Country music icon Charlie Daniels died from a hemorrhagic stroke in 2020 at age 83. One would rightfully think that a fan would therefore never be able to see him perform live again. That theory will soon be proved false. Sort of.
On July 4, as part of the many festivities to help celebrate the United States' 250th birthday, a hologram of Daniels will "perform" at the Fort Campbell, Kentucky, military base. The show will also feature Aaron Tippin, Eric Lee Beddingfield, and the 101st Airborne Division Band.
How it feels for Tippin and Beddingfield to be upstaged by a hologram is anyone's guess. They sure aren't going to complain about it, and will likely put forth how proud they are to do music in front of those people defending the nation. Still, the idea of a hologram is an odd idea, especially as a headliner.
Charlies Daniels' hologram to perform on July 4
Prince, for instance, never wanted to be part of the technology and called it the most "demonic thing imaginable." His point was that if he were meant to be performing somewhere, he would still be alive. Things happen for a reason, he thought.
Moreover, the use of a hologram could be a way for others to make money off a well-known artist who has died. That doesn't appear to be the case with Charlie Daniels, though.
Daniels' son, Charlie Daniels Jr., is helping put the show on, and this will be the first time the hologram will be used. Doing so for such an occasion in front of an audience that makes sense, at least gives credence to the use of Daniels' image. (What isn't known is if money will be made from the show, but that might not be the case.)
Daniels had a diverse career well beyond country music, though he was an icon in the genre and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2007, and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. He also played on three Bob Dylan albums (bass, and not fiddle), and he created songs with Leonard Cohen.
Charlie Daniels is probably best known for his 1979 hit, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," with its legendary fiddle solos. The song has been covered untold times by musicians of many different genres.