Allan, I know what you mean! Fiddlin' contest in Georgia, and all that... "Stars and Stripes Forever" was released in 1974, and I don't know when Charlie Daniels' song came out, but he may well have been influenced by John McEuen's piece.

"Old Dan Whelan, with whiskers in his ears
He's been the kingpin fiddler for nearly thirty years"

A classic album!
Cheers, Michael