Each Wednesday we take a trip down memory lane to highlight a classic country artist. This week we are featuring the legendary Charlie Daniels.

Charlie is from North Carolina and grew up listening many different kinds of music including Pentecostal gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and blues and of course, country. Once he graduated from high school he was already a master at the guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin.  So, he hit the road and formed a rock 'n' roll band.

He spent a good part of his early career working with Bob Dylan and then in 1971, he released his first album.  While pursuing a solo career, he did play fiddle on many Marshall Tucker Band albums.

Over the course of his career he's had several hits including The South's Gonna Do It Again and The Devil Went Down To Georgia.  That song is still very much widely played and a hard rock version was used for the video game Guitar Hero III.  Let's just say Charlie  was absolutely not a fan of the cover and the devil sometimes winning the game.

Charlie is an extremely opinionated entertainer.  I think we've all heard his take on something at one point or another.  He has had some health issues but he still continues to perform.  In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing and skydiving.

Check out this video interview Charlie did at a Veteran's Day Parade in Florida two years ago.

The Country Classic Flashback is brought to you by Midwest Machinery on East Highway 23 in Sauk Rapids, with 12 other Central Minnesota locations.

More From 98.1 Minnesota's New Country