News
Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson in Los Angeles
Story by Richard Tafoya - SoundSpike Contributing Editor - On a night where cool autumn temperatures might have made hot chocolate a popular concession offering, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson provided the sonic equivalent of a warm blanket to a crowd of true believers Friday (10/7) at Los Angeles'...
BBC Review
An album full of relaxed mastery, as well as grit and charm, from the country veteran. By Ninian Dunnett 2011-10-06 If you think a guy might sound a little jaded coming to his 49th studio album, Merle Haggard should set you straight. Working in Tennessee is a sheer tonic:...
Merle Haggard Reflects On Old Age and God on Leno
POSTED by Rolling Stone: February 9, 5:40 PM ET | By Andy Greene | Rolling Stone Merle Haggard went on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno last night to perform the title track to his forthcoming LP I Am What I Am. The stellar song appears to be a...
Merle Continues to Rack up the Awards
Merle continues to rack up the awards and accolades more than 45 years after his first album was released. He was inducted earlier this month into California’s Hall of Fame, in a class that included Barbra Streisand, Betty White and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. He was also honored in...
Merle Haggard to Receive Kennedy Center Honors
MERLE HAGGARD, JERRY HERMAN, BILL T. JONES, PAUL MCCARTNEY AND OPRAH WINFREY TO RECEIVE 33RD ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS America to Celebrate the Careers of Five Extraordinary Artists, Sunday, December 5, 2010 Gala will be broadcast on CBS on December 28, 2010 at 9:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT WASHINGTON, D.C.—The John...
Haggard keeps on movin’
Haggard keeps on movin’ By Nathalie Baret For the Journal Merle Haggard has a few priorities that he won’t back down from. One is staying above ground. “I’m the kind of guy that has to keep moving and keep active, otherwise I’ll die. At my age, that’s real important....
Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself
THIRTEEN’S American Masters pays tribute to a country music patriarch in Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself premiering July 21, 2010 on PBS The film features archival footage and interviews with Merle Haggard and his family, Robert Duvall, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Keith Richards, Tanya Tucker and more....
He Is What He Is: The Merle Haggard Interview
By Rachel Brodsky – May 11 2010 at PopMatters He Is What He Is: The Merle Haggard Interview Today he’s considered a country legend, but that doesn’t mean Merle Haggard’s life has been easy. Dubbed “the poet of the common man”, Haggard’s early years were a rough n’ tumble...
Merle Haggard: As He Is
By Peter Cooper on April 30th, 2010 American Songwriter Merle Haggard: As He Is “Songwriting gets harder and harder, unless you just want to try to write a better version of what you’ve already done,” said Merle Haggard, 73, sitting in a Middle Tennessee studio and making clear that...
Somic Boomer – Album of the Week
Album of the Week – Merle Haggard – I Am What I Am – Vanguard Records Article by Don McLeese – Sonic Boomers There are at least two ways you can take the title of the latest from a country legend whose career spans more than a half-century. You...
On the bus with Merle Haggard
Stagecoach 2010: On the bus with Merle Haggard Los Angeles Times – April 24, 2010 – by Randy Lewis Parking is a journey to the dark side for all concerned this weekend. Several acres were set aside for free parking for those coming to Stagecoach just for the day, and the...
MERLE HAGGARD RELEASES ‘I AM WHAT I AM’ TOMORROW
MERLE HAGGARD RELEASES ‘I AM WHAT I AM’ TOMORROW, APRIL 20 ON VANGUARD RECORDS; PERFORMACE FROM STAGECOACH FESTIVAL TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON APRIL 24 FROM 10-11PM EASTERN ON SIRUIS/XM RADIO’S OUTLAW COUNTRY CHANNEL MERLE HAGGARD’s newest disc—I AM WHAT I AM—may not come out until tomorrow, April 20,...
Merle Haggard: I Am What I Am
Article By Ludovic Hunter-Tilney I Am What I Am Vanguard 4 Satrs When Johnny Cash played at San Quentin prison, Merle Haggard was in the audience. After doing time, the jailbird went straight and became a country singer himself. “Hag, you’re the guy people think I am,” Cash told...
Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson were already past their hellion years….
New York Times Article By JON CARAMANICA, NATE CHINEN and BEN RATLIFF – Published: April 18, 2010 MERLE HAGGARD “I Am What I Am” – (Vanguard) WILLIE NELSON “Country Music” (Rounder) Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson were already past their hellion years when they united for the 1983 album...
I AM WHAT I AM – New CD Coming April 20
MERLE HAGGARD RETURNS APRIL 20 WITH NEW CD ‘I AM WHAT I AM’ DEBUT DISC FOR VANGUARD RECORDS MERLE HAGGARD returns on April 20 with his new CD I AM WHAT I AM, his first disc for Vanguard Records, and an inspired effort from a rejuvenated legend. Co-produced by...
Haggard, Kristofferson give masterpiece at Rosemont
By DAVE HOEKSTRA Staff Reporter – Chicago Sun Times On the canvas of country music, there are no more prolific living songwriters than Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. The Country Music Hall of Famers concluded a six-city tour Sunday night at the Rosemont Theatre before a less-than-capacity audience. What’s...
