Daniels - Never look at the empty seats: a memoir

PRAISE FOR NEVER LOOK AT THE EMPTY SEATS

A tale of hard work, musical discovery, and faith, Charlie Danielss journey has been one of a kind. Equal parts rebel-rouser and apostle, its no small coincidence he launched his career by beating the Devil with a fiddle in hand. I love this man, the things he stands for, and his music. What a story.

BRAD PAISLEY, Grammy Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter

Charlie Daniels has entertained people around the world for decades, including Americas troops in war-torn countries. But what impressed me most over the years is that he brought his legendary band to perform at evangelistic crusades, attracting audiences that would never have heard me or my father, Dr. Billy Graham, proclaim the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we looked out from the platform we didnt concentrate on the sea of people; we looked into the faces of individuals who longed to know God. I was reminded of this when I heard that Charlie had written this memoir, Never Look at the Empty Seats. Thank you Charlie Daniels for caring about those who fill the seats! You are a giant of a man.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM, President and CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritans Purse

Charlie Danielss personal stories are lessons in self-reliance, accountability, and responsibility, and they are as relevant today as they were when Charlie was learning them. These are inspiring words from a great patriot and a great friend.

GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS, Former Commander, United States Central Command, Author of New York Times Bestseller American Soldier

Charlie takes you inside stories of his amazing family, his discovery of music, and his fight to make it in a profession that most just dont! He shares the why, who, and how of really hard times that taught him life lessons, and those wonderful events and people that he is proud of and celebrates in his book. Read it for yourself... this amazing man has a story for us all.

PHILLIP FULMER, 2012 College Football Hall of Fame

Finally, Charlie Daniels, the Tar Heel, singer-songwriter, tells all! If you love our Lord, our country, and great American music, you will love every word in this bookand learn why US Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, really matter to my friend Charlie!

LTCOL OLIVER NORTH, USMC (RET.), Host of War Stories on Fox News Channel

Charlie Daniels is a true American icon. Hes a patriot who loves God and country and a Country Music Hall of Famer. I am blessed to call him my friend. Trust me, there will never be another Charlie Daniels!

DARRELL WALTRIP, NASCAR Hall of Famer

Country is the heart and soul of Charlie Danielsthe music, the land, the people, and the uniquely American freedoms that make our country the greatest in the world.

WAYNE LAPIERRE, Executive Vice President, National Rifle Association

Charlie is so up-front and friendly, we all assume we know everything there is to know about him. Not so. There is so much about Charlies life in this book that it would and could make a great movie, or even better, a long-running series... very informative and interesting. We all love Charlie, me more than most. Enjoy the book. I did.

DOLLY PARTON, Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Songwriter, and Actress

My friend Charlie Daniels is not only a country music legend and icon, hes also a Great American, and a lover of all that mattersGod, faith, family, country, and our military. If you want to live life to the fullest, read this book, as it is a road map to everything great.

SEAN HANNITY, Host of Hannity and Author of New York Times Bestseller Deliver Us from Evil

I particularly enjoyed Charlies chapter on Louis LAmour. Clearly, Louis and Charlie are kindred spirts.

TOM SELLECK, Actor and Film Producer

2017 Charlie Daniels

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

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Epub Edition September 2017 ISBN 9780718074760
ISBN 978-0-7180-7476-0 (eBook)
ISBN 978-0-7180-7496-8 (HC)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017909961

Printed in the United States of America

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To my friend, mentor, and teacher, Bob Johnston, whose influence on my life and my career cannot be overestimated.

CONTENTS

T he proposition of making a living as a professional musician can be confusing and challenging. To take it a step further and join the few who have ascended the slippery slope of the big time is a daunting task, to say the least.

After so many years in the business, I guess its only natural for young men and women who want to chase the dream to ask an old-timer like me questions about the decades Ive devoted and the miles Ive traveled in my half-century-plus roller coaster ride as a professional musician.

The two most frequently asked questions are, How do you make it in the music business? and How do you have a long career like yours?

I am writing this book with two primary thoughts in mind. First of all, Id like to answer these and other questions. Most of all, I have a story to tell. It is a story about trial and error, hard work, hard times, and the myriad of encouraging little things that give you hope and a reason to go on when it seems its uphill all the way.

I want to tell you about the people who have been a part of my life and the miles Ive traveled. But most of all, I want to tell you about the music, the creation and performance, and the undying love that I have for it and my God-given gift that makes it possible.

Id also like to give you an inside view of what the life of a professional musician is like and a look at the business from my view and attitude.