(Nashville, Tenn. – October 13, 2011) Joel ‘Taz’ DiGregorio, longtime keyboard player and vocalist for The Charlie Daniels Band, has passed away.

DiGregorio died Wednesday night as a result of injuries he sustained in a single car accident in Cheatham County, TN, while driving to meet the CDB tour bus. The accident occurred on I-40 West of Nashville.  The band was scheduled to depart for Cumming, GA, for a concert appearance at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival on Oct. 13^th.

The CDB has cancelled their concerts scheduled for tonight, Oct. 13^th in Cumming, GA. at the Cumming Country Fair and Festival and Saturday, Oct. 15^th in Waterbury, CT. at the Palace Theater.

From Southbridge, Mass., Taz was an original member of the CDB for over 40 years and a co-writer on many CDB songs, including “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”

“I am in shock now, Taz was one of my best friends,” says Charlie Daniels. “The CDB family has lost a great friend and musician. We traveled many miles together and shared so many nights on the road. We’re going to miss you buddy. You were one of a kind and will never be forgotten.  We send our deepest condolences to the family.”

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Crain, John Thomas, Jr., “Tommy” – Age 59 of Franklin, TN. Jan 13, 2011. Preceded in death by his daughter, Ella Helen Crain. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Crain (Helen), his wife, Melissa Williams Crain, his daughter, Ann Crain McDuffee, his grandson, Hunter McDuffee (the joy of his life), his brother Billy Crain (Sandy), his sister Sherry Crain Arledge (James) and many nieces and nephews.

Tommy attended Parmer School and Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville. He began piano lessons when he was six years old, learned how to play the ukulele in the 6th grade and won a talent contest in grammar school. Tommy went on to master all stringed instruments, including guitar, banjo and the pedal steel. He played in various local bands in Nashville, the most well known being Flat Creek Band, in which his brother Billy also played guitar. Tommy was a member of Buckeye when they opened for The Charlie Daniels Band at the first Volunteer Jam in 1974.

Tommy joined The Charlie Daniels Band in 1975, the same year he married his sweetheart, Melissa. He joined The CDB for a 15-year run, playing on over 20 albums and co-writing over 60 songs with the group, including the Grammy Award-winning song, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” During his years with The CDB, Tommy became one of the most influential musicians in Southern Rock Music, as well as on the world stage.

In 1989, Tommy left The CDB to help his wife raise their daughter, Ann, and assist in Melissa’s career of equestrian endurance riding, which became a passion of Tommy’s. He was employed by Rogers Remodeling of Franklin, TN, Southbound Trains of Franklin,TN, and was the leader of Tommy Crain and the Crosstown Allstars of Atlanta.

Tommy had fans all over the world and was a unique, creative and precious human being. He was known to his friends as Wild Man, but to his grandson, he was just The Bopper. A Memorial Service will be held for friends and family. Details are pending. Donations can be made to the Nashville Local Chapter of MUSICANS ON CALL, 1313 21st Avenue, Oxford House, Suite 1002, Nashville, TN, 37232.

Sponsored by Middle Tennessee Ford Dealers

(Nashville, TN – Aug. 4, 2010)  The Charlie Daniels Band is set to headline the 2010 Wilson County Fair on Monday, Aug. 16, to benefit Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry.

The 2010 Wilson County Fair takes place Aug. 13-21 and includes a performance this year by The Charlie Daniels Band, sponsored by Burchett Ford Lincoln Mercury of Lebanon.  The concert is held in the Exposition Center of the James E. Ward Agricultural Center and features the CDB’s award-winning mix of rock, country, bluegrass, blues and gospel.  Daniels, a Wilson County resident, is known for giving back to the community where he lives and selected Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry as the charity for this year’s concert.

Fair admission on Aug. 16 will be increased by $1, with the additional funds going to Joseph’s Storehouse Food Ministry.  Canned or non-perishable food will also be collected for the organization at all fair gates.  Burchett Ford Lincoln Mercury of Lebanon sponsors the concert and fair.

