Charlie Daniels was truly one of a kind.
His impact on the country music industry will stand the test of time, and its likely we won’t ever see another artist as talented, charismatic, and downright inspiring for a very long time.
The world unfortunately lost the legendary singer, songwriter, and musician three years ago, when Daniels passed away in 2020 from complications with a stroke, and country music as a whole has felt his absence since he passed on.
The Charlie Daniels Band took to their Facebook page on the anniversary of his passing, with Charlie Daniels Jr. saying:
“ON THIS DAY in 2020, we lost a music icon, patriot, songwriter, devoted husband, the best father imaginable, dear friend to many who was also adored by his countless fans.
You are missed terribly. We will always try to make the day count, and keep your legacy alive. I love you and miss you, Dad.”
There are many things to look back on and remember Daniels for.
Charlie started out with a bluegrass group called the Misty Mountain Boys, wrote songs for Elvis Presley, formed the Charlie Daniels Band, crafted the all-time song “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” and graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry over 100 times.
His list of accomplishments is almost endless, but allow me to submit one of his best works that you might have forgotten about: Charlie Daniels playing the hell out of a fiddle in a Geico commercial.
This is going to be one of those memories that is stored deep down within your brain, and as soon as you see the first couple of seconds of this advertisement, you are going to say “oh my gosh, how did I forget about this?”
The series of commercials that Geico was running at the time pushed the Geico Gecko to the side and brought in an inquisitive, suit-wearing businessman to ask rhetorical questions to TV viewers. You might still be confused, but it will all make sense in a second. The insurance spokesperson dramatically asks:
“Could switching to Geico really save you 15% or more on car insurance? Does Charlie Daniels play a mean fiddle?”
The video then cuts to a smiling, good-time-having Charlie Daniels absolutely shredding the fiddle, just like he did in “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”
It first appears that he is playing in some sort of concert venue, but the camera eventually pans out to show that Daniels had actually stood up in a fancy restaurant and taken the instrument from the in-house fiddle player (something he might’ve actually done). Once he wraps up, he hands back the fiddle and hilariously says:
“That’s how you do it, son.”
God Bless Charlie Daniels, a true legend, even in a commercial spot lasting a mere 30-seconds. Take a look:
