Essential Decision: Johnny Cash or Merle Haggard?
Roots music authority No Depression may not be in print anymore, but that hasn't stopped them from asking tough questions and pulling in a lot of reader opinions on their Web site. Like this one, where writer Grant Alden asks, "Whose output is more essential -- more worth absorbing, listening to, and giving shelf space to -- the assembled works of Johnny Cash, or those of Merle Haggard?" Yikes. Talk about stirring the pot. He goes on to talk about his experience with both artists, even talking about a Haggard show he'd seen at the Ryman ("I'd expected a brilliant show, a rebellious middle finger full of life, but he just ran through the numbers as if he were in Branson") and theorizing that you may not need the complete works of Cash to complete you ("Cash can be summarized in a well-chosen two-or three-disc compilation with no dimunition of his gifts, nor of his importance"). I will reserve my opinions on this and let the readers weigh in below in the comments box.
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Joe says:
Cash was a little more rebellious than Merle image wise..
But they both sang for the underdog, the underpriverlage, and both will stand the test of time with their music.
Redmaz says:
No true blue music lover such as myself would ever accept the notion of having to choose between these two Americana legends. Absolutely out of the question.
Peacock Queen says:
Redmaz,
For once we are in complete agreement. You would have to be out of your ever loving mind to say you prefer one of these legends over the other. Out of the question. I agree. Whew!!!!
rockerbillie says:
Cash inspired Hag. I agree with Joe. Both are wonderful.
merlefan49 says:
Merle saw Cash at San Quentin when he was an inmate there. I agree with Red there is no way to chose between them.
cashfan54 says:
I agree with the others. Both are Country Music icons who could never be replaced.
jimterry says:
Don’t want to have to choose either …except to say I saw them both in concert multiple times, and Cash was the one who most connected with his audience.
Cory says:
John and June,need I say more? Their music and their love story will live on forever. I don’t think we will ever know how deep Johnny’s demon’s haunted him, but his video Hurt gave us some insight into his life and how much he struggled just to life day by day. That video is a masterpiece and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up every time I see it. Now he and June can rest in piece.
RD says:
A difficult choice to be sure but Johnny would be my choice - for me he just connect to real life more!!!
Scott says:
I agree, no music lover would stand for having to decide between these two legends.
Snookie Lanson says:
This kind of debate is more suited for the Pop Country Mianstream crowd, and it’s current artists. Those who still listen to and honor the legends, know that the music is what’s important, not who’s more essential.
brian griffin says:
I agree that choosing one or the other is stupid but I think Merle was probably more consistent while Cash had more ups and downs and has some periods where his music was not up to his standards. Maybe because of drugs, don’t know.
Redmaz says:
I agree Snookie. To PQ, you say for once we are in complete agreement. I was wondering what is one thing we are in disagreement about?
kathleen says:
Haggar is fine. But Cash all the way.
Blue says:
Merle says John Cash and Elvis were the best entertainers ever.Cash says Merle is maybe the best songwriter singer of his or anyones time.Why try to choose,they had mutual respect and so do I.