SCROLL DOWN FOR ENGLISH VERSION

In occasione dell’intervista realizzata a Charlie Daniels (si trova QUI), di poco successiva alla pubblicazione della recensione del suo ultimo album (l’unica realizzata in Italia, al momento. Si trova QUI), pubblichiamo una breve storia del Volunteer Jam - rassegna organizzata da Charlie Daniels nel Volunteer State of Tennessee - fornita da egli stesso all’intervistatore.
Ogni concerto è stato caratterizzato da una lunga lista di ospiti speciali che apparvero sul palco con Charlie e la sua band tra cui Ted Nugent, Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker Band, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tammy Wynette, Roy Acuff, Carl Perkins, Alabama, Don Henley, Barefoot Jerry e molti altri. Molti di questi concerti sono stati trasmessi in diretta radiofonica.

BREVE STORIA DEL VOLUNTEER JAM

VOLUNTEER JAM I: 4 Ottobre 1974, War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, TN. La prima edizione (biglietti ben presto esauriti) nasce come celebrazione per il loro primo concerto nella città natale. Tra gli altri, presenti membri della Marshall Tucker Band e della Allman Brothers Band. Alcune registrazioni di questo evento furono incluse nell’album della Charlie Daniels Band “Fire on the Mountain” (e 100 stazioni radiofoniche ricevettero un'ora di nastri riportanti la manifestazione).

VOLUNTEER JAM II: 12 settembre 1975, Murphy Centro, Murfreesboro, TN (13.000 persone, tra organizzatore e pubblico, per una manifestazione i cui biglietti andarono esauriti in prevendita). La serata documenta il film, "Volunteer Jam", il primo dedicato al southern rock. L’aristocrazia del genere musicale – tra cui la Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts e Chuck Leavell della Allman Brothers Band – fu impreziosita da ospiti quali Alvin Lee dei Ten Years After, Roni Stoneman, Jamie Nichel, Karl Himmel, Billy Joe Shaker e Jimmy Hall dei Wet Willie. La trasmissione fu trasmessa da 120 stazioni radio.

VOLUNTEER JAM III: 8 gennaio 1977, Auditorium Comunale, Nashville, TN (terzo tutto esaurito). La rassegna assume connotazioni formali con l’interessamento sindaco e governatore. Più di 250 stazioni trasmisero l’evento via radio (compresa la nota King Biscuit Radio Network).

VOLUNTEER JAM IV: 14 Gennaio 1978, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN (tutto esaurito in prevendita). La televisione locale produsse documentari e lungometraggi notturni mentre la King Biscuit presentò un uno dei suoi speciali annuali di 90 minuti, trasmissione che raggiunse 18 milioni di ascoltatori nella sola costa orientale. La Epic pubblicò parte di questo evento e di quello che precedente. Molti gli ospiti: Paul Hornsby, Sea Level, Wet Willie, Willie Nelson, Toy Caldwell, Bonnie Bramlett, Myron Lefevere, Winters Brothers Band, Papa John Creach, Stillwater, Sanford-Townsend, Jim Dandy dei Black Oak Arkansas, Fingers Taylor dei Coral Reefers, Mac Gayden.

VOLUNTEER JAM V: 13 gennaio 1979, January 13, 1979, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN. La Charlie Daniels Band vi esegue per la prima materiale tratto dall'album (doppio disco di platino) “Million Mile Reflections”, tra cui "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", certamente il maggior successo dell’artista (votato "Single of the Year" dalla Country Music Association). Sull’evento viene realizzato un documentario della PBS, una speciale trasmissione in diretta in sei città del Tennessee, nonché via WLIR a Long Island, New York.

VOLUNTEER JAM VI: 12 gennaio 1980, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN. Più di 25 tra bands e artisti. Trasmessa in diretta da cinque stazioni radio locali, registrata per una trasmissione della King Biscuit. L'evento è stato oggetto di un programma televisivo. Tra gli ospiti Ted Nugent e Ray Price.

VOLUNTEER JAM VII: 17 GENNAIO 1981, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN. Una bella rappresentazione della musica popolare americana contemporanea che comprendeva dall’honky tonk al rhythm & blues, dal cajun country all’heavy metal. Suonati oltre 82 brani, trasmessi in diretta da sei stazioni radio in Tennessee e da WKLS in Atlanta. Ancora una volta, la King Biscuit ha registrato l‘evento. Tra gli ospiti, Roy Acuff, The Jordanaires, Ted Nugent, Johnny Lee, Billy Joel, Mickey Gilley, Delbert McClinton, Crystal Gayle e Bobby Bare. Parte della performance è stata documentata nell’album Volunteer Jam VII.

