Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.
Chuck Dauphin is undeniably one of the sweetest and most dedicated journalists that country music has ever had. Sadly, he died Wednesday night at 45.
Chuck Dauphin and his Life
Dauphin was what could be considered as a rare journalist. He could confidently claim the title “CMA Award Winner.” The Country Music Association bestowed him with its CMA Media Achievement Award backstage during a lull in the telecast in 2014.
The longtime radio and music journalist was a very esteemed figure in Nashville. He was also well-known for his passionate support of country music.
via JAMIE SCHRAMM/CMA/VARIETY
He was a writer of more than 1,000 articles for Billboard and other publications, including Rolling Stone, The Boot, Roughstock, CMA Close Up, At Home Nashville, Country Now, Sounds Like Nashville, and the Dickson County Herald.
His last days at Nashville’s Alive Hospice were filled with the familiar company of his music community friends. John Schneider, who is one of his heroes, former WSM-Nashville DJ and Grand Ole Opry announcer Keith Bilbrey, and country superstar Randy Travis were all there. Travis had some heartfelt words regarding his friend.
“If ever you needed a friend…or a kind word, you could count on Chuck Dauphin. A gentleman through all the years of my career, who always focused on the best in everyone. Chuck was a gift to this world and leaves us all better because he crossed our paths. Rest now in peace and perfect health, Brother Chuck—Forever and Ever, Amen.”
via Chuck Dauphin’s Official Twitter Account
CMA CEO Sarah Trahen expressed to Billboard that Dauphin will be remembered as one of country music’s most beloved journalists.
“We will remember Chuck as first and foremost a true country music fan, second only to his skills as one of our genre’s most beloved journalists. We are grateful to have had the honor of awarding him with our CMA Media Achievement Award in 2014 in addition to his many contributions to CMA Close Up throughout the years.”
via Rick Diamond/Getty Images
The esteemed journalist’s health had declined in the summer of 2018 when he had to have his foot amputated due to complications from diabetes and infection. Up until his timely death, he was in and out of the hospital.
Kenny Chesney, the man who’s been the heartbeat of country music for decades, has shown once again that his connection with fans is as strong as ever. As the Sun ...
Country music star Jelly Roll, known for his soulful voice and an even bigger heart, recently stopped in West Valley, Utah, leaving an indelible mark on a small group of ...
Country music sensation Scotty McCreery, known for winning American Idol’s 10th season, made headlines for his courageous actions during a recent concert at the Colorado State Fair. On August 24, ...
Country Chart – Week of August 24, 2024 This week’s Country Top 30 highlights country music’s vibrant and diverse landscape. From the genre-blending success of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” ...
In her decades-long career, starting with her debut solo album Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967, Dolly Parton successfully made a name for herself. Here’s the thing: She’s not just an ...
The legendary Johnny Cash’s 1969 live album Johnny Cash At San Quentin was undeniably a moment in country. That is, he recorded it straight from the maximum security prison, the ...
A few facts you probably know about Carly Pearce: She left her Kentucky home and dropped out of high school at 16, took a job at Dolly Parton’s theme park, ...
Some songs tug at your heart, some songs hit right at your soul, and then there are songs that you just relate to so much that they touch every fiber ...
1971 was the golden year of Dolly Parton’s early career, releasing three albums that cemented her place in the genre: The Golden Streets of Glory, Joshua, and Coat of Many ...
Written and recorded by American country musician Waylon Jennings, “Rainy Day Woman” utterly compares the ironic nature of life’s ups and downs to a woman. This track was the second ...