Ira Dean Pays Tribute to Charlie Daniels

Multi-platinum country singer-songwriter Ira Dean, who’s worked with notable names like Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, and Darius Rucker, is set to release a new song titled “What Does Charlie Daniels Do?”

Reflecting on Daniels, Dean remarked, “Charlie was a patriot and a true American poet. He cherished his faith, family, and country. He was a dear friend, and I miss him immensely.” Dean shared his thoughts during an interview on Breitbart News Daily, where he will also be hosting Mike Slater this Friday. “He was like a combination of Jesus and John Wayne,” he added.

Prompted by the growing national divisions and fading pride in America, Dean collaborated with songwriter Jeffrey Steele to create his new song. “It’s like a taboo now to show pride in America. If you wear a shirt with the flag, some might label you as a racist,” Dean expressed. “But to me, America doesn’t have a color. We’re all together here—Black, white, yellow, green, and so on. I’m proud to be part of this nation.”

He hopes for a resurgence of patriotism among people, urging, “We need to love our country and set aside hatred. We are divided right now, but we are all Americans. Let’s unite and make this country a better place.”

His song isn’t just a reflection of his thoughts but also a call-out to left-wing rocker Neil Young, claiming that those who stand up for freedom are deserving of respect. Dean mentioned how he wanted to collaborate with singer Ted Nugent, adding, “We were writing, and I couldn’t help but put his name in the song. Once we finished, I called Ted and said, ‘I hope you don’t mind.’”

“Ted called me afterward, asking me to have him on the track for a guitar solo,” Dean recalled, reminiscing about their collaboration, which has quickly risen to number one across all genres on iTunes.

The song features lyrics rooted in personal experiences. Dean recalled, “I was passionate about self-destruction back then, battling alcoholism. Charlie was one of the few who cared enough to pray for me during that tough time.” After a decade of struggle, he found himself sober and performed a show in Daniels’ honor in 2020—a moment Dean cherishes dearly.

Part of the proceeds from “What Does Charlie Daniels Do?” will support Charlie Daniels’ Journey Home Project, which assists veterans transitioning back to civilian life. It’s a fitting tribute, as Daniels co-founded the initiative in 2014.

On a broader note, Dean remarked on the success of his song “I’m the Only One,” a patriotic anthem in collaboration with Jeffrey Steele that previously topped the charts. “It was Aaron Lewis’s first number one song in 22 years,” he said, reflecting on its significance. “It’s only the ninth track since 1958 to debut at number one on Billboard.”

Dean’s music, inspired by personal experiences and reverence for Charlie Daniels, speaks to a larger narrative of unity and pride for one’s country.