VOLUNTEER JAM VIII: 30 gennaio 1982, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN.
Il governatore del Tennessee proclama il 30 gennaio 1982 quale "Charlie Daniels Day". E così in effetti è stato. Un pubblico di 10.000 persone, venticinque artisti e bands (Roy Acuff, The Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Lee e i Crystal Gayle, Dickie Betts, Quarterflash, George Thorogood), 75 brani eseguiti nel corso di una celebrazione durata 6 ore.

VOLUNTEER JAM IX: 22 GENNAIO 1983, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN. Una festa a sorpresa musicale di otto ore che ha offerto una varietà di musica jazz (Woody Herman), hard rock (Steve Walsh), funk (Larry Gatlin) e soul (James Brown). Trasmesso in diretta dal Volunteer Jam Radio Network nel Tennessee.

VOLUNTEER JAM X: 4 febbraio 1984, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN. “Number Ten” decretò la rassegna come “evento mediatico di portata internazionale”. L’evento è stato mandato in onda in tutto il mondo grazie a “Voice of America”. Ospiti vari presentatori (Dick Clark, Byron Allen di NBC’s “Real People” e il deejay di MTV’s Alan Hunter) e numerosi artisti tra cui The Dirt Band, Crystal Gayle, Emmy Lou Harris, Boxcar Willie, Exile, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Amy Grant, B.J. Thomas, Eugene Fodor, Rodney Crowell, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Peter Rowan.

VOLUNTEER JAM XI: 2 Febbraio 1985, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN. Ventiquattro artisti o bands per un totale di 88 brani. Un altro tutto esaurito, trasmesso in diretta dal “Volunteer Jam Radio Network” nel Tennessee. “Voice of America” ha nuovamente trasmesso l’evento "in diretta" in tutto il mondo, “Showtime” lo ha registrato per uno spettacolo andato in onda nello stesso anno. Tra gli artisti, Amy Grant, Ted Nugent, Alabama, Kris Kristofferson e Little Richard.

VOLUNTEER JAM XII: 12 Luglio, 1986, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN. La rassegna cambia collocazione temporale e divine estiva (da invernale che era) ricordando i grandi festival rock di un'altra epoca. Una folla record (14.000 fan) per uno spettacolo di 10 ore comprendente l’apparizione di 35 artisti o bands per più di 100 canzoni. La “Nashville Network” registrò un’ora dell’evento mandato in onda il 25 ottobre 1986 e 23 aprile 1987 mentre la “ABC Radio Network” ne realizzo uno speciale di due ore per “Music of America”.

VOLUNTEER JAM XIII: 6 settembre 1987, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN. Charlie Daniels annuncia la riunione dei veterani del southern rock Lynyrd Skynyrd. La manifestazione ha incassato più di 250 mila dollari ed è stata visto da un pubblico stimato in 100 milioni di spettatori attraverso il “Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon". La CDB debutta con il nuovo singolo "Bottom Line". Altri ospiti: Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Mason Ruffner, David Lynn Jones, William Lee Golden, Great White, Jimmy Davis and Junction, Grinderswitch. Registrato per due speciali sulla rete Nashville, in onda in diretta dalla radio WKDF, registrato per la trasmissione in differita “Voice of America”.

VOLUNTEER JAM XIV: 4 maggio 1991, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN. Dopo una pausa di tre anni e mezzo, 12.000 fan accorrono per ascoltare vari generi musicali: country, rock, gospel e blues (la stravaganza è data dalla sponsorizzazione di “Cabin Fever Entertainment Inc.”). L'evento è stato registrato per la trasmissione "Country Music USA" e la stazione delle Forze Armate americane. Tra gli ospiti Travis Tritt, John Kay degli Steppenwolf, B.B. King.

VOLUNTEER JAM XV: 20 Settembre 1992, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN. Oltre 10.000 fan accorsi per vedere i Jo-El Sonnier, Cactus Brothers, Mark Collie & Eddie Rabbitt, Poco, Confederate Railroad, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Hal Ketchum, Paulette Carlson & John Berry, Toy Caldwell, Pee Wee King, John Kay degli Steppenwolf, Willie Nelson.

