Two of country music's favorite male stars, Charlie Daniels and Randy Owen, were honored this month for their vision in the areas of business and giving, respectively.
Ferocious fiddler Daniels, 72, was recently presented with the Joe M. Rodgers Spirit of America Award at Middle Tennessee State University. The prize is presented to a business professional who’s demonstrated the best of the spirit of America through significant contributions in government, education or civic and charitable organizations.
MTSU's Executives-in-Residence program handed over the honer at an invitation-only luncheon on the Murfreesboro campus, acknowledging that the
Grammy-winning performer—in addition to being a successful businessman in the music industry for 50-plus years and owner of a working ranch—“has dedicated considerable time and talent to
entertaining and building the morale of American servicemen and women, and he never fails to honor their service and dedication.”
A native of Wilmington, N.C., Daniels—in his own words—“quit his day job” in ’58 to pursue music on a full-time basis, and the rest is country music history. According to one recent interview, at 16 he founded his own bluegrass group in his home state, performing locally at radio stations and beyond, then soon branched out to playing in D.C., Maryland and beyond.
"For several years, I lived out of a suitcase," Daniels has said. "I married a girl in Oklahoma and, in 1967, moved to Nashville. I have lived in the area ever since."
Meanwhile, Owen, former frontman for country supergroup
Alabama, took home the
Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award on April 20, 2009, courtesy of the
Appalachian Regional Commission. Although Owen was announced as the recipient of the trophy last month, Mother Nature--in the form of a snow storm that blanketed the southeast and mid-Atlantic--prohibited him from accepting the award during a Washington-based ceremony.
Owen, 59, is the inaugural recipient of the award that's named in memory of Myers, former board member of the
Development District Association of Appalachia. The musician was chosen for the honor because of his fundraising work on behalf of the citizens of
Appalachia in Alabama and other states; namely, via the
Alabama June Jam, which has
raised hundreds of thousands of dollars used for many projects, including scholarships for youth of the region.
"While we have given to many worthwhile organizations over the years, I am most proud of the scholarships that many kids of the Appalachian region have received," noted Owen, who's set to release his first solo CD for the Broken Bow label later this year. "Many of these students could have fallen through the cracks. I am proud to have been a part of enriching their lives"
Moreover, he continued, "The June Jam is one of numerous efforts I am proud to have been a part of. I grew up here and these people are just like me. I am blessed to be in a position to help and will continue to do my part"
Video overview of the Alabama June Jam event that Owen was honored for creating and conducing to raise money for the Appalacian region.
Charlie Daniels performs "Devil Went Down to Georgia."
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