Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams Jr., Darryl Worley, Aaron Tippin, Toby Keith (And Others) Are Real Teddy Bears

Operation Teddy Bear, which started in 2012 as an initiative of Harris Jewelry, continues in support of our military, both at home and abroad through the sale of uniformed teddy bears.  Teddy Bears representing all branches of the military can be purchased for $15.00 at www.operationtroopaid.org or www.mybuddybears.com. 

 
Since its inception, Operation Troop Aid has garnered the support of music celebrities across multiple genres, from KISS to Toby Keith and Cheap Trick to Charlie Daniels.  Operation Troop Aid’s mission is to make a positive difference and inspire deployed U.S. service members by letting them know America stands with them.  Operation Troop Aid provides care packages and bill assistance with revenue generated through professional concert promotions, entertainment initiatives and public financial generosity.

To date, Operation Teddy Bear has raised over $100,000 to help Operation Troop Aid, a 501(c)3 organization, send care packages to deployed personnel and sponsor events for military families and communities.

Charlie Daniels Recovers After Successful Pacemaker Implant Surgery

The Grand Ole Opry star is recovering after having a pacemaker implanted today (3-28), at a Nashville area hospital.

During a doctor visit on Monday (3-25), Charlie was diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia and admitted to the hospital for a series of routine tests.  The tests revealed that a pacemaker was needed to regulate his heart rate.

He plans to be released from the hospital on Friday (3-29).  The family asks for your thoughts and prayers for Charlie as he recovers.  He will spend the next two weeks at his home.

Charlie recently celebrated 5 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, where he is a regular performer.

“I just had not been feeling well and wanted to get checked out,” says Daniels.  “I am thankful the doctors found the problem and were able to implant a pacemaker to get my heart rate regulated.  I am feeling so much better and looking forward to spending Easter with my family.”

Charlie’s performance at MTSU’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, TN, as part of the World Outreach Church Easter service,  has been cancelled.

Two CDB concert dates, Englewood, NJ (4-5), and Newark, OH (4-6) have been cancelled and will be re-scheduled. 

Charlie will resume his touring schedule with an appearance in Lynchburg, VA on April 11th and continue his tour schedule with the following dates:  Verona, NY (4-12), Chester, WV (4-13), Opry (4-18), Vidalia, GA (4-20), Wilkesboro, NC (4-25), Florence, SC (4-26), Priceville, AL (4-27), Indio, CA (4-28)

Media Contact:
Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing
Kirt Webster - 615-777-6995 x230

For The Charlie Daniels Band
Paula Szeigis -  615-443-2112 x123

Jason Aldean Surprises Charlie Daniels At Benefit Concert

Daniels was surprised while hosting a special free concert last night to support Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program as part of the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes event.  Fellow patriots and country stars, the multi-platinum, multi-award winning chart-topper Jason Aldean and the GRAMMY® award-winning Lee Greenwood walked unannounced onto the stage to offer their support for our military.  

The concert also featured return performances by Chris Young and The Grascals, as well as Keni Thomas, Bleach and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka, and included a presentation with Mary Byers, President of Gold Star Mothers, Inc., an organization of mothers who have lost sons or daughters while in service of their country.

“The motto for the USO is ‘until they all come home.’ Last night's event at Lipscomb addressed the fact that many did not come home,” explained Greenwood.  “I'm proud to have been a part of this event and congratulate my friend Charlie Daniels for being a leader in our Nashville community.”

Daniels, a staunch supporter of the military, was pleased with the event and the support by the community.  Corporate sponsors and donors included iostudio, Humana, Waltrip Brothers’ Charity Championship, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Twice Daily, Bridgestone, Chase, Operation Homefront, Clear Channel, Dollywood, Shofner Vision Center, Trauger & Tuke, Glover Group Entertainment, SunTrust and DSI.

“We have so many heroes whose needs fly below our radar,” said Daniels. “This shouldn’t be happening and this event is helping to make sure it doesn’t.”

For more information on Lipscomb University’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program, call 615-966-5176 or visit lipscomb.edu/campuslife/veterans.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM:
In 2009, the Post-9/11 GI Bill was established as an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001. It is administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Based on a veteran’s length of service, he or she may be eligible to receive the cost of tuition and fees, not to exceed the most expensive in-state institution of higher education.

 

Media Contacts:
For Jason Aldean
The Green Room PR
Mary Hilliard Harrington / 615-242-7444

 
For The Charlie Daniels Band
Paula Szeigis / 615-443-2112 x123 

 
For Chris Young
Monarch Publicity
Cindy Heath / 615-429-2203

For Lee Greenwood
Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing/ 615-777-6995 x227
 
For Lipscomb University
Kim Chaudoin / 615-966-6494

CDB Keyboard Player Dies

Charlie Daniels

Joel ‘Taz’ DiGregorio, longtime keyboard player and vocalist for The Charlie Daniels Band, has passed away.

DiGregorio died October 12th as a result of injuries he sustained in a single car accident in Cheatham County, TN, while driving to meet the CDB tour bus. The accident occurred on I-40 West of Nashville.

From Southbridge, MA, Taz was an original member of the CDB for over 40 years and a co-writer on many CDB songs, including “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”

“I am in shock now, Taz was one of my best friends,” says Charlie Daniels. “The CDB family has lost a great friend and musician. We traveled many miles together and shared so many nights on the road. We’re going to miss you buddy. You were one of a kind and will never be forgotten. We send our deepest condolences to the family.”

Beginning To Look A Lot Like Charlie-mas

Charlie Daniels has put on a Christmas show for the past nine years.  2011 is no different as Charlie has lined up Phil Vassar and Sawyer Brown to perform at the Charlie Daniels Band & Friends Concert.  The November 21st show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, benefits Christmas 4 Kids.  

Christmas 4 Kids is a non-profit organization that sends children on their own holiday shopping spree each year. All the kids helped by the charity receive cash to spend and a brand new winter coat.

Tickets for the show go on sale September 15 at Christmas4kids.org. 

Play On Nashville At The Opry Tuesday

Credit: grandoleopry.com

The Grand Ole Opry will mark the first anniversary of the flood that devastated much of Nashville and temporarily displaced the Opry from the Grand Ole Opry House with a star-packed show celebrating Music City’s heart and resilience.


The show, Play On, Nashville!, is Tuesday May 3 at the Opry House. Among those performing are Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Charlie Daniels Band, and more.


“It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the flood,” said Opry member Dierks Bentley. “The city of Nashville, the Opry, and the country music community were so resilient and came together to rebuild so quickly after the devastation. I’ve never been more proud to be an Opry member, and I’m looking forward to celebrating that sense of community again on Tuesday.”

The Charlie Daniels Band Releases New Song 'Let 'Em Win or Bring 'Em Home'

Proud American Charlie Daniels has released a special patriotic track called Let 'em Win Or Bring 'em Home
A new original cut written by Daniels and recorded by The Charlie Daniels Band, "Let 'Em Win or Bring 'Em Home" is available at GMVNashville.com and all major online digital outlets, including iTunes, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com.


The song was first released exclusively at CharlieDaniels.com on Friday, April 15, 2011.