Charlie Daniels has learned a lot in his 77 years. The singer-songwriter, who began performing as a teenager, offers powerful words for the youth of today.

"Make your own way," he advises to Southern Maryland News. "Accept responsibility for what you do. Don’t blame all your faults on somebody else. If you want to see who’s responsible for your life, go look in the mirror, and if you don’t see the person there that is responsible for your life, you need to go make changes to make sure [you are] who that person is, because you’re the only one that’s ever going to make you accomplish what you want to accomplish."

The North Carolina native says that it is imperative that young people learn early on that they are ultimately responsible for their own life decisions.

"If you are not going to do it yourself, nobody else going to do it for you," he adds. "Don’t sit around and wait for somebody to give you something. You’re not entitled to anything except the air you breathe. So go make a life for yourself."

The Grand Ole Opry member clearly learned his own lessons. He has sold more than 20 million albums, with more than a dozen charting songs. His latest album, 'Off the Grid -- Doin' It Dylan,' was released in April. Download the record here.

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