I have loved this song and Merle Haggard for only about 12 yrs. Just love no ads and some real talent !!!

The best. No one even close. Miss you, Merle.

Why do I like this so much? I’m 57

Roy Nichols lays down a face melting Tele solo and then tucks his guitar away like it was nothing. Amazing talent on display.

Roy finishes burning that solo and then immediately stops playing, and tucks his guitar under his arm with absolutely no emotion. Classic Roy.

@DJK-cq2uy

6 ай бұрын

Who the gell is Roy

@johngilbanni5891

6 ай бұрын

@@DJK-cq2uy just go on somewhere else if you can’t figure that one out

@markive9907

6 ай бұрын

I saw him 3 times live ,he always seemed all business ❤

@DJK-cq2uy

5 ай бұрын

Like you know him personally? 1st name basis...gths

@justinpedalpusher

5 ай бұрын

@@DJK-cq2uy I never got the chance to meet him but really wish I would have. Some people say he was a little bit standoffish, but he was absolutely one of my favorite players.

Who came here for Roy Nichols' solo?

@michaelfellerman2678

Ай бұрын

Right here!!!

I am at a loss for words...that is one of the best live video recordings of Merle Haggard and The Strangers just killing it! All the while making it look effortlessly. Roy Nicholas takes the lead ride out of this world, and as someone commented, Roy played that lead, closed it and smoothly tucked his guitar. That's real, that's unbelievable talent, chemistry, and being f#*%&+* great!

@hankmccartin3119

3 ай бұрын

and it was fabulous when Merle took the last solo!

Musicians were less over the top and more humble back then.

@97remois1

Ай бұрын

and they didn’t need to stand half naked on stage

WOW !!!!!! NOTHING AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN BEAT A FENDER TELECASTER IN THE HANDS OF THE RIGHT PICKER !!!!!!!!!!! U NAILED THAT ROY !!!!!!!!!!

@mr.wizard2974

5 жыл бұрын

I like the Strat better!

@thejamnasium6447

2 жыл бұрын

truer words have never been spoken friend

@123Goldhunter11

2 жыл бұрын

Rumor has it that Jimmy Page used a Telecaster in the studio to play the lead to Stairway To Heaven. As a 71 year old working man - still working - I have a special reverence for Merle Haggard - the working man's poet. RIP Merle.

@1guitar12

2 жыл бұрын

@@123Goldhunter11 It’s no rumor…it’s fact.

@DanEBoyd

2 жыл бұрын

@@1guitar12 I've also heard a few other Led Zepplin solos, none of which come to mind right now, which sound like they were done on a Telecaster through the bridge pickup.

That guitar solo is otherworldly

He always gave his band their solo time. Very respectful.

@100pianoplayer

Жыл бұрын

That is so true!! No, steel player blaring away either

R.I.P Merle Hag Miss Bonnie Roy Tiny AND all the rest of The Strangers that gave us so many years of great music. 🎶🎻🎸🎶

Never thought i would see the day The Workin Man would be under attack like we are. Thank God for The Hagg. He wrote the best ones.

I love watching Bonnie enjoying the piano players' turn at soloing.

It never gets old. A friend of mine approached Merle as he was getting on his bus one time and asked.. "Do you have any advice for a young musician?" And Merel says. . "Yeah..Don't do it!" And them slammed the bus door. .lol!

Roy is the man !!

There's a whole bunch of musicians that know their s*** they don't have to answer to nobody one of the greatest country songs ever made

Roy Nichols- wow that was so special. Digs right in deep and drives light at the same time. One of my top 5 solo's of all time. The irony- ask 99.9 % of the people in the world, and no one will know who he is. Sad. And Merle- need we say more. That's the way I'll always remember him.

@alasdairwreid

5 жыл бұрын

I know who he is . . . . brilliant!!!

@DanEBoyd

Жыл бұрын

Roy only drove on stage. I've read that he contractually specified that he would not drive at all, between shows. He carried his own amps too. I agree with you 100%. Easy top five, and in my ears, puts him right alongside Jimmy Page, and perhaps even Jimi Hendrix. Another thing 'they' never mention is how if Hendrix had never played a guitar, he could've easily made it on, and been widely loved and renowned for, his highly soulful singing! His singing was as right as his playing.

@guitarman4242

Жыл бұрын

@@DanEBoyd thanks for your insight. Agree 100%

I was born in 1965, grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and my late mother grew up in Nashville. She taught me about Hank, Johnny, Waylon, Loretta, and Merle. THIS is country. I don't dog people who listen to the new country, but I just can't get into it. I play a more classic rock and improve style music on my guitars, but can't tell you how many times in a solo I use the hammer-ons and bends that Merle and Roy use in their solos. Hope you all will check out this entire show (just wonderful!) and other stuff by Merle. Amazing!

