Soap Box

May 4, 1991.

The Volunteer Jam was back after a four-year hiatus. There were a lot of changes in the CDB organization, and with the band’s record label.

First and foremost, the CDB had parted ways from their former management and concert promotion company and set up shop out in Wilson County, just right down the road from mom and dad’s house. And after an on again/off again attempt to move from CBS Records NYC office to Nashville in 1984, the move finally happened in 1988 with the release of ‘Homesick Heroes,’ and then ‘Simple Man’ in 1989, so it appeared to be a good time to bring back the Jam.

Sporting one of the smallest rosters in years, the 1991 Jam still brought out the faithful en masse, but this Jam brought out the best in country, classic rock, Gospel and blues.

Returning were guitarist Larry Howard, Toy Caldwell with his new band, The Toy Caldwell Band, Ted Nugent, Tanya Tucker, Bobby Jones & New Life, Wet Willie, former Marshall Tucker drummer, Paul Riddle, Jim “Dandy” Mangrum from Black Oak Arkansas and the return of two who were at the first Volunteer Jam in 1974, Tommy Crain and his brother, Billy, formed a band called Big Sir.

Tommy and Billy were in a band called Flat Creek Band, but I think I mistakenly wrote that Flat Creek Band had appeared at the first Jam, recently I learned that Flat Creek had broken up but both brothers were later both part of Buckeye which opened at the Volunteer Jam at War Memorial Auditorium in 1974.

The first-timers club consisted of country stars Joe Diffie, Robin Lee, and Travis Tritt, rockers John Kay and Steppenwolf and blues legend B.B. King.

Billy & Tommy Crain together were a powerhouse guitar duo. Both of them were outstanding guitar players in their own rights, but being able to share the stage was something special. Tommy, of course, is known as CDB guitar picker from 1975-1988 and Billy had stints with The Henry Paul Band, The Outlaws, and later The Bellamy Brothers, including writing their hit, “I’ll Give You All My Love Tonight.” He later would perform on dad’s last project, Beau Weevils, and his presence fit the project perfectly, but he was never a member of the CDB officially, but we’ll come back to that shortly.

Jim “Dandy” Mangrum belted out some of the best of Black Oak Arkansas, and also spoke to the crowd quite a bit in a way that was pure “Dandy.” In his already raspy voice, he channeled Michael Keaton’s Beetlejuice by just randomly throwing out the line from the movie, “I’ve come for your daughter, Chuck,” along with “Redrum! Redrum!” from The Shining thrown in for good measure.

Tanya Tucker was one of the few artists to have had success in her teens in the 70s and then come back strong years later as a major force in country music in the late 80s and early 90s, and at Jam XIV, she was at the peak of her comeback and was named “Female Vocalist of the Year” later in the year. And dad loved Tanya, although he always called her “Tonya.” I don’t think she ever corrected him, but I know she loved him too.

Ted Nugent was back, but if I remember this correctly, Ted had lost a battle with a chainsaw and nicked his leg or his knee and wasn’t nearly as mobile as he usually was. I think Ted was also on some heavy painkillers, and for someone who has spoken many times about having never done drugs, I think he misjudged the audience a bit, and commented about sitting during his performance, telling the audience not to worry him sitting on a stool, he was still going to “rip of their heads and S*** down their necks,” and then went into “Cat Scratch Fever” in all its glory, but as I was sitting next to my mom, it was a little uncomfortable.

Travis Tritt was also one of the hottest things going in country at the time, and he tore up the Jam stage with songs like “Country Club,” “Put Some Drive In Your Country,” and many other hits.

The CDB performed their hits as well as music from the ‘Renegade’ album. It was a great album, but failed to live up to the success of ‘Simple Man,’ and would soon lead to more changes for the band.

For me, the highlight of the evening performances was B.B. King. The bluesman was incredible to watch and listen to. I had gotten more familiar with him after watching U2’s ‘Rattle & Hum’ movie when he confessed that he could only play lead and couldn’t play cords, but I don’t think it hurt his career that much. 

He was about to introduce another song when dad or someone else said that they were running out of time since they had to be out by 11 at Starwood, but I caught up with him after he left the stage, introduced myself and told him that I was hoping he would have done the song he did with U2, “When Love Comes to Town.” Well, he said that was going to be the next song he was playing, but the tight schedule kept that from happening. 

Having B.B. King at a Jam was a dream come true for dad. He was a huge fan, and there’s a great picture of dad and B.B. and dad is just beaming.

And yes, once again to those who claimed the booing of James Brown at Jam XI was racially fueled, I offer yet another beloved African American artist who was NOT booed at a Volunteer Jam. B.B. brought it, and brought the house down.

The night closed with its usual all-star Jam, and everyone would be back again the following year for one more at Starwood.

We’re getting closer to Jam on August 18^th, and I wanted to follow up on something that I touched on earlier. CDB guitar player, Chris Wormer, had to make the hard decision that since the Jam is in the middle of the week, and he’s transitioning to a highly demanding non-music-related job, therefore he won’t be performing with the CDB however, Tommy Crain’s brother, Billy will be stepping in and taking the spot that his brother once occupied, that night, he will be a member of the CDB, and I’m looking forward to seeing Billy shine.

Billy and Travis Tritt, both veterans of Jam XIV will both be on hand for Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute to Charlie Daniels on August 18, 2021 at Bridgestone Arena. Get tickets HERE

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—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.