VOLUNTEER JAM XVI: 28 ottobre 1996, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN. Per la prima in versione acustica, la rassegna rappresenta l’occasione per festeggiare il 60° compleanno di Charlie Daniels. Partecipano David Ball, John Berry, Tracy Byrd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tracy Lawrence, David Lee Murphy, Victoria Shaw, Jimmy Sala e Lorrie Morgan.

In anni più recenti, il Volunteer Jam si è concretizzato in veri e propri tour. Ne sono stati realizzati tre:

-       VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR '99: questo tour, il primo mai avviato in tutti questi anni, ha visto partecipare la Marshall Tucker Band, i Molly Hatchet e, in date diverse, Hank Williams Jr con ospiti d’eccezione quali Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Travis Trill, Lee Roy Parnell, Montgomery Gentry, Rhett Akins, Tracy Byrd. Il tour è stato seguito da più di 377.000 persone.

-       VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR 2000: la seconda edizione del tour prende il via da Indianapolis il 5 maggio 2000. In scaletta Hank Williams Jr, i Little Feat, Edgar Winter.

-       VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR 2001: sono stavolta coinvolti I 38 Special, la Dickey Betts Band, Trent Summar and the New Row Mob.

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ENGLISH VERSION

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE VOLUNTEER JAM

The Volunteer Jam Concert is the Charlie Daniels Band’s Homecoming Performance in the Volunteer State of Tennessee.

Each concerts featured a long list of special guests appearing onstage with Charlie and his band including Ted Nugent, The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tammy Wynette, Roy Acuff, Carl Perkins, Alabama, Don Henley, Barefoot Jerry and many more. Many of these concerts were broadcast live on the radio.

VOLUNTEER JAM I: October 4, 1974, War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville, TN as a way of celebrating their first hometown sellout concert, The CDB invited numerous musical compadres to stop by “and do some jamming.” Among those who dropped in were members of the Marshall Tucker Band and The Allman Brothers Band. Recordings from this Jam are included on the CDB’s Fire On The Mountain LP, and 100 radio stations aired one-hour tapes of the event.

VOLUNTEER JAM II: September 12, 1975, Murphy Center, Murfreesboro, TN
The first year’s 2400 revelers and 10,600 of their friends returned for another advance sellout. The evening documented in “Volunteer Jam,” the first Southern rock motion picture. The aristocracy of Southern rock - The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts and Chuck Leavell of The Allman Brothers Band, and Dru Lombar of Grinderswitch - “volunteered” with The CDB. Alvin Lee of Ten Years After, Hee Haw regular Roni Stoneman, top ranked sessionmen Jamie Nichol and Karl Himmel, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie and Billy Joe Shaver were also among the performing guests. Taped broadcasts were aired on 120 radio stations.

VOLUNTEER JAM III: January 8, 1977, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Another advance sellout included mail orders from as far away as New York and California. The rowdy bash attained the stature of a civic event inspiring mayoral and gubernatorial proclamations. Radio coverage doubled the first year’s programmers. More than 250 stations aired two-hour tapes of Volunteer Jam III via King Biscuit Radio Network.

VOLUNTEER JAM IV: January 14, 1978: Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
More parties, more guests, more proclamations, another advance sellout, and more press. Local television produced documentaries and nightly features, King Biscuit presented Volunteer Jam on one of its six annual 90-minute “specials,” a live AM broadcast reached 18 million listeners on the Eastern seaboard. Subsequently, Epic released a two-record set Volunteer Jam III and IV. Paul Hornsby mixed the best performances from the two Jam including; The CDB, Sea Level, Wet Willie, Willie Nelson, Toy Caldwell, Bonnie Bramlett, Myron LeFevere, The Winters Brothers Band, and Papa John Creach. Stillwater, Sanford - Townsend, Jim Dandy Mangrum of Black Oak Arkansas, Fingers Taylor of the Coral Reefers and Mac Gayden also performed at this Jam.

VOLUNTEER JAM V: January 13, 1979, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
The CDB performed for the first time material from the now double platinum album Million Mile Reflections (Epic), including “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” which later became an international hit and was voted “Single of the Year” by the Country Music Association. Volunteer Jam V was a stellar weekend of music, which spawned a PBS documentary, a special live broadcast over the “Volunteer Jam” network to six Tennessee cities, and live broadcast via WLIR to Long Island, NY.

