The King cut Daniels’ “It Hurts Me” in 1964.

Charlie Daniels was synonymous with country music and Southern rock, yet a decade before scoring his commercial breakthrough as a recording artist with the 1973 novelty pop hit “Uneasy Rider,” the North Carolina native notched a significant feather in his cap when a swirling pop ballad he co-wrote called “It Hurts Me” was cut by one Elvis Presley.

According to the song’s credits, “It Hurts Me” was written by Charles E.

Daniels and Joy Byers — but it was actually Byers’ husband, the songwriter and producer Bob Johnston, who co-wrote the song?

Like Presley, Johnston would also play a pivotal role in Daniels’ life, encouraging him to relocate to Nashville to get work as a session player

Daniels listened, and upon arriving in Nashville began work with Johnston in the studio, carving out a resume that included Bob Dylan’s 1969 LP Nashville Skyline