Country music icon Charlie Daniels received a memorial service fit for a legend which included large crowds of fans, law enforcement acting as pallbearers, military honors, and even performances from Trace Adkins and Vince Gill.
The gathering for the Country Music Hall of Fame musician – who died at the age of 83 on Monday after a stroke according to his publicist – was held at the World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Wednesday night.
As he was best known for his 1979 smash hit The Devil Went Down To Georgia no doubt he was deserving of an epic sendoff as there were several in attendance at church with thousands watching the livestream of the memorial on social media.
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Standing room only: Country music icon Charlie Daniels received a memorial service fit for a legend which included large crowds of fans, law enforcement acting as pallbearers, military honors, and even performances from Trace Adkins and Vince Gill
Legend: Country star Daniels died at the age of 83 on Monday after a stroke according to his publicist
Paying respects: Law enforcement were seen carrying the casket containing Daniels from the Sellars Funeral Home in Mt. Juliet
Tip of the cap: Several of his close friends and family carried the casket into the Hearst before proceeding to the memorial service
There were also a few outdoor areas in which people gathered around big screens to enjoy the celebration of life.
Some of countries biggest stars were not only in attendance but also paid tribute by performing including Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Gretchen Wilson, and Travis Tritt.
The singer, guitarist and fiddler was also an honorary brigadier general in the Tennessee State Guard and founded the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Paying tribute: Some of countries biggest stars were not only in attendance but also paid tribute by performing including Trace Adkins (left) and Vince Gill
Hitting the high notes: Gretchen Wilson also performed at the gala
Sad: Travis Tritt was also a featured performer
Send-off: As he was best known for his 1979 smash hit The Devil Went Down To Georgia no doubt he was deserving of an epic sendoff as there were several in attendance at church with thousands watching the livestream of the memorial on social media
Icon: There were also a few outdoor areas in which people gathered around big screens to enjoy the celebration of life
Sweet: Several fans sat out in the heat to watch the funeral service together
Tennessee’s adjutant general, Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, was joined by the university’s president and senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives to render the military honors at the outdoor service at a Mount Juliet funeral home.
The ceremony began with a flyover of Army Blackhawk helicopters. Holmes and university representatives later presented American flags to Daniels´ wife, Hazel, and son Charlie Daniels Jr.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee delivered remarks in between performances.
Hero’s exit: The Hearst was surrounded by law enforcement as they made their way from the memorial service
Call of duty: The singer, guitarist and fiddler was also an honorary brigadier general in the Tennessee State Guard and founded the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University as a military veteran is shown saluting the Hearst as it passes by
Exceptionalism: One of the cars at the service had a decal with a quote attributed to Daniels which read ‘Only two things protect America, the grace of Almighty God and the United States Military’
Still going strong: Charlie pictured performing during a memorial service for country music singer Troy Gentry at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 14, 2017, in Nashville
Daniels, a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, started out as a session musician, playing on Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline sessions.
Beginning in the early 1970s, his five-piece band toured extensively, sometimes doing 250 shows a year.
Throughout his career, Daniels performed at the White House, the Super Bowl, throughout Europe and often for troops in the Middle East.
Paying tribute: A fan wears a Charlie Daniels shirt as he applauds a performance at a memorial service for Daniels
Crowds: Trace Adkins performs during a memorial service for musician Charlie Daniels
Sing: The country star did a few numbers in honor of Daniels
Back in the day: Daniels, center, joins members of the Charlie Daniels Band with their Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 1980, as best country vocal performance by a group for their hit The Devil Went Down To Georgia