The country music star puts his unique spin on cowboy songs.
Charlie Daniels may be approaching 80 — the big day comes Oct. 28 — but he certainly isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. And even though he’s already accomplished more than enough to merit induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, he’s far from ready to rest on his laurels.
On Nov. 30, the country superstar will headline his annual Volunteer Jam concert in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, sharing the spotlight with such notables as Travis Tritt, Kid Rock, Chris Stapleton, and Larry the Cable Guy. And next week, Daniels will release his latest album, Night Hawk, in which he puts an acoustic spin on cowboy songs both well-known and relatively obscure.
It’s a dream project for Daniels, not unlike his acclaimed 2014 homage to Bob Dylan, Off the Grid — Doin’ It Dylan. This time out, he’s spinning tales from the trail told by cowboys around the campfire down through the years.
“Most of our concepts about cowboys, and all things western, are mostly derived from movies and TV,” Daniels said while announcing the album’s release. “Well, the truth of the matter is, the real cowboys are not glow-in-the-dark characters who go around fighting rustlers and cleaning out saloons with their fists. The actual working cowboy is a hard-working, different breed who spend endless hours in the saddle. And as Louis L’Amour said, they ‘ride for the brand.’ Night Hawk is a tribute to the working cowboy and his way of life.”
Night Hawk will be available Aug. 26 at the Charlie Daniels website, and wherever else music is sold.
And by the way: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has scheduled “Charlie Daniels: Million Mile Reflections,” an exhibition opening Sept. 23 and continuing through March 31, 2017. According to the museum: “Featuring musical instruments, stage wear, manuscripts, awards, childhood mementos and previously unpublished photographs from Daniels’ personal collection, the exhibit will describe his significant impact on American entertainment and explore the new musical style and image he brought to country music.”