During Charlie Daniels 50+ year career, he has scored hits on rock, country, pop and Christian charts and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Jan. 19, 2008.  He was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009.   Daniels has received numerous awards from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Gospel Music Association and also won a Grammy Award.  His signature song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” topped both country and pop charts, bringing him international acclaim.  Additionally, Daniels’ strong support for the U.S. military has brought him numerous accolades and solidified his stature as an American patriot.

On August 10, The Charlie Daniels Band will release a new collection of patriotic songs titled Land That I Love. The full-length release, co-produced by Daniels, Patrick Kelly and Casey Wood, features 15 tracks, including newly recorded studio versions of “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010.”  “Iraq Blues” was written during previous Charlie Daniels Band tours in Iraq, and the 2010 update of “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010” includes an additional verse the iconic musician wrote to “reflect life in America in the 21st.

Land That I Love will be available digitally through most major online retailers, including iTunes, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com and in select retail stores on Aug. 10.  The “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010” singles are both currently available at iTunes and Amazon.com.

For more information, please visit www.wilsoncountyfair.net.

Patriotic themed release includes new versions of “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010”

(Nashville, TN – Aug. 2, 2010)  Legendary Blue Hat Records/E1 Entertainment act, The Charlie Daniels Band, is set to release a new collection of patriotic songs on Aug. 10 titled Land That I Love.

The full-length release, co-produced by Daniels, Patrick Kelly and Casey Wood, features 15 tracks, including newly recorded studio versions of “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010.”  “Iraq Blues” was written during previous Charlie Daniels Band tours in Iraq, and the 2010 update of “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010” includes an additional verse the iconic musician wrote to “reflect life in America in the 21st

Other songs on the collection include Daniels classics such as “Simple Man,” “This Ain’t No Rag, It’s A Flag,” “In America,” “Still in Saigon” and more.  Land That I Love will be available digitally through most major online retailers, including iTunes, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com and in select retail stores on Aug. 10.  The “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010” singles are both currently available at iTunes and Amazon.com.

The Charlie Daniels Band continues their busy tour schedule through the end of 2010, kicking off a run of Sean Hannity Freedom Concert performances on August 6 in Jackson, N.J.  For more information and updated CDB tour dates, visit www.CharlieDaniels.com.

Land That I Love century.” track listing:

1. My Beautiful America
2. America, I Believe In You
3. American Farmer
4. Let Freedom Ring
5. (What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010

6. This Ain’t No Rag, It’s A Flag
7. Still In Saigon
8. The Last Fallen Hero
9. In America
10. Star Spangled Banner
11. Freedom And Justice For All
12. Iraq Blues
13. Simple Man
14. Red Skelton’s Pledge Of Allegiance
15. Summer Of ‘68

The legendary, Grammy-award winning Charlie Daniels Band headlined the second concert in NSAI’s “IT ALL BEGINS WITH A SONG” Performance Series at the Wildhorse Saloon on Thursday night (8/27). The packed house was treated to a few tunes by Old Union prior to an energetic performance by the CDB, which included hits from “Long Haired Country Boy” and “The South’s Gonna Do It Again” to a powerful version of “How Great Thou Art.” As the night concluded, Charlie was presented with BMI MillionAir Awards for one million performances of “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “In America,” “Drinking My Baby Goodbye,” and four million performances of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He also received specially autographed lyrics of the “Tennessee Waltz” from NSAI for his contributions to the music industry. During their final song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the CDB was accompanied by Pro Golfer John Daly. For more information on the series, visit www.nashvillesongwriters.com and check out the CDB at www.charliedaniels.com.

Pictured (L-R): AristoMedia President Jeff Walker; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison; Charlie Daniels’ Manager/Co-owner Blue Hat Records David Corlew; Daniels; Daly and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams.

Photo Credit: Bev Moser / Moments By Moser