Legendary musician Charlie Daniels, best known for his mega-hit song "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," continues to perform over 90 shows a year. The 77-year-old Daniels, who has triumphed over cancer and heart disease, declares he's "got a lot of music left to play."
Now on tour for his new Bob Dylan tribute album, "Off the Grid - Doin' it Dylan," Daniels is looking forward to accomplish more than the 20 million albums he's already sold.
"I've got a lot of music left to play," he tells Southern Maryland News, according to The Boot. "I've got a lot of ideas that I would really like to record one of these days. It's just a matter of finding the time to finish writing and bring the recording to fruition. It's just that we stay pretty busy, but that's the beautiful part about it - you never get bored. You just always got something to do; you got another mountain to climb and another goal to reach."
Daniels has definitely conquered monstrous mountains when it comes to his health.
"In 2001, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer," the country star told Today.com. "It was successfully treated and I have been totally cancer free for over 12 years. Here I would like to add a word of caution to those males reading this who think just because you haven't passed the middle age mark you're not susceptible to prostate cancer. It can happen to you."
Nine years later, in 2010, Daniels faced another life-threatening health crisis.
"I was 20 miles up a mountain snowmobile trail in Colorado when my left extremities started going numb and I knew something serious was happening to me," he recalled. "To make a long story shorter, I got back down the mountain and was rushed to the hospital in Durango, Colo. I was diagnosed with stroke, given a blood clot buster shot and air lifted to Swedish Hospital in Denver, where state of the art diagnostic and treatment procedures were administered.
"Today, due to the grace of God and excellent medical attention, I have only a small amount of residual effect from the stroke in my left arm and hand."
Daniels marvels at the advances in medicine that he has witnessed.
"What's happened in medical science in my lifetime is truly mind boggling," the commented to today.com. "So much suffering alleviated, so many lives improved and changed, and I speak as one who knows through experience.
"I always remember that the doctors treat and God heals, an unbeatable combination."
The Grand Ole Opry member might be one of the most hard-working artists in the country, but, reports The Boot, he says he knows exactly where the credit belongs.
"It is a blessing from God exactly; God gives us the deep desires of our heart," Daniels insists. "He has given me so many desires of my heart, and one of the deep desires of my heart was to play music and to be a successful musician. You know, I just have been so blessed with being able to do that."
