Charlie Daniels suffers mild stroke

Wilmington native and country music legend Charlie Daniels suffered a mild stroke while snowmobiling in Colorado. Daniels -- the star of a recent Geico insurance commercial -- reportedly has some stiffness and numbness in his left hand and arm, according to the AP.

Daniels, 73, suffered the stroke Friday just outside Durango, about 230 miles southwest of Denver. He was treated at a local hospital then airlifted to a Denver hospital, where he was released on Sunday.

In a posting on his Web site Wednesday, Daniels said he was starting physical therapy. He didn’t say whether his playing had been affected but wrote, “I’m doing fine.”

Another statement on the Web site says he doesn’t plan to cancel any concerts. His next appearance is scheduled for Feb. 27 in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Daniels, a native of Wilmington, lives in Mount Juliet, Tenn., but has a home in the Durango area where he takes an extended vacation every year around Christmas, his spokeswoman Paula Szeigis said.

I have a fondness the CDB because, one, he's a N.C. native, and two, because he's related to two good friends of mine, also great musicians. Here's hoping the best for Daniels.