News Articles

The gospel of Merle Haggard

If you don’t know what to ask a country-music god, start with his boots By Seth Combs @ www.sdcitybeat.com I’d just hit the “call” button on my cell phone. The number was Merle Haggardís office line. I’d prepared questions for almost a week, but as the phone began to ring, I suddenly realized I had no icebreaker—an opening question that would prove to this country-music god that he was safe in my hands. “Hello,” says a voice on the other line. “Is this, uh, Mr. Haggard?” “Why, yes it is.” Holy shit! I think. What do I ask?! This... Read More ››

75 and still riding bikes

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CSUB TO HONOR MERLE HAGGARD AND BUCK OWENS

NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, BAKERSFIELD Honorary Doctorate and President’s Medal are Pinnacle of University’s Awards March 1, 2013 — CSU Bakersfield today announced that it will award its highest honors to Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Haggard will receive the tenth honorary doctorate to be awarded by the university, and the first Doctor of Fine Arts in its history. Owens joins an elite list of honorees to receive the venerated President’s Medal. He is the first to be so awarded posthumously. The distinguished honors will be presented at the Spring 2013 commencement ceremony for the School of Arts... Read More ››

Playing ROMP in Owensboro, KY!

Merle Haggard is excited to be playing ROMP in Owensboro, KY! The line-up has been announced and tickets are now on sale. Click on over to www.rompfest.com to see the line-up and purchase tickets. ROMP is produced by the International Bluegrass Music Museum and operates as the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. The ROMP Venue Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival Yellow Creek Park 5710 Highway 155 Owensboro KY TIME: 8:30 pm TICKETS: www.rompfest.ticketleap.com Read More ››

Rodeo Austin – Tickets

Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10:00am JANUARY 4, 2013! For details and tickets  go to the Rodeo Austin Website! Read More ››

Order Working In Tennessee

WORKING IN TENNESSEE IS AVAILABLE

Iconic country music legend, Country Hall of Famer and most recently a Kennedy Center Honoree, MERLE HAGGARD, is releasing a new album, Working In Tennessee, on October 4th.This marks his second disc for Vanguard Records and is a collection of self-penned Haggard riches, plus a couple of classics made famous by Johnny Cash, as well as a new version of Merle’s stalwart “Working Man Blues” featuring Willie Nelson and his son Ben Haggard. Read More ››

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' Greek Theater. While both artists' names appeared on the marquee, this was clearly Haggard's show and Haggard's crowd. Kristofferson fronted nine songs of the 24-song set, commanding many of the more contemplative moments of the night with his richly detailed, classic story-songs, but for the most part, all eyes were on... Read More ››

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: a warm brew of the charm that has distinguished one of country’s great heroes for half a century.Haggard is famous for his hits – 38 number ones between 1966 and 1987 – but also because of what he stands for. There probably isn’t anyone in music who is more completely... Read More ››

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 sequel of sorts to his 1968′s “I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am” and 1980′s “The Way I Am.” Merle Haggard: The Essential Playlist This time around he’s reflecting on the latter stages of his life, as well as his views on religion. “I believe Jesus is... Read More ››

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 December as part of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, at a special ceremony with President Obama, fellow honorees Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, composer Bill T. Jones and dancer/choreographer Jerry Herman. An all-star cast of performers paid tribute to the honorees, including Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey... Read More ››