Charlie Daniels was on hand for the opening of a new Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit dedicated to his life and career on Tuesday night (Sept. 20) in Nashville.

Charlie Daniels: Million Mile Reflections traces Daniels' evolution in music from his earliest days all the way through his award-winning run as one of the most beloved entertainers in country music history The 79-year-old icon — who is slated for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October — addressed reporters on Tuesday night at the Hall of Fame and Museum, recalling his start in Music City, when he came to town "armed with three guitars, a wealth of determination, the love of a good woman and an infant son."

"I was determined, no matter what, Nashville would be the termination point of my career," he said. "I was gonna stay, come hell or high water. As I often say, when I leave Tennessee I want to go to heaven, because there's no other place but there that I'd rather live ... Ever since I learned three chords on that old Stella guitar, it's been the desire of my heart to be a part of Nashville. To be one of the cogs in this huge, diverse wheel that makes up the music that comes out of this wonderful city. Not only has that blessing been granted, not only did I get to share my music with the world, but thanks to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, I can share my life."

Daniels' exhibit includes a Stella guitar like the one he learned to play on and his first-ever royalty check, which he earned after Elvis Presley cut one of his songs. It also includes other instruments, stage clothing, posters, sheet music and much more, documenting the life and career of one of the most important artists in the last 50 years of country music.

Million Mile Reflections is slated to run at the Hall of Fame until March of 2017. Take a look at the exhibit in the gallery above.

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