Merle Haggard Will Be Back Soon, and I Won't Miss It This Time
Two months after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, I'm glad to hear that Merle Haggard is doing better every day and is feeling much healthier than when he went in. Even better, he says he will be back out on tour soon, joking, "I need an enormous amount of money to maintain my lifestyle, so I've got to go to work." I've never seen Haggard in concert, although his music and style are part of the bedrock for my taste in country music. In fact, it's partially his fault that I'm writing this today. I kind of figured he would at least take a break for a while, but since he's not, I'm now determined to be at the next show that comes near Nashville.
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RedMaZ says:
Well, you should definately take in a Haggard concert. The first time I seen him was in the mid 60’s(opening for Buck Owens no less), and have seen him close to a dozen times since. Through it’s many transitions, The Strangers are one of the best bands in country music history(along with The Buckaroos). Glad to hear Merle is doing well, and wish him a full and speedy recovery. Pop Country may have buried him, but he’s still a living legend and a national treasure to us/me.
Superstar says:
Just couldnt get through that comment without taking a shot at popular country could ya
Real Country says:
What you call popular country is not even in the same league as Hag. It’s bubble gum nonsense.
Superstar says:
Well, Real Country, My comment was not a knock on Hag at all. I am a big fan of his. However, I am also a fan of the current mainstream artists. My comment was only about the fact that RedMaZ couldnt talk positively about Merle without negatively commenting about todays mainstream music, which was uncalled for.
RedMaZ says:
Uncalled for? It’s true isn’t it? Why would the truth be uncalled for? If you’re not familiar with the song “Legends(what if)” by Dale Watson, maybe you should go and listen to it. That was my reference point.
Bahmi says:
Superstar is a mite sensitive regarding comparisons between past artists and today’s. Not sure if comment/criticism is prohibited by the Constitution. I doubt it, have at it. For this dude, don’t even compare the past with the present. There’s good ones today, but the genre is not turning out new artists of merit like the old ‘uns. Which of today’s artists had past lives like Willie, Waylon, Johnny, and Bob Wills? Answer? None…case closed. And, how many Beethoven’s are being produced in this day and age, either? The Golden Age is over, now it’s all me-too…
six string says:
to imply todays artists are anywhere near or even close to mighty merle is insane. merle has had 40+ years to hone his craft, and he has been tested with time and has prevailed. this is not to say todays artists may be able to say that in 40+ years, i dont know but i doubt it. if you can even say “country music” without thinking of about 10 or so persons of merles era, your to young to comment on this.
martin says:
There is a little bit of Merle in every artist that has come along since he made his sound known, you can hear this if you listen carefully…yes, there is a little Merle in everyone of them, just not quite enough Merle……Merle is like the soul of country….
six string says:
I guess i would have to conceed that, but when ya listen to a country station that plays only todays hits I wonder what has happened to the sound of new artists. everyone praised the sound of alan jackson when he started, and they refered to him as a true country singer,the next “George Jones” and I agree. from all his praise I know fans appreciate the sound and having said this I wounder where the next singer will emerge from and when. speaking of George Jones ” I wonder whos gonna fill them shoes?”
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