@roberttooth360

3 жыл бұрын

You can't go wrong with Merle one of the best singer songwriter performer of all time.

@user-ey7jo8cz1o

6 ай бұрын

It was nice to read all of the replies.

People often forget, or never knew, how great a guitar player Hag was. He always gave Roy Nichols his well deserved credit but seems to have never sought it for himself as good as he was at it.

@chasewebb8550

Жыл бұрын

He could saw a fiddle too

@DanEBoyd

Жыл бұрын

True - but that solo by Roy here, though. What a ripper!!! Jimmy Page would tip his hat to that one! Roy always had the most perfect country string-bends. This rendition would've still gone damn over well with just Merle's solo, but I'm glad Roy's is there too.

@MzKlara

Жыл бұрын

@@DanEBoyd I can't figure out how Roy's name got left off the credits at the end.

@Ryan-mq2mi

Жыл бұрын

@@DanEBoyd shreds

@williamwipf1724

Жыл бұрын

True American talent right here

May Merle R.I.P. He was one of the very best singers/performers this country has every produced. We have lost all the greats. The younger generations have no idea what real music is.

Roy Nichols...one of the greats! He always delivered.

Love me some tasty Tele licks. Roy is one of the all time greats.

Notice they don’t have a dance team to perform? Their talent is the entertainment. Today’s artists would fold if they tried it this way.

Merle Haggard playing the second solo while holding a pick and a cigarette is badass! Cool as a cucumber.

@georgewirick6105

2 жыл бұрын

At least he didn't get burn marks in the head stock like Clapton..lol

@anelladambrosio2513

Жыл бұрын

@@georgewirick6105 ciao George!🙋😍😘💘🍀

@timmcquerry6068

4 ай бұрын

Hag was a darn good guitarist himself!

2024 & still miss Merle Th’ Hag Was The Man!!!!!

You may be cool, you’ll never be Merle Haggard holding a cigarette while playing guitar cool.

See and heard just for happyness remember my ”monument countryblues ’ Merle perfect unforgettable countryman and very beautifull man ❤❤❤ RIP sweetly with my heartache forever and admiration in the eternity ❤❤❤👍😭🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻you will be always my heartloving ❤thoughts sincerely respectueuses to merveilleuse Haggardfamily 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉(2023/06/28) 😭❤️

I didn't realize Merle was such a good picker himself.

All the while with a smoke in his hand! What a guy!

@valientevaliente9473

2 жыл бұрын

and play his guitar😁

I'd love to see Roy rip it for several minutes. What a player!

Wish they still did songs like this on the radio

@dannyhenderson5337

Жыл бұрын

They don't have artist like this on the radio anymore 💯

@johngilbanni5891

6 ай бұрын

There’s a ton of classic country stations that stream. I listen to 99.7 The Legend out of somewhere in north Louisiana. I believe it’s around Monroe going by the advertisements.

@larrysutton925

4 ай бұрын

Yep most country stations play this red dirt fake country crap...I hate it.

I am surprised the fire dept didn t show up this band was smoking hot 😎🇺🇸🎸👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

The credits say Ronnie Reno on guitar but it's obviously Roy Nichols.

Roy was hands down the best guitar picker

Now this is a real singer. The clarity of the words and spirit is fabulous. Great (first) Tele Solo Ronnie, Blows some of the greatest Blues players out of the water...

That solo by Roy Nichols is hotter than a bladder infection.

@Jon-zf3dq

6 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite solos of all time. Incredible.

@davidlibolt1264

6 жыл бұрын

O.K. Walters Awesome tone. Pretty sure it’s just guitar- cord- amp. Raw.

@rosserclark8156

5 жыл бұрын

Do it right and that's all you need.

@augustineriley5582

5 жыл бұрын

David - unique tone and phrasing by Roy!

@MrDavidr86

5 жыл бұрын

I would love to know what amp the lead guitarist is using??? Thats pure tube perfection and the way over drive should sound.

You're not going to see that in today's society, holding a cigarette on stage playing guitar. That's awesome. RIP MIGHTY MERLE

@DanEBoyd

Жыл бұрын

Today they probably pay someone to pre-wear the pattern of a Skoal tin into the pockets of their wardrobe...🙄

Great lyrics, And hot guitar solo.

Meryle and Roy some bad dudes . Rest in peace you both . No one can hold a candle.

Merle at the top of his game. Love it.

There will always be another great singer or songwriter or success story from depths of poverty, but there will NEVER be another Merle Haggard....a man that wrote and sang from his giving heart to sooooo many.

Are you kidding me Roy on fire The guy just melted the floor 360

Thank You BAND for your Country BLUES..

Geez the band was tight that night. Full of world class musicians so not surprising I guess.

Man, holding that cigarette with style while he playing what a badass🤠

@monsieurbojangles2336

5 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Didn't even notice at first.

