Blue Hat Records Rebrands Charlie Daniels’ Beau Weevils Project

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Charlie Daniels Jr. (Blue Hat) and Hazel Daniels (Blue Hat). Photo: Courtesy of Absolute Publicity

The Charlie Daniels family and Blue Hat Records are breathing new life into the Songs in the Key of E collection by rebranding the project as Charlie Daniels & the Beau Weevils.

In 2018, Country Music Hall of Famer Daniels formed a new band at 81. The project grew out of the desire for Daniels and producer James Stroud to work together again, and Daniels had an idea for something that wasn’t a solo record but wasn’t the CDB either, something stripped down, raw, gritty and swampy. CDB bass player Charlie Hayward was recruited, as was Billy Crain, brother of CDB’s guitar player from 1975-1988, Tommy Crain. Wanting to distance the side project from the CDB, Daniels eventually settled on calling the band Beau Weevils and they recorded Songs in the Key of E. 

The rebranding into the new name will allow fans to more easily find it on streaming platforms. New pressings of the rebranded CD have been available since April, but the new digital and streaming packages dropped on June 27, and contain a short but fun exclusive recording of Daniels’ a cappella arrangement of “The Boll Weevil Song,” a very old blues number which now serves as a brief intro to this new/old sound.

This release also marks the first since Blue Hat President and co-founder David Corlew exited the label earlier this year.

“Mom and I want to thank David for all he has done since being at the helm of Blue Hat Records since its inception,” says Charlie Daniels Jr. “When Dad wanted to step away from the Music Row establishment and do the projects he was passionate about, David was there to help pave the way for some outstanding and diverse music from cover songs from some of the best southern bands of all times to a bluegrass gospel album featuring some of the best who ever played in either genre to Dad’s tribute to Bob Dylan, the acoustic Off the Grid-Doin’ it Dylan. David enabled Dad to outstretch his creative wings, and we will always be grateful to David and Carolyn Corlew for helping him do that.”

“Blue Hat was one of the earliest independent labels in the beginning, following the lead of industry forward thinkers like Al Bunetta,” explains Corlew. “I believe we accomplished everything we wanted to do in our 30-plus years as partners. I wish the Daniels family much success as they move forward with a strong catalog of the past works of Charlie Daniels and the CDB.”

For the time being, Hazel Daniels is overseeing operations which will be handled day to day by Daniels Jr. and Randy Owen. The label continues their relationship with Bob Frank Distribution, and Bob Frank remains a partner in Blue Hat.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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