Soap Box

​I usually don't write about subjects like the one I'm going to broach today, because I, like I know many of you, dislike hearing people "blow their own horn" or brag on their achievements.

Believe me, that boasting is the furthest thing from my mind as I write this. Humility and thankfulness would be more in line with the emotions I'm feeling.

What I'm referring to is the recent announcement that in October of this year I will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

I have no words to adequately express what I feel in my heart, the surprise I felt when I was informed, the joy, the incredible fact that something I had dared not seriously even hoped for, something that was bestowed upon so few with so many deserving, had been brought into my life with no notice and not even an inkling of rumor.

It was dumbfounding.

The nomination and final selection of the Hall of Fame inductees is probably the most closely held secret in the County Music Association. The voting members are secret and rotate from year to year, the final choices kept completely confidential until the recipients are informed, and even after you are bound to secrecy until a press conference is held to announce the new inductees to the world.

I still have not gotten used to the fact of being member, or will be after October 16. We played the Opry recently and when the announcer, Bill Cody, introduced me as the newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, it was almost like, "What did he say?�

It's still in the process of dawning on me and even when it does I will still feel a thrill when I hear my name associated with the Hall of Fame.

God has given me so many of the desires of my heart.

I wanted to make a living playing music, that happened in 1958 when I cut the apron strings and left Wilmington, NC with a guitar, a dream and the determination to stick it out, no matter where the trail lead me.

I always wanted to live in Nashville, which happened in 1967 when at the behest of my friend Bob Johnston I moved my family to Music City USA and jumped into the race.

I wanted to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, which happened in 2008 and was one of the biggest milestones of my life and an honor that still thrills me to think about.

But the Hall of Fame is the one you don't even dare to dream about, the one you can't lobby for, where hit records and sold out shows are only one component of being considered for membership, where tradition could well take precedent over contemporary success, price versa, where all artists and behind the scenes movers and shakers are all considered, year after year and only three are chosen.

To be one of those three is a most humbling and emotional feeling that I cannot adequately articulate except to express my never ending gratitude, first of all to God, the Author of all blessing, to the members of the CMA who cast their votes for me, my patient and devoted family and my long time, faithful employees who have walked that long winding trail with me.

It's sure been fun and I can't wait to see what�s over the next hill.

What do you think?

Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels