Merle Haggard had several barroom songs to his credit. "Swinging Doors," "The Bottle Let Me Down," "Misery and Gin," "C.C. Waterback" and "Rainbow Stew" were all great songs to drink by. However, we selected "I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink" as the best of the drinkin...
Something I haven’t mentioned and it may be possible you are not aware of: Merle Haggard is an ex-convict. He served time in prison. In prison, you take your friend’s side in an argument while you’re in public and wait until you get somewhere private to say, “You know you were...
Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, McBryde performed the classic song of loneliness and connection to a montage of photos from Kristofferson’s life, including a shot of the singer with his friends Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Written in 1970, “Help Me Make It Through the Night” ...
In 1981, Haggard shifted labels again to Epic Records. He enjoyed several No. 1 hits in his own right there, including “Going Where the Lonely Go,”“You Take Me For Granted,”“That’s the Way Love Goes,”“Someday When Things Are Good,” and “Let’s Chase Each Other Around the...
I know every song you’ve ever done. Every song. Every album cut. Everything. Anything you want done on this, please let me know.” He said, “Nope. That way I don’t trouble you and I get what I need.” He was a very common sense guy, which I loved. That was Haggard. He...
In fact,Rolling Stoneonce recalled that on the day Dana was born, the then 19-year-old country icon was in jail for car theft. While she was still an infant, Merle Haggard was put away for five years after trying to break into a diner. The country legend would also father a son fro...
After four or five songs, Merle’s infected lungs were spent. He couldn’t draw enough air to sing any longer. 'We’ve, uh, we’ve got a special guest here tonight…' Toby came out and sang the rest of the show. Keith called Haggard the “greatest singer and songwriter of my life...
About 300 people turned out in Bakersfield, California, to celebrate the naming of a post office for Merle Haggard in his hometown.
“Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa,” a No. 11 hit forGeorge Straitin 2003. Incidentally, the song was first recorded in 1986 by longtime friendMerle Haggard, who cut over 20 of his songs. Lane was also an accomplished guitarist, with his musicianship appearing on albums from artists such...
“It’s real music, honest music, created with integrity, created with raw talent,” says Blackbird Presents founderKeith Wortman, who produced the Haggard and Jennings tributes. “I think it’s a reflection of the mood of the country as well. People want authenticity, and that’s why you...