The Charlie Daniels Band was formed in 1970, with Charlie Daniels joined by Barry Barnes (guitar), Mark Fitzgerald (bass), Fred Edwards and Gary Allen (drums), and Taz DiGregorio (keyboards). They started recording southern rock-styled albums for Kama Sutra. Although a multi-instrumentalist, Daniels was a limited vocalist, but his voice was well suited to the talking-style "Uneasy Rider", which reached the US Top 10 in 1973. He followed it with his anthem for southern rock, "The South's Gonna Do It". In 1974, Daniels had members of The Marshall Tucker Band and The Allman Brothers Band join him onstage in Nashville. It was so successful that he decided to make his so-called Volunteer Jam an annual event. It led to some unlikely combinations of artists such as James Brown performing with Roy Acuff, and the stylistic mergers have included Crystal Gayle singing the blues with the Charlie Daniels Band.
The Charlie Daniels Band underwent some personnel changes on 1975's 'Nightrider", with Tom Crain, Charlie Hayward and Don Murray replacing Barnes, Fitzgerald and Allen respectively. When Daniels moved to Epic in 1976, there was a concerted effort to turn the band into a major concert attraction, despite the fact that at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 20 stone Daniels was no teenage idol: he hid his face under an oversized cowboy hat. The albums sold well, and in 1979, when recording his "Million Mile Reflections" album, he recalled a 20s poem, "The Mountain Whipporwill", by Stephen Vincent Benet. The band developed this into "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", in which Johnny outplays the Devil to win a gold fiddle. Daniels overdubbed his fiddle seven times to create an atmospheric recording that topped the US country charts and reached number 3 in the US pop charts. It was also a UK Top 20 success.
In 1980 the band recorded "In America" for the hostages in Iran, and then in 1982, "Still In Saigon", about Vietnam. The band were featured on the soundtrack for Urban Cowboy and also recorded the theme for the Burt Reynolds movie "Stroker Ace". The 13th Volunteer Jam was held in 1987, but financial and time constraints meant the event was put on temporary hiatus (it resumed four years later). In the late 80s Daniels appeared in the movie "Lone Star Kid" and published a book of short stories, but continued touring and playing his southern boogie to adoring audiences.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, several of Daniels' albums and singles were hits on the Country charts and the music continues to receive airplay on country stations today. Daniels also released several Gospel and Christian records.
http://www.charliedaniels.com/
The South's Gonna Do It Again
Charlie Daniels Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the Tucker boys are cookin' down in Caroline
People down in Florida can't be still
When old Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People down in Georgia come from near and far
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar
So gather 'round, now gather 'round, children
Get loud, well, you can be loud here and be proud
And you can be proud here
Now be proud to a rebel 'cause South's gon' do it again and again
Elvin Bishop's sittin' on a bale of hay
He ain't good lookin' but he sure can play
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
And all the good people down in Tennessee
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and the CDB
Well, gather 'round, gather 'round, children
And get down, well you can get down, children
Get loud, well you can get loud here and be proud
Well, you can be proud here
Be proud to a rebel 'cause South's gon' do it again, yes, it is
The lyrics to The South's Gonna Do It Again by the Charlie Daniels Band celebrates the rich and diverse music culture of the American South, with references to various artists and bands from different states of the region. The first stanza talks about the train to Grinder's Switch, which was a reference to Uncle Dave Macon, a legendary banjo player from Tennessee who used to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The Tucker Boys mentioned in the song are likely to be the Tackett Brothers, a rock band from South Carolina. The mention of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a southern rock band from Florida who famously sang about the state in their hit song "Sweet Home Alabama", highlights the popularity of the genre in the South. Richard Betts was a guitarist for The Allman Brothers Band, also from Florida, who played a pivotal role in popularizing southern rock as a genre.
The second stanza mentions other iconic artists from the South. Elvin Bishop, a blues guitarist from California who moved to Oklahoma and later to Chicago, is referenced for his contribution to blues music. ZZ Top, a rock band from Texas, gained huge popularity in the 1980s with their unique blend of blues, rock, and boogie music. The mention of brother Willie getting soaking wet is likely to be a reference to Willie Nelson's habit of smoking marijuana. Barefoot Jerry and C.D.B, cited in the song, refer to two bands from Tennessee - Barefoot Jerry was a country rock band while C.D.B. stood for Charlie Daniels Band, the artist performing the song.
The song is a tribute to the South and its music, celebrating the cultural richness and diversity of the region. The lyrics are a reflection of the pride that southerners have in their heritage and their music. The upbeat melody and the energetic chorus of the song exude a sense of optimism and hope, reflecting the belief that the South will continue to produce great music that will impact the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, the train to Grinder's Switch is runnin' right on time
The train that runs to Grinder's Switch is running on schedule.
And them Tucker Boys are cookin' down in Caroline
The Tucker Boys are performing well in Caroline.
People down in Florida can't be still
The people in Florida are excited and can't sit still.
When ol' Lynyrd Skynrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People in Florida are excited to see Lynyrd Skynyrd perform in Jacksonville.
People down in Georgia come from near and far
Georgia residents travel from various distances to be a part of the music scene.
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar
People gather to hear Richard Betts play guitar.
Elvin Bishop sittin' on a bale of hay
Elvin Bishop is sitting on a bale of hay.
He ain't good lookin', but he sure can play
Elvin Bishop may not be physically attractive but he is talented in playing.
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
ZZ Top is also present and cannot be forgotten.
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
Willie is getting wet, possibly from a performance or activity.
And all the good people down in Tennessee
The people in Tennessee are known to be good.
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and C.D.B
People are enjoying the music by Barefoot Jerry and C.D.B.
So gather 'round, gather 'round chillin'
Everyone should come together and prepare to chill and enjoy the music.
Get down, well just get down chillin'
Everyone should loosen up and dance along.
Get loud, well you can be loud and be proud
Feel free to get loud and express your enthusiasm.
Well you can be proud, hear now
Everyone should be proud of their heritage and location.
Be proud you're a rebel
Take pride in being a rebel.
'Cause the South's gonna do it again and again
This is because the southern music scene is vibrant and successful.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Charles Edward Daniels
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@onetakeadventureswithjoeld4679
WHEN being proud of the south was just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@shawnn5213
It still is! You keep that spirit. The South is the only place in America to be
@kingbillycokebottle5484
I'm an Aussie. You southerners are the closest things to brothers we have, don't you dare let that anglo-celtic fire die. Eureka and Dixie, sister rebels that will rise again. The world shall know the heat of the anglo-celtic fighting man once more.
Sister rebels forever.
Fun fact 84 Aussie sailors abandoned ship in Florida to join the CSA navy.
@davidward2753
I worked personal security for Mr Daniels in the mid eighties, and this was Exactly how all his shows were. High energy, dead on perfect.
@Pinky-lg3lz
American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.
@randyharbaugh7819
RIP Charlie, heaven just got a heck of a fiddle player for the band
@davidlehner5401
He's playin with Jimmy Prince John Paul Waylon Little Richard John Lennon Jon Bonham with Elvis Ronnie van Zandt and Johnny Cash on the mic!
@ladyscarfaceangel4616
David Lehner
Hellz yeah! Bon Scott, Joplin, Cobain! The list goes on! Can’t wait to see a Heaven Woodstock one day! I’m glad I got to see the CDB the few times I was lucky enough to.
@zeecet2457
Charlie was a County Music/Southern Rock Pioneer
@redwolfpiping5701
Yup, Charlie and Johnny are going to play a heck of music now