Merle Haggard
 

Some folks here think I'm just another skirt-wearin', bud-smokin' pinko commie but others think I'm intriguing. I guess this one's for both groups. I just LOVE Merle Haggard. In a manly sort of way, of course. I don't care much for new country, but the old stuff is the sonic equivalent of comfort food. Lots of great performers. Wynette. Pride. Price. Cash, of course. And a host of others. But y'know, that Haggard guy.....in my humble opinion, had the best combination of skill, attitude and voice tone. I'm not sure who else hears what I hear, but the man could control his voice perfectly. He was the country, male equivalent of Whitney Houston. This hippie can listen to Okie from Muskogee, Fightin' Side of Me and Are the Good Times Really Over For Good......all night long. And about a hundred others.

Merle Haggard -- Are The Good Times Really Over - YouTube

Merle Haggard - Today I Started Loving You Again - YouTube

Agree. Merle is the real deal. My first cousin used to babysit for him at his house in Palo Cedro. He loves to hang out on his houseboat on Lake Shasta. My cousin had a tiny vineyard in Palo Cedro. Merle would play in the barn after the harvest while the crew ate and drank wine. Just Merle and his guitar. My cousin says he was amazing.

For me, throw Waylon and Willie into that mix as well. Chris Kris, too. Merle rocks.

Ah, Waylon....

YouTube - Waylon Jennings - Dreaming My Dreams

Merle can swing too...
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zHn3geDpBNg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'll bet that's true.

He showed up drunk at the Wort Motel in Jackson Wy when my sister and her husband was there. Swingin' place. He wanted to sing with the band and they dismissed him, at first. Nobody recognized him until they let him sing. Sing he did. He's the Real Deal alright.

I like Willy too. Who doesn't?

My heroes have always been.....country folk.

You would probably really like my brother's band. I am not a huge fan of "all" of the stuff they have written themselves, but they are awesome when they play clubs and cover the classics along with current hits.

Merchants of Moonshine

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nsixl95Zqn8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QQFRkteSk0E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"I'll change your flat tire Merle..."

Ditto to all of the above...'cept KK...helluva songwriter but can't sing/perform worth a dang...doesn't even belong in the same sentence as the others imo...

Been a Haggard fan since before he was widespread popular. I jumped the fence at the Hollywood Bowl in '79 and saw Waylon, Willie and Merle. Merle opened, then Waylon. After Willie did his solo set, of course Waylon joined in. Merle came out too, but he didn't fit the outlaw image quite like the other two. That's funny, because of the 3, I think Merle is the only one to have spent some time in jail. 3 years in San Quentin where he eventually joined the prison band.

A lot of his songs hit the mark if you've been a worker bee far any length on time. I'm not sure the genteel class hears much beyond the tune. To wit: MERLE HAGGARD - Mama's Hungry Eyes - YouTube

Don't wanna get those sweet guitar pickin' fingers covered in erl......

Merle is my favorite of all the real country singers. patsy cline, Waylon, George jones, cash, Willie. I think merle is better than all of em

Merle is the man. Just listened to about 4 hours of Merle the other day.

I am shocked Dipso likes this guy. :eek:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-iYY2FQHFwE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

My wife and I love Waylon, Willie, Merle, Kris, Johnnie Cash...all are great!

+1
All greats. :)

Well you're a honky I know, but Merle you got soul...

This beginnin to sound like a Heeee Hawwww session.

Merle's great. Kern river is my fav.
you should also listen to Shavers stuff. He's the real deal too