Soap Box

The first CDB concert date this year is - as I am writing this - tomorrow night, Saturday, March 11 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Later this morning, I will meet with the rest of the band at the studio for a final rehearsal and a set run through for the sound and light guys, then we'll pack up the instruments and embark on CDB's 46th touring season.

I am 80 years old, have millions of tour miles, thousands of motel rooms and a kazillion memories behind me, but I still approach this year's touring with a seemingly innate excitement and anticipation for the thrill of standing in the wings of a stage, waiting for our theme music and hearing, "Now, from Mount Juliet Tennessee, The Charlie Daniels Band."

I am like an old race horse waiting for the gate to open so I can get out there and do my thing, the same thing I've been doing for sixty years, the thing that never loses its attraction for me, the thing that motivates me to travel 100,000 miles a year and love every minute, the thing I am so thankful to Almighty God for allowing me to make a living doing.

The fact that I get to walk on stage and entertain people with the songs I've written and the talent God has given me. It never loses its luster, it�s never mundane or ordinary, every show is special and every night is challenging.

I never take for granted the fact that I've been blessed to ply my trade from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon, from Canada to the Mexican border, from the edge of the Arctic Circle to the Down Under Outback of Australia, Asia, Europe, the lonely forward operating bases of Iraq, the grandiose, the humble, through changing times, fad and fashion.

I would not change places with anybody in the world, though I realize there are many more successful, a myriad more talented and multitudes much younger than I am.

I have reached a place in my life and in my career where I am not under pressure from a record label, a management firm, my band loves playing together, my people get along with each other and I dearly love each and every one of them.

In our office, efficiency is routine, a system has been developed and adhered to, there is autonomy when you earn it and guidance when you need it, and always mutual respect.

I simply can't imagine spending my remaining years in a better way than traveling the world with a bunch of people that I love and respect and performing the music we have created.

Is it always easy?

No, it�s not, it can get very complicated at times, even frustrating if you allow it to reach that point. But I've learned that there are few problems that can't be solved by people who put their hearts into it.

So, when people ask me when I'm going to retire, my standard answer is:

"As long as it�s God's will and the people want to hear me, I'll be out here doing it."

Still writing new music, exploring new things and always and forever learning.

God, I thank You for allowing me to spend my life doing exactly what I want to do, and for the talent You gave me that enables me to do it.

Let�s go to Huntsville, Alabama and do a show, y'all!!!

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, our police and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America

� Charlie Daniels

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