couple of hours, and escape with you to, what feels like, a more simple moment in time. We're just guys that want to impress our friends and our fans ARE our friends. At least we hope so!

For more information or to book Britain's Finest,
contact CJ DiRoma at cjdiroma@stationave.com or call 215-644-8171. 





Monday, December 30, 2013

Jimmie Van Zant: Wild, Raw Southern Rock Greatness

Jimmie Van Zant was born in Jacksonville, Florida, a city known as "the home of southern rock royalty."
His mother spent hours every day playing gospel tunes on the family's upright piano encouraging Jimmie to start piano and guitar lessons at the age of six. Jimmie's home continued to be filled with music whenever cousin Ronnie Van Zant used his living room as a rehearsal space for the band that eventually became Lynyrd Skynyrd. The tragedy of Ronnie's death in 1977 inspired Jimmie to focus on his own music career to honor the life and legacy of his cousin.

Jimmie formed his own group, signed with a record label and recorded his first album. Southern Comfort included the single "Ronnie's Song" co-written by Jimmie as a tribute to his beloved cousin. He still plays this number as requested at his live shows. With conviction Jimmie has shared: "I have always believed that music can change peoples' lives and if I can do something to make someone's life a little more enjoyable, then I feel I have done my job well. That is why I am here and that is also the reason why there is Southern Rock." With a microphone in hand and his family in his heart, Jimmie honors his 'Freebyrd' family legacy with the music that is rooted in his soul in every song he sings.

Jimmie sat down with STARCHAT to share his thoughts on music today, Jimmie today, trends today...and the forever greatness of Southern Rock.

Jimmie, so, what do you think of young men wearing their pants around their hips - or worse - and walking around with their boxers sticking out? Not exactly country, eh?

I'm not sure with the pulling up the pants with our new generation of males, obviously it's a trend or a so called fashion statement, as a man, I find it ridiculous and disgraceful to our culture. I think it's disrespectful to the female gender and others including their Mother's, how-ever it may boost sales for the under wear companies, Haines, Fruit of the Loom, etc...all I can say is, Pull Your Pants Up, Boy.

You are so funny! When do you find some time to relax and take a break from being "Jimmie"?

When I do find time to relax and need to listen to music, it can vary depending on the mood I'm in at the time, I will say, I do not listen to Opera,Rap or Heavy Metal, Retro, believe it are not, I find spiritual soft tone instrumentals to be very relaxing.

Jimmie...are you a wild child? Any milestones to share?

I think we all have just a little wild side that want's to cut loose, I consider myself a conservative wild child. My personal triumphs; Every-time I accomplish something is my triumph! I have so many milestones that I have passed and stepped over and have survived through Faith and the will of our Lord. Every show or performance has a memory to me in some way, when I'm performing and look into the crowd and see smiles and joy, tears dipping from eye's, hand claps, chanting and dancing around, I find that massive and worth every single moment to me.

You had been through so much, and built an amazing career in a brutal industry. Any advice for those looking to share their talents in music today?

The most important thing is to remember who you are as a person, Don't expect Fame and fortune because you may look good and can sing are play an instrument, never count on making any money unless you have something that nobody else has and just hope you get lucky.

Jimmie, coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning , tea in the afternoon, a cocktail in the evening...then play music all night long.

What sounds like a perfect dinner to you?

A nice steak and baked potato, salad and some fruit to boot.

What is one of your favorite holiday songs?

During Christmas...Silent Night.

Jimmie, how do you define Southern Rock?

Southern Rock is just a sound formed by Gospel , rhythm , blues, soul , truth , and hope ,with a little edge to it : labeled by the record industry - sounds from the South.

You are one of the most famous Southern boys around...is that awesome?

I don't find being a southern boy awesome but, thank you for the compliment. I find that We all are raised with different value's so to speak, We're taught from our Parents in the beginning, their truly  the ones responsible for our outcome no matter what. Most individuals from the south were raised with very little (poor) . We were taught to respect and appreciate everything we have and don't worry about who's got more then you...If You Want More You Must Work Harder to get it.

Jimmie, 100 years from today, what do you hope music lovers know of Jimmie Van Zant?

It would be nice to think that in 100 years that someone would be listening to one or more of my songs. I would like to be, just remembered as an average man that always tried to help other's and make a difference...not a burden but, a plus.