VOLUNTEER JAM VI: January 12, 1980, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
More than 25 guest artists ranging in style from Ted Nugent to Ray Price helped The CDB celebrate their breakthrough to multiple platinum sales. Volunteer Jam VI was broadcast live over five local radio stations, and recorded for a syndicated broadcast over the 250-station King Biscuit series. Epic’s Volunteer Jam VI documents the event, which was also the subject of a television program and syndicated by Show Biz, Inc.

VOLUNTEER JAM VII: January 17, 1981, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Another SRO audience was treated to a wide sampler of contemporary American popular music which included everything from Texas honky tonk and rhythm & blues to cajun country and heavy metal rock. The CDB and guests performed more than 82 songs, which were broadcast live over six Tennessee radio stations and Atlanta’s WKLS and again recorded for broadcast over the King Biscuit stations. Guests included Roy Acuff, The Jordanaires, Ted Nugent, Johnny Lee, Billy Joel, Mickey Gilley, Delbert McClinton, Crystal Gayle, and Bobby Bare. Evening is documented on Volunteer Jam VII LP.

VOLUNTEER JAM VIII: January 30, 1982, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
The governor of Tennessee proclaimed January 30, 1982 “Charlie Daniels Day,” and indeed it was. More than 10,000 CDB friends and fans made up the capacity crowd at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium for Volunteer Jam VIII. Scores more joined him on-stage. Twenty-five acts, from Roy Acuff, The Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Lee and Crystal Gayle to Dickie Betts, Quarterflash, and George Thorogood performed more than 75 songs during the six-hour celebration. The Jam is the only hometown appearance of The Charlie Daniels Band and each year reaffirms that it’s “great to be alive and to be in Tennessee.”

VOLUNTEER JAM IX: January 22, 1983, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
An eight-hour musical surprise party that features a variety of music from Woody Herman’s big band jazz to Steve Walsh’s hard rock and Larry Gatlin’s slick country to James Brown’s funk and soul. It was broadcast live over the Volunteer Jam Radio Network in Tennessee and was taped for national syndication.

VOLUNTEER JAM X: February 4, 1984, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Number Ten marked the Jam debut as an international media event. The CDB and more than 30 guest artists entertained millions around the world via an unprecedented live Voice of America broadcast, made possible through special funding from Skoal. The SRO event was later aired as a two-hour TV special, produced by Sound Seventy Productions and Dick Clark Productions, and syndicated by Multimedia Entertainment. Television personalities Dick Clark, Byron Allen of NBC’s “Real People,” and MTV’s deejay Alan Hunter were on hand. Performing guests included The Dirt Band, Crystal Gayle, Emmy Lou Harris, Boxcar Willie, Exile, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Amy Grant, B.J. Thomas, Eugene Fodor, Rodney Crowell, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Peter Rowan, among others.

VOLUNTEER JAM XI: February 2, 1985, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Twenty-four guest performers joined The CDB to perform more than 88 songs. Once again, the show was a sellout and was a broadcast live over the Volunteer Jam Radio Network in Tennessee. Voice of America broadcast “live” to millions throughout the world, and Showtime taped the event for a syndicated show, which aired later that year. Among the artists who performed were Amy Grant, Ted Nugent, Alabama, Kris Kristofferson and Little Richard.

VOLUNTEER JAM XII: July 12, 1986, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN
Traditionally an indoor mid-winter event, this edition of the Jam marked its transition to an outdoor bash reminiscent of the great rock festivals of another era. A record Jam crowd of more than 14,000 fans was treated to a 10-hour show including guest appearances by more than 35 acts performing over 100 songs highlighted by the historic reunion performance of the Allman Brothers Band. Voice of America broadcast part of the show live. The Nashville Network taped a one-hour special, which aired on October 25, 1986, and April 23, 1987, and the ABC Radio Network taped a two-hour special for “Music of America.”

VOLUNTEER JAM XIII: September 6, 1987, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN
Charlie Daniels breaks tradition and announces plans for a reunion of Southern rock vets Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Jam. This was the venue’s first sell-out. The event grossed more than $250,000 and was seen, in part by an estimated audience of 100 million via the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.” The CDB premiered their new single “Bottom Line” at this Jam and that performance was also made into a video. In addition to a set by The CDB, Jam XIII featured the first performance of the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd band as well as performances by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Mason Ruffner, David Lynn Jones, William Lee Golden, Great White, Jimmy Davis and Junction, and Grinderswitch. Volunteer Jam XIII was taped for two specials on The Nashville Network, broadcast live over Nashville radio station WKDF and was taped for later broadcast over the Voice of America and for syndications to domestic rock format radio.

