LEONARD BY MERLE HAGGARD

[DaveWollenberg]

ACC's #99 song of '81. Leonard was Leonard Sipes, Tommy Collins' real name. God bless ya, for postin' it. thanx! Have a blessed weekend!

[thomascow1]

cool thumbs up

[MrJustinbama]

i love this song and always wondered wo it was about.thanks for the post and story

[elijahcollard]

Does anyone know what became of Tommy Collins' sons......I think he had one named Tommy Collins Jr. but I am not sure. I knew one of his sons in the late 60's when I was living in Bakersfield, CA.

[philmoretfudpucket]

Tommy Colins was a great influence on country music.

[crosbyhighlands]

i remember tommy collins

[philmoretfudpucket]

Tommy Collins wrote lots of hits for other country singers, like Merle Haggard!

olmanriver

[philmoretfudpucket]

Tommy Collins wrote many hit songs for other singers!

Olmanriver

[1955tilly]

Afriend of mine always insisted Leanard was Tommy Duncan. Thank Ya'll for seting us sraight.. By the way; one of your best Merl.

[birdwatcherdee1]

Buck Owens was married to Bonnie Owens before Merle.

[moproducer]

@birdwatcherdee1 No, Buck Owens was never married to Merle. But they kinda had a crush on each other...

[TheGranule]

iligano: You are as stupid as you are vile. It comes from having an unbranched family tree.

Tommy Collins (AKA Leonard) died March 14, 2000.

John Holmes died of AIDS in 1988.

[ILIGANO]

Tommy was, in real life... John Holmes....the big schlong boy that plowed so much cooche in his time. He made a fortune from dipping the honeys. He was the pitchman for the Sealy Prostatutic Mattress co. and he also drove the Southern Pacific train for the Walmart crew.

[mtmanmitch]

@ILIGANO and your a dumbass!

[moproducer]

@ILIGANO Yes, I remember...it used to fall out all the time on stage, and guys in the band would trip over it. Once, a stagehand thought it was a power cable and plugged it in, right in the middle of Tommy singing "Big Bad John". He hit notes that have never been dreamed of in that song, and did a dance step that James Brown studied for years afterward. On another show, Jimmy Dean thought it was a stray sausage and tried to wrap it. Later on, Dolly Parton use it to tie 'em up.

[6907lankershim]

I played bass for Tommy back in the early 70s in Ocala, Florida.

[TheNASHVILLENELLY]

I was "LEONARD'S" DATE....(TOMMY COLLINS) the night that Merle was inducted into the SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME. Tommy and I were seated at MERLE'S TABLE...right next to him and Leona Williams. Tommy/Leaonard was ny LOVE for nearly 2 years. GREAT memories. sad ones, too. Tommy died about 8 years ago.

Ruthie Barnes Steele (MAX D BARNES' SISTER)

[curbshoppin]

Merle laid it down for ole Tommy in this song...it was out of love that he wrote this for Leonard

[timberwolf475]

to put the record straight, Tommy had quit drinking for several years before his passing, He never was married to Bonnie Owens as has been stated, Merle was married to Bonnie at one time. Tommy was an excellent minister for those who have asked. He was not perfect and he would readily admit it. He was very successful in the late 1950's and early 1960's. I am speaking of what I know because he was my cousin, Please check your sources before speaking of something you know nothing about.

[spec41218]

tommy collins was good songwriter and on old lovers he was a good one  T L C JONESBORO, ARK

[flatline2421]

oh by the way, Tommy Collins was NOT Buck Owens. Buck Owens Enjoyed(and deserved) great commercial success. Tommy Collins,never did become a household name.

Remember, check out Buck's version of "It tickles"

Also check out Roy Clark..A true Super-picker.

I often wonder if Tommy died sober. Let me know.

[timberwolf475]

@flatline2421 Yes he had quit drinking several years before he passed away. Do you always speak ill of the deceased?

