Charlie Daniels is a name most people in this part of the country instantly recognize. In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a corner of this nation where people are not at least familiar with the titan of country music and his smash 1979 country rock single, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” June 1, The Charlie Daniels Band brings the Southern Uprising Tour to North Carolina for one night to play a show at Fayetteville’s CrownTheater.

Daniels is 81 years old this year, but he shows no signs of slowing down. Since his self-titled, debut album was released in 1971, Daniels has been zig-zagging all over the United States. In all that time, he has fallen in love with America over and over. When asked what his favorite place is to visit while out on the road, Daniels said, “I love it all. I love this nation. I like to play anywhere I can get grits for breakfast.” He laughed and continued, “Give me a stage and a room full of people, and I’m ready to rock.”

For Daniels, North Carolina is home. He was born in 1936 in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the state remains a source of inspiration for him. “That’s where my dream started,” he said. While he was a teenager in North Carolina, he learned his first three-chord song on guitar. “I learned to play on an old guitar. Once I could play the G/C/D chords, I could play a whole song, and that was the most exciting thing to happen to me. After I learned those three chords on a guitar, I wanted nothing more than to be a professional musician. All of that started back there in Carolina.”

The Charlie Daniels Band is not alone on the Southern Uprising Tour. The Marshall Tucker Band, longtime friends of Daniels, is also on the bill.

Daniels reminisced about the time he met The Marshall Tucker Band: “I met Marshall Tucker Band in about 1973 or ’74. We were playing a show together in Nashville.”

Daniels said he walked into their dressing room and made a joke about their junior high school in Spartanburg, South Carolina. “Big ole smiles broke out on their faces,” he said. “We just hit it off. ”The two bands have been frequent tour companions ever since.

Daniels promises the people of Fayetteville and the surrounding areas a great show. He has built his career on entertaining his audiences. When asked if he would like to say anything to the people of Fayetteville, he said, “Come let us entertain you. That’s what we’re about. From the time we hit the stage to the time we leave, that’s what we do. Playing music is a pure joy to us, but it wouldn’t be a joy if it weren’t for you.”

The Southern Uprising Tour marks the end of the 82nd season of Community Concerts in Fayetteville. Community Concerts prides itself in bringing notable entertainment to the community. The organization also awards college music scholarship seach year to promising local high school graduates.

Community Concerts also produces the Fayetteville Music Hall of Fame.This year’s inductees to the Hall of Fame are Buck Hodge, the minister of music at Northwood Temple Church, and Bill Ayerbe of the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for The Charlie Daniels Band with The Marshall Tucker Band at the Crown Theater range in price from $35 to $100 and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.CapeFearTix.com or by phone at 888-257-6208. Additionally, tickets can be purchased at the Crown Complex Box Office and the Leisure Travel Office located on Fort Bragg. The concert is scheduled for Friday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m.