Merle Haggard brings big hits and talented teenage son to Gallo Center
Story By Lisa Millegan Modesto Bee Merle Haggard isn’t the only one in his family to have musical talent. When the 72-year-old country music legend returns to the Gallo Center for the Arts on Sunday, his youngest son will perform with his band the Strangers. Haggard said 17-year-old Benion...
Merle Haggard Interview at Country Star Central
Merle Haggard Interview at Country Star Central This week at CSC music legend Merle Haggard chats with Country Star Central about his remarkable career, childhood memories of his musical background, secret crush on Dolly Parton, what accomplishments mean the most to him and MUCH MORE! Below are is an...
Loretta Lynn & Merle Haggard at Northern Lights
This past week music legends Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard wowed country music fans during their two night stint in Milwaukee!! Make sure to check out the concert review with pictures to find out what songs were performed. By Donna Stroup Country Stars Central “The Hag Shines at Northern...
Country guitarist Norm Stephens dies in Cottonwood
By Jim Schultz (Contact) Record Searchlight Online COTTONWOOD – Norm Stephens, who played guitar with such country music legends as Merle Haggard, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Thompson, died Monday of emphysema at his Cottonwood home. He was 77. Although Stephens was not a household name, the distinctive music that...
Music review: Kristofferson fans Haggard flame
Joel Selvin, Chronicle Senior Pop Music Correspondent – Friday, April 3, 2009 – SFGate.com Country music great Merle Haggard doesn’t do acoustic performances – he’s an old-time honky-tonk man – but he couldn’t resist the invitation from Kris Kristofferson to do three special joint acoustic concerts. Still, Haggard looked...
NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Keith Urban, John Rich Offer Memorable New Work
Both Answer Musical Points Raised By Merle Haggard April 2, 2009; Written by Chet Flippo – CMT.com Here’s Merle Haggard in a recent interview with Joel Selvin in the San Francisco Chronicle grousing about current country music: “We don’t have the enthusiasm in music right now,” he says. “We...
Country star Merle Haggard stands tall
Joel Selvin, Chronicle Senior Pop Music Critic – March 29, 2009 As long as people speak of country music, the music of Merle Haggard will live. As his career nears the half-century mark, Haggard’s imprint is as deeply etched on the music as those of the spiritual forebears he...
MERLE HAGGARD – HAGGARD & PARTON LAND MAJOR COUNTRY MUSIC HONOURS
By Contactmusic.com, March 25, 2009 MERLE HAGGARD and DOLLY PARTON have been announced as the early winners at this year’s (09) Academy of Country Music Awards. Haggard, who is recovering from cancer surgery, and the late Harlan Howard will receive the Poets Award for their songwriting contributions to country...
Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr. Among Early ACM Winners
Written by Craig Shelburne, March 24, 2009 Other Honorees Include Kenny Rogers and the Late Harlan Howard and Jerry Reed Merle Haggard and the late Harlan Howard will receive this year’s Academy of Country Music Poets Award for their songwriting contributions to the country music canon. The ACM announced...
How does Merle Haggard do it?
Story by: Country Musings by Robert Loy, March 2009 This column is being written during the first 100 days of Barack Obama’s presidency, in a weird national mixture of hope and fear, the likes of which haven’t been since the days of the great D-word back in the 1930′s. All...
Haggard enduring and endearing
By PRESTON JONES – Posted on Fri, Mar. 13, 2009 – Star-Telegram.com DALLAS — Few would call any of Nashville’s legends — George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson — spry, but that doesn’t mean they lack fire. One such icon, Merle Haggard, temporarily brought low by lung cancer late...
Merle Haggard Zings Ex-Label Chief
- Award From Country Radio Broadcasters Gerry House, Chuck Collier, Bob McKay, Moon Mullins Are Hall of Famers March 4, 2009; Written by Edward Morris – CMT Merle Haggard‘s ongoing clash with lung cancer hasn’t made him any less sharp-tongued than he was in his glory days. In Nashville...
Merle Haggard, Heidi Newfield Meet Radio
March 2, 2009 — Downtown Nashville will be crowded with country singers and influential broadcasters this week as the 40th annual Country Radio Seminar gets underway. The centerpiece of the conference has radio programmers and decision makers from all over the U.S. descending on Music City to network, share...
Haggard still playing his remarkable music
by HILMER WEYLER – For The Outpost Merle Haggard and his band The Strangers were in Billings Thursday night at The Alberta Bair Theater. My interest is to document the man and the show in Billings. I don’t know everything about Merle Haggard. I just think everyone should know...
Merle Haggard
From vinyl to CDs, the country music legend keeps on singin’ By Karen Cotton kcotton@wyomingnews.com | Story Source, Wyoming Tribune Eagle Any fan of music knows the name Merle Haggard. Even the casual listener will hear echoes of Haggard on the radio today. Haggard’s music – songs that tell...
Country legend plays to sold-out crowd
By TRAVIS COLEMAN • Tribune Staff Writer • February 14, 2009 “Haggard” meant more than just the last name of a country singer for concertgoers Friday night — it stood for honesty, toughness and the essence of a lonesome fugitive. But legend was the most commonly used way to...
