The Devil Went Down to Georgia

Signed "To Matt"


"When the devil finished Johnny said, "well, you're pretty good, old son But sit down in that chair right there And let me show you how it's done"- Charlie Daniels



L to R: The wife, Charlie and your humble author and wings




Charlie Daniels passed away recently and I thought it fitting to tell my story of meeting him.

It was around 2005 and my wife and I were travelling through Nashville on the way home from Chicago.  We had planned on meeting up with some friends, but missed them due to storms in the area.  We parked down by the Grand Ol' Opry and decided to have a look around Broadway Street.  We saw many iconic  honky-tonks in this part of town which cater to the tourist trade and every window had a band playing in it.

We decide to stop in Tootsies' Orchid Lounge and walk up to the bar.  "What are ya'll drinkin'?"  The bartender asked.  I gaze at the tap handles and am quite disappointed.  "2 Cowboy Cocktails!"  My wife pipes up.  "I heard about them on the Food Network and they looked good."  I felt like Pee-Wee Herman in a biker bar.  I swear the jukebox stopped.  We finish our drinks and head down towards the river.

We decide to get some wings to go at The Hard Rock Cafe. Afterward we head back to the car, and start hearing many people yelling and see them running towards the river.  Apparently, a casino riverboat had begun to list and people were being rescued from jumping in the water.  Suddenly, a bearded man in a giant hat opens the door of one of the storefronts and asks us what is happening.  I start to explain, and then say: "Hey, YOU are Charlie Daniels!".  He says, "Tell me something I DON'T know!"  "This is my store and museum.  C'mon in!" 

We dutifully follow him inside.  "I guess I am in charge right now, the staff left for lunch."  "Those wings look good, can I have some?"  My wife and I exchange glances and oblige.  Charlie is a gracious host, he gives us a great tour of his country store and the back area which has several pieces of memorabilia from his long career.  He offers to pose for a photo after eating some wings, and gives us an autographed photo.

My wife asks about something in the store, and he replies, "Ma'am do you really want that hand carved outhouse or are you being polite?"  We all laugh.  I tell Charlie that "The Devil Went Down to Georgia"  was the first song I ever paid for on a jukebox(I got 3 plays of it for a dollar)and then ask. "Do you need a bass player?"  My wife gets very silent.  Charlie bends over a bit and asks her "How old is he?"  "Thirty-five years" she snaps.  "Boy, I have had my current bass player about that long!" He roars.

I later look it up, and find out that I have no chance indeed of replacing the great Charlie Hayward.  My short tale is no Faustian mythos such as what happened to Robert Johnson or Tenacious D, but I will take it.



When we arrived home, my wife said  "That was an interesting meeting!"
"I am now a backup bass player for The CDB." I replied.
"That is all they need, NOW" She responded.
"Just call me Johnny" I said with a smirk.

What else could I say?

                                                        Stir up that MONKEYDUST!


© 2020 MATT COLEMAN ALL RIGHTS RESERVED




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