VOLUNTEER JAM XIV:    May 4, 1991, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN
After a three-and-a-half year hiatus, 12,000 fans of all ages came to sample musical entertainment spanning from country, rock, and gospel to blues. The extravaganza was sponsored by Cabin Fever Entertainment, Inc. The event drew worldwide attention and was taped for broadcast worldwide on the Voice of America’s “Country Music USA” program, hosted by Judy Massa, and also for the Armed Forces Radio Network. Renegade rocker Travis Tritt had the crowd going wild, as Tanya Tucker delighted the crowd with her sassy performance. Classic rocker John Kay of Steppenwolf got a heart-felt standing ovation from the Jam audience as he led his band through “Born To Be Wild” and “Magic Carpet Ride”. A musical highlight was set by one of the greatest blues figures, B.B. King. Playing that unmistakable signature sound on his guitar, Lucille, King took the house down with hits like “Let The Good Times Roll” and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business.” In keeping with Jam tradition, the evening was brought to a triumphant conclusion with a tribute to ‘70’s Southern rock, “The South’s Gonna Do It (Again).”

VOLUNTEER JAM XV: September 20, 1992, Starwood Amphitheatre, Nashville, TN. Over 10,000 fans flocked to Starwood Amphitheatre for Charlie Daniels’ 15th Volunteer Jam. The lineup ranged from Cajun rocker Jo-El Sonnier, Cactus Brothers, Mark Collie & Eddie Rabbitt to RCA’s pop country band Poco. Confederate Railroad, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Hal Ketchum, Paulette Carlson & John Berry continued to entertain the crowd. Toy Caldwell, participant at all 15 Jams, left the crowd screaming for more. Country Music Hall of Famer, Pee Wee King, touched the hearts of the crowd with his performance of “The Tennessee Waltz”. John Kay, former Steppenwolf guitarist, brought the fans to their feet with his searing version of “Born To Be Wild, and in keeping with Jam tradition, Daniels finally announced his surprise guest, Willie Nelson. Following Willie was the ‘Saturday Night Live’ band leader, G. E. Smith, who proved that a New York rocker could make himself right at home in the heartland of country, blues and southern rock. Cabin Fever Entertainment, Inc. was the exclusive sponsor of the event.

VOLUNTEER JAM XVI:   October 28, 1996, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville, TN
The first ever acoustic Volunteer Jam commemorated Charlie Daniels’ 60th birthday. Joining Charlie for a very special birthday party included David Ball, John Berry, Tracy Byrd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tracy Lawrence, David Lee Murphy, Victoria Shaw, Jimmy Hall & Lorrie Morgan.



VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR

VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR ‘99: The highly successful Charlie Daniels Band Volunteer Jam tour ‘99 featuring the Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet and on several dates, Hank Williams, Jr. culminated its 33 date run with rumors flying about the 2000 tour. The tour played to over 377,000 people. The stage was on fire with special guests, which is a Volunteer Jam tradition. Some of the surprise guests included Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Travis Trill, Lee Roy Parnell, Montgomery Gentry, Rhett Akins, and Tracy Byrd. Habitat for Humanity joined a charity partnership with Daniels and the Volunteer Jam tour ‘99 and several homes were built throughout the tour with Daniels on hand to deliver house keys to the recipient. The tour was produced by SFX Touring.

VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR 2000: The Volunteer Jam Tour 2000 kicks off in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 5. The legendary concert event is embarking on its eighteenth run. This year’s tour lineup varies with The Charlie Daniels Band, Hank Williams, Jr., and Little Feat through June 4, then Edgar Winter will replace Little Feat on the remaining dates. The Volunteer Jam 2000’s hometown stop in Nashville, Tennessee will not include Hank Williams Jr., but will hold to tradition and have many surprise guests.

VOLUNTEER JAM TOUR 2001: The Charlie Daniels Band rocked amphitheatres on the Volunteer Jam Tour 2001 with 38 Special, The Dickey Betts Band and newcomer Trent Summar and the New Row Mob. The legendary Charlie Daniels Band tour was sponsored by Diamond Cut Jeans and kicked off in Charlotte, NC on May 11th and wraped up in Hartford, CT on June 10th.