Merle Haggard in Great Falls tonight (2-13-09)
Country singer Merle Haggard resists current trends, maintains songs should have something to say By JENI DODD • Tribune Staff Writer • February 13, 2009 The original bad boy of country music, Merle Haggard brings his songs of the common man to the Mansfield Theater stage at 7:30 tonight....
SOUNDS: Merle Haggard
Country singer Merle Haggard resists current trends, maintains songs should have something to say Article by Jason Bracelin – Jan 06, 2009. Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal Midway through the conversation, Merle Haggard compares himself to a rapper. At first, this seems like a reach — a 71-year-old country...
Two Legends Two Guitars
Wells Fargo Center for the Arts – Feb. 4, 2009 Merle Haggard & Kris Kristofferson An Acoustic Evening • Together for the first time One of only three performances nationwide, this rare acoustic concert experience features two legendary singer-songwriters performing together for the first time. Kris Kristofferson has an...
Merle Haggard, Zac Brown Band Coming to Bonnaroo
Story from: CMT News – February 3, 2009 Merle Haggard, the Zac Brown Band, Cherryholmes and the SteelDrivers will be joining Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Phish, the Beastie Boys and Nine Inch Nails at the 2009 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival set for June 11-14 in...
Merle Haggard’s song of hope
One day before the inauguration of Barack Obama, a song titled “Hopes Are High” appeared on the website of country icon Merle Haggard.
From vinyl to CDs
From vinyl to CDs, the country music legend keeps on singin’ Article by Karen Cotton – Jan 25, 2009. Any fan of music knows the name Merle Haggard. Even the casual listener will hear echoes of Haggard on the radio today. Haggard’s music – songs that tell the story...
Merle Haggard on Barack Obama
Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Haggard was among the millions who tuned in Tuesday to witness the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation’s first African American president.
Haggard, crowd get to know each other
Merle keeps it intimate in first show after cancer surgery BY SHELLIE BRANCO, Californian staff writer sbranco@bakersfield.com | Friday, Jan 2 2009 11:09 PM – Updated: Wednesday, Jan 7 2009 Merle Haggard stopped cold when he came to the line “a joint was a bad place to be” on...
Merle Haggard Doing 'Better Every Day' After Lung Cancer Surgery
Story by: Elleen Finan – People – January 21, 2009 05:30 PM EST Just two months after undergoing lung cancer surgery, Merle Haggard says he’s back in business. “I’m doing real well – a little better every day,” the country legend tells PEOPLE. “I have a little bicycle in...
Haggard pens new song in honor of Obama
Story by: The Bakersfield Californian – Tuesday, Jan 20 2009 4:22 PM Country legend and Oildale favorite son Merle Haggard was so moved by the historic events unfolding in Washington this week that he wrote a song praising President Barack Obama. Haggard penned “Hopes Are High” late Sunday night...
Merle Haggard comes to Cheyenne
The country musician has collaborated with Willlie Nelson, George Jones and Conway Twitty. By Karen Cotton kcotton@wyomingnews.com All it takes is a glance at Merle Haggard’s extensive discography that dates back to 1965 to figure out why he’s a country legend. A few of his 40 number one hits...
Merle Haggard beats lung cancer
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Merle Haggard is not letting a bout with lung cancer get in the way of his ambitious touring and recording plans. Seven weeks after the 71-year-old country legend had a lemon-sized tumor removed in what he calls “the greatest test of my fortitude,” he said...
A star is reborn
Merle receives honor, tries out post-surgery vocal power at shows BY SHELLIE BRANCO, Californian staff writer sbranco@bakersfield.com | Monday, Dec 29 2008 5:06 PM Before he shows off his recovered vocal chops to Bakersfield Friday night, Merle Haggard will receive his star on Bakersfield’s walk of fame at the...
MERLE HAGGARD BACK HOME
MERLE HAGGARD IS BACK HOME AFTER LUNG SURGERY; UPON WAKING UP POST-OP, MERLE OPENED HIS EYES, YODELED AND SMILED MERLE HAGGARD arrived home five days after having lung surgery in a Bakersfield hospital last Monday morning. It was discovered during a previous biopsy that he had non-small cell lung...
Letter From the Haggard's
Dear Fans, Friends, Family, and Acquaintances Merle has undergone the removal of a cancerous growth in his right lung. Merle is recuperating from the surgery and doing better and better each day. I would like to personally thank all of you who took the time to send your love,...
Merle is The Main Man
MERLE HAGGARD TO HEADLINE THE 12th Annual Sturgis South Motorcycle Rally in front of an expected 40,000 plus bikers! The performance will be held in City Park, Sturgis. Merle will perform @ 8:00 PM. For more information go to www.sturgismsrally.com!
Chester Smith a dear and life long friend
Chester Smith a dear and life long friend of Merle’s, past away on August 8, 2008. He was known for his hit song “Wait a little longer please Jesus” and “Holiday For Tears”. “Wait a little longer ” became an international hit in the pop field. He went on...