Charlie Daniels Rocks The Angelus: Day One

It was a beautiful day for a drive to Florida, and my old buddy Scott Greene and I set sail for the annual Angelus weekend down in Tampa. It’s one of my favorite events and I always look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones, listening to some old school Southern fried jams and playing a bit of my own music.

On Wednesday, Scott drove us all day, ending up in Lake City, Florida, where we stopped for the night, Thursday we would only have to travel a little over two hours.

We arrived at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (our host hotel for the past three Angelus events) at noon. Unfortunately, the room would not be ready for another couple of hours, so we went to The Green Room for lunch, hung out and talked with a few friends. Among the first friends we saw were Tom and Anne Bell. They are here every time, and it’s always good to see them. I saw cartoonist Guy Gilchrist, an Angelus staple, and then came a nice surprise. My buddy Brad “The Animal” Lesley, former Cincinnati Reds pitcher turned actor stood across the hall, smiling. Animal is a great guy, and a huge Marshall Tucker Band fan. We spoke of our disappointment that MTB could not be here this year. But hey, we were still going to have a blast.

We spoke to Tommy Crain, Kerry Creasy, and event coordinator Tammy Williams. Then I looked through the crowd and spotted T. Graham Brown. He wasn’t listed as a performer, but I was really happy to see he had been added. T. Graham is one of my all time favorite blue eyed soul singers. Scott and I had a minute to speak with him just before our room was ready. I had to get up to the room, shower and change into my stage clothes. I would kick off the music for the whole weekend at 3 PM.

I am so happy I have so many good friends. People like Tommy Crain and Kerry Creasy of The Crosstown Allstars, who agreed to join me for my acoustic set. Having the guys play with me changed the whole dynamic, and we had a great time playing my songs, as well as “Fire On The Mountain,” “Can’t You See,” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”

The pairing party started at 7 PM, and again we came together in the grand ball room for finger foods and beverages and some good conversation. There was a good country band performing, and soon Tommy Crain and The Crosstown Allstars would take the stage.

Crain and the guys were joined by “Torpedo” from The Trunk Band on keys, kicking off the show with The Allman Brothers Band’s “Jessica.” Sounded great. Then came their original hit “Find Another Lover.” They played a new song that Tommy announced as being from their upcoming new album.

Then came the man of the hour. Charlie Daniels made his way to the stage where he picked up a Les Paul and kicked off a red hot “One Way Out,” going head to head with former band mate Tommy Crain, and sometimes getting into a guitar duel with Allstar Bob Rumer.

The jam continued with Charlie doing the slow blues of “Jelly, Jelly.” The crowd was loving it.

Then out came the fiddle, and Charlie’s signature song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” I swear it is always a thrill to see Crain and Charlie playing that one together, with Carolyn Corlew singing along.

Just that quickly, the welcome jam was over, and it was time to pair up the golf teams. Scott and I headed for the hospitality room for a drink, stopping along the way to speak with Rick Broyles of The Ghost Riders.

It would be an early wrap up tonight. Tomorrow would be even more music and fun. You gotta love Angelus.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo