Merle Haggard was the best singer and songwriter at that time. No one comes even close to his style. Most of his songs are life experiences

@kennethabebdroth8513

Жыл бұрын

Some consider him the father of outlaw country because he was cutting music from Bakersfield instead of Nashville

@Sam-mu5xh

6 ай бұрын

Not a fucking chance

One of the greatest country artists of all time.

@truckshackley373

Жыл бұрын

There never will be another like him.

Merle was one of a kind. He could tell a story through his songs that made you feel like you were there. Didn’t matter how old he was. When he went low you felt it.

Love the fact that a younger generation is taking the time to listen to a true legend of country music. Thanks also for knowing the ties it has to Irish and Scottish music. You have a new fan.

And notice, he didn't run around all over the stage, there were no fireworks, just a singer in front of a microphone, doing what he (or she), does, sing. And the audience is captivated and entertained. That's what a great country artist can do. It's not the theatrics or the spectacle or flashy things that the people are there for, it's the songs.

Very nice reaction Beth. Merle was a treasure. Brilliant writer, musician and performer. He was also inspired by seeing Johnny Cash perform while Merle was in the audience (in prison). Merle was called the Poet of the Common Man. There are volumes of Merle's hits. Some of my favorites are Are the Good Times Really Over for Good, The Farmer's Daughter, Daddy Frank (the Guitar Man), and Mama Tried. They say that Country Music is 3 chords and the truth. It's what is missing in so much of the new pop country. Hopefully it will live on forever because of people like Merle.

He was the real deal. His family was in the same cotton camp mine worked in back in the Thirties. His voice was higher when he was younger, but every version of it was excellent.

Thank you for this song!!! You can do more country music anytime you like. And it also does my heart good to hear such a respect for age from someone so young! Stay amazing, Beth!!!

Merl’s son keeps the music alive . Two of his sons play a tribute to their dad. The look on the musicians faces in the backing band says it all. 41 million views also says it all. Noel and Ben Haggard singing Running kind and a Lonesome Fugitive

I’ve been a fan since the late 70s and has the great pleasure of seeing him in concert before he passed. He has an amazing quality to his voice and if you look up some videos of him as a younger artist he also was a good imitator of many of his influences and contemporaries. His collaborations are legendary especially with Willie. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I was fortunate to see Merle Haggard live. Such an extraordinary singer-songwriter. His song "Going Where the Lonely Go" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

@thegonz7833

8 ай бұрын

Great song,would love to see Beths reaction

Had the joy of getting to see him perform live around 2010 on one of his last tours. Grew up listening to his music in the 60s (was a huge country fan at that time); he was one of the greats. He was beginning to struggle a little with his voice and breath during the concert we attended.. but he still melted all our hearts. Kris Kristofferson joined him for a couple of songs; Kris was really struggling with hitting his notes.. but again, no one cared bc of who they were!! So glad I was alive and listening during his era of greatness! Thanks for your thoughtful, respectful reaction…

@corbettmanley932

Жыл бұрын

Cris never has had a voice, he SUCKS as a singer !

I love Merle and he was a GREAT songwriter. His voice was killer.😎

The older I get, the more I enjoy Merle Haggard. Country is the best storytelling genre. He also did great impersonations of his fellow country singers. Fun.

Asleep at the Wheel as your backup band...yea!

@garysmith9823

Жыл бұрын

Love that band too.

It’s the stories, the sounds of the instruments. The voice when it sings with real feeling. And it’s the minds eye playing these as well.

Merle Haggard wrote this song in the sixties. He was in prison back then and said this was a true story from his experience there. He was country music's all around best (singer, song writer, instrumentalist) ever. His voice actually improved as he got older, not that anyone could ever believe that it could improve because he was always the best. It was richer, and more soulful. Miss ya man!!

So true to appreciate a voice that has lived accompanied with wonderful story telling. His low notes are caramel that deliciously sticks to your ear. Thanks for sharing this Beth.

So cool that you’re reacting to my favorite Hag song! I play this in my own shows every night. Always brings a tear and reminds me of my own childhood, my rough substance abuse years, and my mom and grandma ❤

One of the Very Best Country Singers I first heard him when I was a Freshman in High School!!! Love Merle RIP my brother!!!!!!

What a performance! Really, I've got tears in my eyes.

What a delightful reaction on several levels. I got to see him once from about six feet away and had some vocal interchanges with him and lots of eye contact and he was just amazing. He has got so many good songs it's unbelievable. For another song in this direction, branded man. Check out the audio if you can but he really is a talented performer, he was so good live.

@annemcgehee4631

11 ай бұрын

My Dad got to go see him and sat right up front. He was one of his Favorite Singers. I remember when he got back home how he told me He drank a shot on whiskey with Merle and also he signed his hat for him. Gosh I miss my Daddy and Let The Good Times Roll On. With Branded Man

True, old country music. When we were young I did the typical eye-roll grimace listening to this. Then I got older...and these songs were stories worth listening to. His sons do a fine tribute to their dad.

There is a clip from the Glen Campbell show where Merle does an impression of Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, and Johnny Cash that you might want to check out. I've been a Haggard fan (since I was 3) longer than a Hank, Jr. fan thanks to the TV show "Movin' On" where Merle sang the title song and had a #1 hit with it. 👍👍

Awesome! Thank you for giving Haggard some props. You are the best!

Every ounce of pain, turmoil, and conflict you hear in his voice.

An absolute icon in music!! such an outstanding one of a kind voice! he is missed..

Merle was one of the best there was. He was a poet with his music and an amazing singer. Lived a hell of a life. He did amazing impressions of other artists as well. There’s so much more to this man, hopefully you look into more of his stuff.

I love his singing. I would sit with my dad and listen

The greatest country music artist ever. Only a handful of others could come close.

That was LIVE when he was almost 70 after a lifetime of hard living, you should have heard his voice in the 1970s and 80s. AMAZING

I have been a long time fan of Haggs and have seen 4 very distinct changes in his voice. Loved his very first stuff, but his second phase was the absolute best.

Thanks for your appreciation of Merle's mature voice!

If you weren't smitten with Beth before this, you have to be now. Her opening remarks about this artist who most Americans know, but is new to her. And she starts with a riff on older voices, and slides into the importance of valuing every day. Then she dissects what makes Haggard so appealing, using her voice to sweeten his technique. The sort of woman you hope you meet before you die.

It is spiritual like a funeral song for his old friend. His voice aged like fine wine. You should see pictures of Merle from the 1960's and '70's, he was one of the most handsome men you could imagine.

Love Merle's music. RIP Hag.

Beautiful harmony. Love this song. The speed is great.

I got the privilege of seeing him live twice before he died. His singing was effortless but amazing in person.

Beth, you could do worse than to listen to all of Merle Haggard's works over the years .... as a side note: there were a lot of country stars on the stage during this song. The tall fellow to the Merle's right is Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel (a very distinct baritone voice) ..... I strongly suggest you listen to them for some classic Country Swing ... My favorite song of theirs is "I Saw Miles and Miles of Texas". Enjoy your journey .... LufYa

@johngage856

Жыл бұрын

Another vote for Asleep At The Wheel!

If you're a Merle Haggard fan then you have to listen to Marty Haggard, his son! Marty has that smoothe sound and his lower register will give you goosebumps.

You hit the nail on the head! The word is WISDOM, BTW! You need to listen to his song, " The fighting side of me", just sayin'. 👀😉

@24tink72

Жыл бұрын

Probably my favorite

Merle was the greatest country music ever had. By the way, I really hope Vince Gill is in the queue. That’s another one of the best country singers of all time and I can’t wait to see you react to him.

I was lucky enough to see The "Hag" live later in his career, in Texas! You should do..."Mama Tried"!

Grew up listening to Merle, I saw him in Greenville, SC and after the show, he sat on his tour bus steps and signed autographs and took pictures. I stood in line to see him and when I got to him, I had nothing for him to sign. I had bought a new pair of cowboy boots just to wear to the concert.. they weren’t cheap… I reached down and took my right boot off and asked him to sign it. He smiled and said.. “ be a shame to ruin such a nice pair of boots .” That was over 20 years ago. I still have them.. I don’t wear them. My goodness.. Merle Haggard touched them. The greatest singer ever!❤

A true legend of country music.

What's interesting to me is that I commented on this performance 3 months ago. I didn't know that a voice coach (you) had also been enthralled by the sensual interpretation of this song by Hag and his ensemble. His guitar solo complimented the atmosphere of the whole. It was moving and memorable. I find myself similarly transfixed by Luciano performing Core N'grato . I'm 77 years old and my life has been saved by music more times beyond my memory.

Merle Haggard was born in a boxcar, which is a railroad freight car, not an automobile. The band behind him is Asleep At The Wheel, a Western Swing band you should look up.

@TheAyeAye1

Жыл бұрын

So much agreement.

Merle is a legend. GOAT status. His catalog of music is epic. My fav Haggard song is Silver Wings.

Not to mention his beautifully understated guitar solo.

I'm a huge country fan but not a huge fan of reacting to singers past their prime getting reactions..but I'll make an exception since Merle always sounded great no matter how old he got and overall probably the best country musician ever because he could do it all and do it all very well. MORE COUNTRY PLEASE! It's a whole new world of music in the country genre.

Merle is the greatest male country singer ever. His poetry and story telling is superb.

He was one of our greatest. RIP Merle and thank you.

Love that you're doing some more country reactions lately. Please do more!

Thankyou for that. A Country Music Legend. The Statler brothers did a similar song like that. "Carry me back Lord while I still got the Time."

If you want a real treat, look up "Merle Haggard If I Could Fly Away." The song is actually "If I Could Only Fly," but they titled it wrong. It's important to look it up that way because it's by far the best version. His performance is truly special. The prime years of his voice and style with the emotion and facial expressions make this one of the greatest traditional country performances of all time. It mesmorizes me. Please listen to it!

No one better then and no one better now! Mighty Merle!

His voice was so much more life in his as he aged😊

He is an American treasure and he is truly missed he's part of my dad's generation but I listen to him as a now that I'm 50 I listen to him more

Rated #1 Country artist off all time. Miss, he had over 600 song credited to writing, over 100 #1 hit. At San Quinten and saw Johnny Cash there. My favorite for sure. 82' saw him in Georgia, back stage pass, shook his hand.

Thank you for covering the Hag. I lived near the town he lived in during the last couple of decades of his life. He was the real deal. Check the Western Swing album he did and the album of standards from the early twentieth century if you really want to see his range.

Merle was awesome He is hands down my favorite country singer. He was a fabulous songwriter as well. The old country will never be replaced and we will never hear great country music like him again. So sad. Todays country is nothing compared to the old gaurd.

Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead covered this song in concert for years! Wonderful tune!

@88wildcat

11 ай бұрын

Gram Parsons did a fantastic cover of this song. IMO even better than the original.

What Merle Haggard had, was not learned, it was a gift! He was born with it, and God intended for it to be shared! Most musicians should do themselves a favor, and study Merle Haggard.

Great review. The ultimate performance for me was when he sang it at Austin City Limits in 1978.

@PaulGreen66

Жыл бұрын

Agreed

As you get older and all of your memories and Life experiences the highs and the lows songs like this mean more

Saw Merle and Willie Nelson together in Austin, Tx in the late 90's. Fantastic concert. Nice review. If you want a really good laugh, check out Toby Keith & Scott Emerick - I'll Never Smoke Weed With Willie Again

I live in North Caroline Beth. Bluegrass music is very big in this area and all areas of the Appalachian mountains. The coal mines brought a lot of Welsh, Irish, and Scottish immigrants because they all knew mining. They brought their music with them and eventually it evolved.

Merle Haggard and George Jones. The two greatest Country Singers ever. You really need to listen to George Jones too. Arguably, the best country song produced is his "He Stopped Loving Her Today." There's a great story behind that song too and it reignited his career. His life story is an interesting one also.

You should listen to his recordings from the 60's and 70's when his voice was at it's peak. However, still the greatest singer ever!

Merle was always a favorite of mine. You want to hear a voice with a distinctive punch? Give Waylon Jennings a listen. Want to hear someone really unique? Listen to John Anderson, "Seminole wind."

Enjoy all of it, but you’re correct. Go back and listen the the OG songs of Merle. He’s gone from a teenager to prison all the way to be celebrated at the Kennedy center in Washington! What a trail!❤❤❤❤

He had a great duet with Willie Nelson back in the 1990's called The Balled of Poncho and Lefty that got airplay on MTV. In the 70's and before he was as famous for his stutter as his singing. He sang amazingly well, but normal talking was hard for him. Fellow country Artist Hoyt Axton (Amazing deep voice) told a story about being on a road tour with Mel and a bunch of other performers when they were all fairly unknown. As Hoyt tells it (paraphrased, but close)... Someone slipped into the hotel room by the fire escape, gonna steal our hats, and you can't be a cowboy singer without a hat. Mel wakes up and sees him, but he cant' shout a warning because of the stutter, but he could always singe, so he goes "H-h-h-h-h-ey th-th-th-th, (Sings) Hey there's a man going out the window with our clothes." I always thought it was fascinating that his stutter was so dominant back then, but his singing voice had no trace of it. Another great deep voice in country music was Waylon Jennings. I'm not sure if would be a bass or Baritone, but it was low and rich.

@helenwells9819

Жыл бұрын

Mel Tilles.

You should read his autobiography, Sing Me Back Home, it goes into great detail. Merle was my favorite country artist in the late 70’s through the 80’s.