Jimmie, it's just us...would you ever eat a pink cupcake in public?

Pink cup cakes are my favorite.

Words of wisdom?

The drive to try and accomplish something everyday that will make a difference tomorrow .

Jimmie, can you share with us a special person that touched your life in some way?

I was blessed to meet someone that could not see or hear, but felt energy and vibrations from music. At that moment I knew there was a reason that I was blessed to do this at any level.

Special thanks to Jimmie Van Zant for his time, thoughts and his beautiful sharing. Stay wild, you massively talented, warm and open Southern Rock man. And may you have many pink cupcakes! Visit Jimmie on FACEBOOK!

Charlie Daniels: All Legend. All Music. All Country.

“Few individuals have symbolized the South in popular culture as directly and indelibly as Charlie Daniels.” Encyclopedia of Southern Culture

Charlie Daniels is partly Western and partly Southern. His signature 'bullrider' hat and belt buckle, his lifestyle on the Twin Pines Ranch (a boyhood dream come true), his love of horses, cowboy lore and the heroes of championship rodeo, Western movies, and Louis L'Amour novels, identify him as a Westerner. The son of a lumberjack and a Southerner by birth, his music - rock, country, bluegrass, blues, gospel - is quintessentially Southern.

In fact, even his bent for all things Western is Southern, because his attire, his lifestyle and his interests are historically emblematic of Southern working class solidarity with the “lone cowboy” individualism of the American West. It hasn't been so much a style of music, but more the values consistently reflected in several styles that has connected Charlie Daniels with millions of fans. For decades, he has steadfastly refused to label his music as anything other than “CDB music,” music that is now sung around the fire at 4-H Club and scout camps, helped elect an American President, and been popularized on a variety of radio formats.

Like so many great American success stories, The Charlie Daniels saga begins in rural obscurity. Born in 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina, he was raised on a musical diet that included Pentecostal gospel, local bluegrass bands, and the rhythm & blues and country music emanating respectively from Nashville's 50,000-watt megabroadcasters WLAC and WSM.

  • He graduated from high school in 1955 and soon enlisted in the rock .n' roll revolution ignited by Mississippian Elvis Aaron Presley. Already skilled on guitar, fiddle and mandolin, Daniels formed a rock .n' roll band and hit the road.
  • While enroute to California in 1959 the group paused in Texas to record “Jaguar,” an instrumental produced by the Bob Johnston, which was picked up for national distribution by Epic. It was also the beginning for a long association with Johnston. The two wrote “It Hurts Me,” which became the B side of a 1964 Presley hit. In 1969, at the urging of Johnston, Daniels moved to middle Tennessee to find work as a session guitarist in Nashville.
  • Among his more notable sessions were the Bob Dylan albums of 1969-70 Nashville Skyline, New Morning, and Self Portrait. Daniels produced the Youngbloods albums of 1969-70 Elephant Mountain and Ride the Wind, toured Europe with Leonard Cohen and performed on records with artists as different as Al Kooper and Marty Robbins.

Daniels broke through as a record maker, himself, with 1973's Honey In the Rock and its hit hippie song “Uneasy Rider.” His rebel anthems “Long Haired Country Boy” and “The South's Gonna Do It” propelled his 1975 collection Fire On the Mountain to Double Platinum status.

Following stints with Capitol and Kama Sutra, Epic Records signed him to its rock roster in New York in 1976. The contract, reportedly worth $3 million, was the largest ever given to a Nashville act up to that time. In the summer of 1979 Daniels rewarded the company's faith by delivering “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which became a Platinum single, topped both country and pop charts, won a Grammy Award, became an international phenomenon, earned three Country Music Association trophies, became a cornerstone of the Urban Cowboy movie soundtrack and propelled Daniel's Million Mile Reflections album to Triple Platinum sales levels.

The album's title was a reference to a milestone in The Charlie Daniels Band's legendary coast to coast tours. Including two drummers, twin guitars, and a flamenco dancer, the CDB often toured more than 250 days a year and by this time had logged more than a million miles on the road. On the Million Mile Reflections Tour, transported in a convoy of busses and gleaming black tractor-trailer rigs - a show that stopped traffic
all over the country - the band now included a full horn section, back-up singers, a troupe of clog dancers and sometimes a gospel choir. By 1981, the Charlie Daniels Band had twice been voted the Academy of Country Music's Touring Band of the Year.