Wouldn't you love to have that old telecaster Merles playin

What a piano player Mark Yeary was, phenomenal.

@DJK-cq2uy

Жыл бұрын

He taught me how to play a sows ear on a slice of rye

@wobbitt

Жыл бұрын

Yes... Very over looked keyboard/piano man for Haggard. A longstay band member and producer too. He passed a while back.

Classic - I love how they showcase all the artists' talents!

It DON'T get no better.

Go Roy, go!

Best guitar solo in rock and roll, PERIOD! Yes, I know this is country...

Lord have Mercy, I Love me Some Merle!

The one and only Merle Haggard with his band the Strangers. Damn they could all play especially Roy Nichols on lead guitar!

I know that this is a James Burton lick, but Roy Nichols lays it down really hard and then just stops. You got to be pretty badass to drop a hot lick at the drop of a hat. Country Pickers!!

@johngilbanni5891

8 ай бұрын

And he goes right back to doing nothing, as if he didn’t just do all of that

Real musicians, real music , real talent 😂

An Incredible Version of this Great Song of The Working Man all over the world!!

Anyone else watching merle on Christmas Eve of 2022

and everybody got a spotlight moment.....love these guys..

Merle to cool for school, didn't even put down his smoke.

Real country there ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Always love you Sir, LEGEND ❤️❤️❤️ REAL COUNTRY HERE LADIES AND GENTLEMAN

You're my hero Roy! I've been trying to figure out your stuff for years!

Today the song would be, I'll sip my latte at Starbucks and commiserate with my fellow working persons.

3:09.... Merle can play!

merle i listening you from france!!!! RIP man!!!

Yep he was for the working man for sure, I love this man..may he be RIP

@DJK-cq2uy

Жыл бұрын

I think he was an electrician n trucker in Bakersfield when he got released.

One of the greatest voices

Roy mak 3:17 es an amazing guitar solo look so easy. And Merle does s good job too !!

Getting Dickie Betts vibes from the lead guitar playing, love it!

I like you can see Gordon Terry's finger pointing at Roy during his solo so the audience will applaud.

all you have to do is just open the app and listen and enjoy!!

best musicians ever!!!!😍

Legend

Gorden Terry from Moulton Alabama

Fiddle player was fn jacked on something. He was fucking jazzed. Watch it again. Weirdo with his blue violin. I like it.

In my book thats about a good a lead telecaster sound as there ever was! Red Hot.

that lead guitar solo LOVELY!!

What a soaring lead run by Roy at 1:47 for thirty amazing seconds!

1:58 Ralph Mooney style steel lick is awesome.

The guitar Merle is playing in this video is now the guitar that his son Ben repurposed and now plays regularly with Merle’s name carved into the top along with Kris Kristofferson’s.

@margaretsharbono2218

Жыл бұрын

Ii was so glad to see this. I have been upset with Ben for not using His Dad's Guitar. Thank You..

@chrishestermagic

Жыл бұрын

Look's like totally different wood grain on Ben's but he still has several of their old tele's including one of Roy's.

@johngilbanni5891

8 ай бұрын

@@chrishestermagic that’d be a collection to see…

Hee haw ❤️

I WISH I KNEW HOW HANDSOME,WITH A VELVET VOICE I WOULD HAVE MOVED TO USA...🦏🐘🦓

I love it

Love how the leaf guitarist just ends it and looks up.

I just saw Norm, the steel player, playing locally a few weekends ago...

@rockinredneck57

3 ай бұрын

Norm is still touring and playing with Mario Carboni, mostly West Coast, and in Alaska quite a bit. He just turned 89.

Who is the piano player...no slouch!!!

I always loved Roy's playing. However, when Merle recorded the song, he used James Burton, so that phenomenal solo on the Record is James. I have played it many many times over the years but never quite as good as James. Listen to the recording to hear James.

@joecavazos1786

2 жыл бұрын

Not surprising. James is one of the best. Just ask Elvis or Ricky Nelson.

@christopherchubb954

Жыл бұрын

Jerry Lee Lewis had the good sense to snag James Burton for his band too.

@anelladambrosio2513

Жыл бұрын

​@@christopherchubb954ciao Christopher!🙋😍😘💘🍀

Can you pick a country solo and hold a cig with your picking hand at the same time??!

@valientevaliente9473

2 жыл бұрын

only MERLE CAN DO.

The Best.

Great song and video!

Real country! New artist maybe are Tyler Childers, sturgill Simpson, billy strings, and Zach Bryan. Let me know of more if you know.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Is that fiddle player from Wisconsin? I sense lotsa cheese in that stache!!!

3:30 pickin' a guitar with a cigarette in the hand.

@valientevaliente9473

2 жыл бұрын

yeah😁

god this is good

💓

Light green acrylic steel guitar. And Ronnie Milsap on bass!

Check out Hags blackgaurd! Damn that's cool as it gets

very bneautiful