My grandfather was a steel guitar player back then and he knew merle and a bunch of others he has photos all over his place

He got better the older he got. This concert was shortly before he passed.

I live in Bakersfield where Merle is from, thank you for showcasing our artist.

This amazing man was born in my hometown. Many years before me. He was the real deal. People who say they don't "like" country don't like all those stupid pickup truck songs. Merle Haggard is as real as it gets.

HAHA Dont worry about crinkles, you are beautiful! I always like your videos! I'm shy, but you make want to sing more!

I can't say whether he's the best singer I've ever heard; there have been many others. But he is the clearly most honest.. Everything about him is real.

@scotthalladay2210

2 ай бұрын

You are so right

Maybe because i am old. ER! I respect your take on a mature voice. Given the time to LIVE the songs he sings gives his voice soo much TRUTH to it. I believe every word he sings. His voice has changed by this video… it got even better. Check out his younger shows and you will see . Im soo glad to find a young lady with soo much love for this sound. He was a giant in his day. And still influences people to this day. Not too bad for a former convict. Hu?? Seeing Johny cash play at the prison he was an inmate helped him decide to go into music

What a legend, RIP Merle, sing my dad a song will ya.

Simply one of the Best of all TIME

I had an opportunity to tour San Quentin State Prison's death chamber where Merle's friend was executed. They said I could sit in the chair; I declined. When I hear this song, it takes me back to the time I saw the chair where lives were ended in the name of justice. Musicians who live a tough life usually write and perform the best songs. Thank you for appreciating and acknowledging the greatest country music song writer of all time. 👍💖🎸😎

Yes he was a great legand from my home town

One of the great great singers and voices regardless of genre

The backup band and harmonies are from a band called Asleep At The Wheel

Merle had 37 # 1 hits in country music. His voice was mature when he was young. Be sure to try some of the original studio versions as well.

.. I was lucky to have seen MrHaggard at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, SC on two separate occasions.. One word: A GiantOfGiants

You just got into my neck of the woods with Merle. I've been a fan since I was a child in the 1970s. Plus, Merle is a local to me, being that he did live for years in Palo Cedro, California outside of Redding. Also, on the stage in this video, you have Ray Benson from Asleep at the Wheel, and the fiddle player in the purple coat looks really familiar to me. I think he used to teach at Bernie's Guitar in Redding, CA, but I'm not sure. All that said, I highly recommend checking out Asleep at the Wheel's cover of "Miles and Miles of Texas"

You can’t go wrong with any Merle song at any stage of his life. He used to do great impressions of some of the great country singers as well. If you haven’t looked at the country artist, George Jones, I highly recommend him to you.

@johngage856

Жыл бұрын

If you are a George Jones fan you HAVE to listen to the entirety of season 2 of the podcast “Cocaine and Rhinestones”. The whole season is about the life and careers of George and Tammy and some of the other industry types that were part of the scene with them. It’s THE definitive history of those 2.

@zathrasnotzathras9435

Жыл бұрын

@@johngage856 thank you for that recommendation. I’ll certainly check it out.

Hi Beth. Check out some of Merle's performances when he appeared on the Johnny Cash show. He was in his prime then. Also, Cash had a huge influence on Haggard and his career. Love your videos and voice!!

My great Uncle was Merle Haggard cellmate back in 1958 in San Quentin.

Nice job, Beth. I have listened to Merle's voice for over fifty years. Live performances are different from studio but you hardly ever hear a sour note when he's on stage. If you listen to a larger body of his studio work you might be impressed with the subtle use of his melismatic improvisations.

Legend!

Merle appeared on Johnny Cash’s TV show and between numbers, the host mentioned playing at San Quentin. They had the following exchange. Haggard: "Funny you mention that, Johnny.” Cash: "What?” Haggard: "San Quentin.” Cash: "Why’s that?” Haggard: "The first time I ever saw you perform, it was at San Quentin." Cash: "I don’t remember you being in that show, Merle." Haggard: "I was in the audience, Johnny."

The most touching thing about this song is that he was going to accompany his friend in his escape attempt. The guy told him to stay where he was, because he thought Merle could turn his life around. The guy made it out, but then got caught later. So I guess Merle had strong feelings about his friend.

Yes, he was in prison. He was at San Quentin n California. He was there from 1958-1960. He was in solitary confinement for discipline on death row. The solitary cells were on death row. His friend was named James "Rabbitt" Kendrick that was executed.

Merle haggard is definitely one of the best. There’s also a great country singer named don williams you would love.

Thank you acknowledging the wisdom and character of those of us who are there.

Thanks Beth, I’d forgotten about this song, sadly.