News Articles
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 ››
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 F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts today announced the selection of the individuals who will receive the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors. Recipients to be honored at the 33rd annual national celebration of the arts are: singer and songwriter Merle Haggard; composer and lyricist Jerry Herman; dancer, choreographer and director... Read More ››
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. And singing is like swimming, because if you don’t do it, you lose it real quick. Plus, it is essential for your lungs. You know if you can go outside in your backyard and yell for an hour and a half you’d feel real good when you got done.” Other... Read More ››
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. Explore American music legends at pbs.org/americanmasters. “I’m living proof that things go wrong in America and I’m also living proof that things can go right,” says Merle Haggard. In Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself, American Masters’ candid documentary about the country music legend, who is often called “the... Read 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 combination of odd jobs and small crimes, which eventually led to prison stays and frequent visits to juvenile detention centers. Born in 1937 to a staunchly religious mother, Haggard experienced early trauma when his father passed away, causing him to act out as a teenager, robbing stores and frequently running... Read More ››
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 he wants much more than that. Kris Kristofferson, whose own songs transformed the language of country music, calls Haggard “The greatest artist in American music history.” At the very least, Haggard is among the most skilled writers ever to set pen to paper and pick to string, and he has... Read More ››