Pull out your spandex and your lycra for this one because we're going back to 1979 when the number one hit song in pop was "I Will Survive," by Gloria Gaynor. But that's not the only song you'll remember from the transition into the 80s. There was another one in 1979 that advanced to number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and as soon as you read the name (caution: it's only about 25 characters away), you'll be singing it the rest of the day. "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," was the most popular song the Charlie Daniels Band released in the band leader's five decades in the music industry. But where did Charlie Daniels live? Given the spotlight on the state of Georgia in that song, you might not place North Carolina and Charlie Daniels together. But the singer-songwriter was born here in North Carolina and called the state home until he was 22 years old.
So, where was Charlie Daniels from? Charlie Daniels' birthplace was the port city of Wilmington.
As a teen, he and his family moved inland to the tiny community of Gulf, North Carolina. Gulf (population, approximately 150) is located on U.S. 421 between Siler City and Sanford, a trip that usually takes 25 minutes
By the time he finished high school he was playing the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. He put together a band and they hit the road.
During his career he recorded a number of songs that reached music charts in the pop and country genres. He also can be heard playing fiddle for Hank Williams, Jr. and for the Marshall Tucker Band, among others. Interestingly, "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" was initially released in the Bluegrass category but quickly swept into both Country and Rock charts.
Although the whole band is credited with the lyrics for "The Devil Went Down To Georgia," it was the vocals performed by Daniels that earned him a Grammy in 1979 for Best Country Vocal Performance.
Legendary musician Charlie Daniels passed away in July 2020 from a bleed into his brain caused by a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 83.
Today, folks traveling on U.S. 421 between Sanford and Siler City, North Carolina, pass right through the small community where Daniels spent his teenage years.
At first glance, it may not seem like there's much to do here.
But if you stop at the J.R. Moore & Son country store that opened the year before Charlie Daniels was born then you'll begin to realize that just isn't true. Open since 1935, J.R. Moore & Son is a traditional general store that carries a little bit of everything - from clothing, like items from the Carhardt line, to hardware, shoes, groceries, and gifts.
You may even stumble upon the Charlie Daniels tribute plaque hanging right outside the store's front door.
Daniels put Gulf on the map - and now Gulf is keeping the spirit of Daniels alive. Visiting this old-timey store isn't the only thing to do while you're in Gulf though.
Right across the street from the country store you'll find the Haughton-McIver House.
Now on the National Register of Historic Places, it was built in the 1840s as a hotel and is now a residence. Perhaps take a moment to marvel at the ornate, two-story Victorian porch that adorns the front facade. You don't see these just anywhere in rural North Carolina.
A few hundred feet up the road and located right on U.S. 421, McIver Landing Canoe Park offers paddlers easy access to the Deep River which has a horseshoe bend that practically kisses the roadway as the river passes through Gulf.
The Deep River eventually flows into the Cape Fear River and is very popular with canoeing enthusiasts. The community of Gulf was named for the deep bend in the river at the point where this park sits. The river view is worth a stop, even if you don't have a canoe.
Have you ever wondered, "Where did Charlie Daniels live?" Imagine growing up in a tiny community of less than 150 people - in the 1940s and 50s. Now imagine that same community today with very few changes. This is the North Carolina Charlie Daniels called home for nine years before he moved to Nashville, Tennessee.
Did you know Charlie Daniels was born and raised in North Carolina? Think you'll ever visit the tiny community of Gulf? Read all about another point of interest only 11 miles from Gulf: There Are Still Bullet Holes From The Revolutionary War In The Walls Of The House In The Horseshoe In North Carolina. Then, combine the two for one awesome day trip!
Visiting the community of Gulf and need a place to stay? Take a look at this Barn Home in nearby Sanford.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