[flatline2421]

ALFRED E, NEWMAN??? Well, I learn sumptin new each and every day. For a real smile producin Tommy Collins song, Give a listen to the Buck Owens version of it tickles. For those of you who can still enjoy a drink now and again, may I suggest a real Tom Collins. Served in a tall (collins) glass..large(OH HECK) XTRA LARGE shot boodles gin, quality sweet and sour mix..shake pour top wit a splash of soda, cherry and orange garnish..and perhaps I will see you at my home group...peace O.D.A.T.

[headedhome]

Leonard Sipes= Tommy Collins He taught the HAG a lot

[yuritim]

Leonard was really Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine Fame.

[zaaritha]

Visste inte det var T Collins!

[bug950]

TOMMY THE 60S WAS GOOD.THANKS MERLE,THATS WHAT I LOVE ABOUT COUNTRY BOYS THEY NEVER FORGET WHERE THEY COME FROM. THE KID

[bug950]

TOMMY THE 60S WAS GOOD.

[littlemaninabigsuit]

To Marklo4n....... Leonard Raymond Sipes was "NOT" Buck Owens... He was Tommy Collins. Just thought you may want to know.

[headredbone]

@littlemaninabigsuit / You are correct littleman, Buck Owens given name was Alvis Edgar Owens, JR

[Marklo4n]

Leonard Sipes was also a country legend known as BUCK OWENS. He retired from country music in the late 60's and started preaching the gospel. He was an ordained minister and a very good one,or so I'm told. He came back to try his luck in music in the mid 70 and appeared for years on the popular T.V series, Hee Haw. His wife, Bonnie Owens later had an affair with and married Merle Haggard for a short time. God bless you Merle for remembering your friend Leonard in this great song.

[coleyman1]

@Marklo4n What a crock!! You must have been living in a monistary for 40 or so years. Bucky Owens??? Give me a break!!

[SpikeGimpy]

my name is Leonard. love this song

[Lyndalesims]

Hey Doug. Are you the Doug Hall that went to Mary Beerman Elementary in Lincoln, CA?. If that's so, Tommy was our Minister. And Yes Sir--he was a fine speaker. We had the opportunity of hearing He and Wanda singing many original country gospels for us. My Grandmother, Floyce Sims loved him dearly. He baptized myself, sister, and younger brother. He left a mark in my family that still lives--and will forever. This is a very sad Video--but a happy ending in Merle's song.

[ourmissboo]

Thank you. I, too, love this song and hadn't heard it in awhile. Merle's love for people and for the Lord shine through in this song.

[wdeatonjr]

Thank you been a long time since I heard this song

[4stringpicker]

great song, thanks for posting it

[DaveWollenberg]

Merle wrote this tribute song about Leonard 'Tom Collins' Sipes. Hit #9 in Billboard, 4-25-81. God bless!

[lionjwd]

Wow I haven't heard this in forever, 

[DaveWollenberg]

Haven't heard this 1 since it was on WMAQ-AM. Thanx, akronrambler for postin' it. God bless!

[BuffMBA]

The two greatest singers in the history of the world are Merle Haggard...and...Merle Haggard!

[akronrambler]

Thanks, Doug, for posting this info. I knew Tommy had pastored for a time. I would have loved to hear him preach. He was a great songwriter and I'm confident he was a gifted speaker as well.

[adhbassplayer]

i knew leonard by both names.tommy collins bought me my first guitar @ age 13. he told my mom & dad that music was like a powerful drug running through your blood,boy was he right. he was also our pastor and family friend. we love him and miss him.doug hall

[eskasoni91]

Great song

[headedhome]

Merle Billy needs your help now.God Bless

[NoLaCountryFan1969]

thanks for the information, i always wondered who Leonard was. great song

[Gomindyourownloser]

for the life of me I really thought who ever wrote this song that it was about Merle Haggart

[eskasoni91]

Always looked for this song. Thanks

[sherrillwallace]

I've been looking for this song. Be sure to set your page to allow video response. I'm gonna record this one.

[summitepa]

Finally! Thanks for uploading this great tune!