Merle Haggard, Country Music Icon And Outlaw, Passes At Age 79

[vienna]

One of the greats and one of the most individual of the world of country music has passed away:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/arts/music/merle-haggard-country-musics-outlaw-hero-dies-at-79.html?_r=0



<O>

[u crank]

One of the truly great American singer/songwriters.

R.I.P. Mr. Haggard. :salute:

[Commander Wallace]

I just saw this on the news. Very sad to hear of his passing. A friend of mine purchased a Merle Haggard tribute Fender Telecaster called " Tough Dog Tele " The pickups had a noticeable twang to them

Merle had a rough family life resulting in a number of incarcerations including a stint at San Quentin Prison. He saw a prison show of Johnny cash which had a young Merle thinking seriously about music.

Quote : Haggard was honored as BMI Icon in 1996, and recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. He won a slew of ACM, CMA and Grammy awards, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977. Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

http://tasteofcountry.com/merle-haggard-dead/

Read More: Merle Haggard Dead at 79 (http://tasteofcountry.com/merle-haggard-dead/?trackback=tsmclip) | http://tasteofcountry.com/merle-haggard-dead/?trackback=tsmclip



Merle Haggard-sing me back home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIei_vfZN0o


Merle Haggard- The bottle let me down
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrTPj_oMKyk


Rest in Peace Merle

[Jimbuna]

Not heard much but I liked what I did hear.

RIP Sir

[AVGWarhawk]

True country singer/songwriter. None of today's "country" singers come close. Like Keith Urban Australian country singer. :shifty:

RIP Merle.

[Commander Wallace]

True country singer/songwriter. None of today's "country" singers come close. Like Keith Urban Australian country singer. :shifty:

RIP Merle.

Merle was a bit like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson and have been called the champion of the underdog and the average guy. When they were at the top of their game, they were the best. They were all good guitar players as well, especially Willie Nelson. Jerry Reed whom most know from the " smokey and the bandit" movies was another exceptional guitar player, singer and Song writer. Only Willie Nelson is left.

Jerry Reed- Wabash Cannonball-live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVMCOIp4PmE



Jerry Reed-album version of Wabash Cannonball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsvugYfke04



Jerry Reed-City of New Orleans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7a6R2GNFQs



May they all rest in Peace

[AVGWarhawk]

Commander Wallace,

Yes, those writers/singers are best and what country really is. I play the banjo and only play(clawhammer) music that was written 100 years+ ago. These songs as well a what Reed, Haggard, Jennings, Nelson and even Johnny Cash are the very soul of country. I will include Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn(love her) as the greats.

I can not really enjoy today's country.

I'm a rock and roll fan by heart. However original picking, clawhammer, country and bluegrass I always enjoy.

[Commander Wallace]

Commander Wallace,

Yes, those writers/singers are best and what country really is. I play the banjo and only play(clawhammer) music that was written 100 years+ ago. These songs as well a what Reed, Haggard, Jennings, Nelson and even Johnny Cash are the very soul of country. I will include Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn(love her) as the greats.

I can not really enjoy today's country.

I'm a rock and roll fan by heart. However original picking, clawhammer, country and bluegrass I always enjoy.

I completely agree with Loretta Lynn and the incomparable Patsy Cline. Willie Nelson wrote the Patsy Cline song " Crazy " for her. I'm not much into Country music either but it's not hard to recognize and like the artists I mentioned. There is good talent though in Country music like Martina Mcbride, guitar players like Brad Paisley and Vince Gill and vocalist Carrie Underwood to name a few.

Congrats by the way on playing a musical instrument like Banjo. Judging by the music forum, you are in good company liking rock music. :)

[AVGWarhawk]

Congrats by the way on playing a musical instrument like Banjo.

Banjo is a much unappreciated instrument. I love it. Clawhammer style!

[Commander Wallace]

Banjo is a much unappreciated instrument. I love it. Clawhammer style!

The Banjo may well be under appreciated. Roy Clark, who could play Banjo, Guitar or anything else with strings however brought banjo and guitar to the forefront . I'm sure there are many others as well.

[vienna]

The Banjo may well be under appreciated. Roy Clark, who could play Banjo, Guitar or anything else with strings however brought banjo and guitar to the forefront . I'm sure there are many others as well.

This leapt to mind:

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers ft. Edie Brickell - Pretty Little One

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lFMK3UIa74

To paraphrase Col. Sanders: "Finger-picking Good!" ...



<O>

[Commander Wallace]

This leapt to mind:

Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers ft. Edie Brickell - Pretty Little One

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lFMK3UIa74

To paraphrase Col. Sanders: "Finger-picking Good!" ...



<O>


Wow. Thanks so much for posting the links, Vienna. When I saw " Steve Martin " I thought, " Surely this can't be that wild and crazy guy and comedian from Saturday Night Live "

I had no Idea Steve Martin could Sing and Play Banjo and very well at that. I will have to look through more of his performances.



Awesome Video.





Thanks again, Vienna.

[AVGWarhawk]

Wow. Thanks so much for posting the links, Vienna. When I saw " Steve Martin " I thought, " Surely this can't be that wild and crazy guy and comedian from Saturday Night Live "

I had no Idea Steve Martin could Sing and Play Banjo and very well at that. I will have to look through more of his performances.



Awesome Video.




Thanks again, Vienna.


Steve Martin is awesome on the banjo.

[fumo30]

I'm sorry to hear he's gone, but his music always keep movin' on.


Merle Haggard - Movin' On

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rINMr6_ZbCE