Daniels' annual Volunteer Jam concerts, world-famous musical extravaganzas that served as a prototype for many of today's annual day-long music marathons, always featured a variety of current stars and heritage artists and are considered by historians as his most impressive contribution to Southern music. Among the artists “Jam Daddy” has hosted at 16 of these mega musical samplers are Roy Acuff, Don Henley, Tanya Tucker, Amy Grant, Leon Russell, Billy Ray Cyrus, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, James Brown, Duane Eddy, Pat Boone, The Outlaws, Dwight Yoakam, Steppenwolf, Bill Monroe, Exile, The Judds, Orleans, Willie Nelson, the Allman Brothers, Link Wray, Ted Nugent, Billy Joel, the Marshall Tucker Band, Solomon Burke, Little Richard, B. B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eugene Fodor, Woody Herman, and Bobby Jones and the New Life Singers.

“I used to say, .I'm not an outlaw; I'm an outcast,'” says the Grammy Award winning star. “When it gets right down to the nitty gritty, I've just tried to be who I am. I've never followed trends or fads. I couldn't even if I tried. I can't be them; I can't be anybody but me.”

When you hear a classic Charlie Daniels Band performance like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” you hear music that knows no clear genre. Is it a folk tale? A southern boogie? A country fiddle tune? An electric rock anthem? The answer is, “yes” to all of that and more. And the same goes for “In America,” “Uneasy Rider,” “The South's Gonna Do It,” “Long Haired Country Boy,” “Still in Saigon,” “The Legend of Wooley
Swamp,” and the rest of a catalog that spans 50 years of record making and represents more than 20 million in sales. His resume includes recording sessions with artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Flatt & Scruggs, Pete Seeger, Mark O'Connor, Leonard Cohen and Ringo Starr. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley and Tammy Wynette. This touring legend has been documented by ABC Newsmagazine 20/20. In April 1998, top stars and two former Presidents paid tribute to Daniels when he was named the recipient of the Pioneer Award at the Academy of Country Music's annual nationally televised ceremonies.

Recently, Charlie had a few minutes to share with STARCHAT!

Charlie, growing up, did you ever dream you would be so famous!
Had no idea where this was all going when I started,just wanted to be a professional musician.

What is one of your earliest memories?
The bombing of Pearl Harbor...

What is your favorite music to listen to when you need to relax?
Whatever I'm in the mood to listen anything from blue grass to classical .

Looking over your career, it must be wild to be you! What would you say are your three personal, biggest professional triumphs? What are three milestones, turning points or perhaps just ONE MASSIVELY GREAT SHOW, that stick in your mind when you think about life as the one and only Charlie Daniels!

  1. Leaving my daytime job,cutting the apron strings and pursuing my music full time.
  2. Coming to Nashville in 1967
  3. Recording The Fire On The Mountain album in 1974

What is the one thing newcomers to the music industry do NOT understand about life in the music industry?

If you don't truly love it ... don't attempt it.

Charlie...quick, are you a morning person?

Yes

What is one of your favorite breakfasts - pancakes, omelettes?

Grits and eggs

Charlie...this may be a loaded question. What is YOUR favorite song?

Don't have just one...

Why is country music so awesome? Is it the raw emotion? Is it the American spirit?

It communicates on a level people understand.

What is your favorite place in the United States to perform?

I love them all!

Charlie...100 years from now, people will be listening to The Charlie Daniels Band, wondering about the man, the time, the music. What do you hope is the ONE thing people know about Charlie Daniels?

That the music they're listening to ... came from my heart.

Charlie...would you ever go a day without your hat?

Of course

Charlie...do you watch reality TV?

Very seldom

Looking at today's country music landscape, who do you feel of the newer batch of rising starts are truly the performers to watch?

Not familiar enough with them to pass judgement.

Final Thought: Charlie, can you share with us a little story about someone that really touched your life, and influenced your music.

Bob Dylan choosing me to play guitar on the Nashville Skyline album.

Special thanks to Charlie Daniels for his time, thoughts and awesomeness!