Damn...the fiddle player kicks it...and the way Merle answered on guitar...!?!...I tell ya' it don't get no better than that....Sutter St. Saloon gang, checking in and saying 'HI"
You guys should check out the Johnny cash show, best of DVD if you like this it was an awesome show alot of good performances, and Cash is the best musician of all time!!!! hey LL you don't know shit about well....SHIT stop bashin the man if he didn't know bout it he wouldn't be singin bout it he had a hard life and did prison time and he may be old but I bet he'd beat your ass...lol
"Merle Ronald Haggard (born April 6, 1937) is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville Sound recordings of the same era......" -- Wikipedia
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his ass outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
you are wrong about mearl not knowing anything about working. i grew up in the valley at thetime when mearl did everybody worked back in those days.besids it says he worked for his brother in cont after he got out of jail before his singing career started.
Merle is a great country artist and part of our American heritage. I have worked in the country music industry most of my life as an audio engineer. These guys were great and hard working musicians. They were not handed a silver spoon like most artist today. They learned the ropes on their own. Most learned to play on their own. Then the years and years of playing in smoke filled bars. Those were the good old days. Takes a toll on your body and your mind. especially if you have a family.
I don't see why everyone is getting their panties twisted about him not being a "working man". He is singing this FOR the working man, and portraying himself as one to give the song feeling. If he wrote a song which described his admiration for working men, well that would just be gay.
@LLMorse1 I worked with Lynn Anderson. Her mother Liz wrote Fugitive plus a dozen other Haggard hits. They met Merle when he was doing time. They lived near the prison in which he was incarcerated. The prison sent guys out on work assignments in the community. Trust me, Merle knows quite well, what it means to bust a sweat on menial labor.
@LLMorse1 - Merles father worked for the railroad (laborer) before he died when Merle was 9. If you do some research. Merle has a personal understanding of what life is like for the working man being he is the son of one and knows hard times because his family lived it. Believe me as a mother of 4 married to a man who is a welder and roofer our children have a very good understanding of life in a blue collar family and the daily struggles that can go along with that just as Merle does.
@LLMorse1 First off, his dad died when he was nine, and he worked odd jobs and was in and out of prison for years. During his last stay in prison, he worked in a textile plant for three years. So clearly he has had at least a fair share of working man's blue and a whole lot of regular blues. Second of all, I'm not against musicians singing about work and everyday life. Would you rather they sing about being a traveling musician and drinking and banging broads?
@LLMorse1 This argument is silly. Songs are typically not written from personal experience, they're written inspired by things you have witnessed. He never calls the song "The Merle Haggard true life story" he just says it's a song about the working man. End of story. And it's a great song.
@Avenger325 And anybody thinking you sing like that and play the guitar that well without workin at it is a damn fool thanks for the comeback he deserves all the praise he gets R.I.P Mr Haggard.
@LLMorse1 I guess you figure yourself to be a working man but unlike working men you do not have enough imagination to peel a banana skin my friend........Merle on the other hand has enough imagination to write about what he see and feels, so thank your lucky stars for hard working musicians like Merle..
Actually, he does know about working for a living. My mom was a friend of his when she was younger (In Bakersfield) bit of an alcoholic in his day but was still an average everyday man. he didnt grow up in wealth actually lived in a dumpy little apartment before he became famous.
I've seen the Hag a few times, but when I was a kid, we saw him and the Strangers in Bakersfield, in the 60's. That sticks with me for ever, Even with the rock I've listened to all my life, I put the Hag is in the highest place of complete respect, because he is the real deal.
Merle's one of voices that stand out from the rest....10 seconds into any of his songs and you know it's "Hag"....I Grew up playin' guitar in Bakersfield competing with him and Buck for gigs..(Tex' Barrel House, The Blackboard, The Lucky Spot, Pumpkin Center.. etc. etc.) But they Forced me to get serious about music & singing, ...unfortunately I left for the L.A. music scene in 1962 and played Rock and Roll because I thought country music was "lame"...just a dumb kid.
There is a man that lives behind me, he turned 79 on the 23rd of June he use to play guitar with Merle, they lost touch, i'm sure they would like to get in touch again, my friends nickname is Possum, the reason i'm posting this is because they should meet up, im sure it would mean a lot to possum a phone call, email or even a visit would be great.if anyone knows a legit number or email please send me a message. Thanks
That is one of the best lead rides I've ever heard Merle play!!! Very clean and articulate and tasty as well!!! Of course Roy burned the strings off of his Tele.
merle is about country and the love of it well i love my country in 1950 i served with the 101st airborne and was proud of my service i have seen men killed by morters rockets and gun fire but the crulest thing i ever saw was done by a doctor working in one of the largest hospitals in tulsa for more info please see ]msbones 1950 ]
@mickyjstubbs Neither have most of the "protest" singers. I think you've just got to suspend your disbelief, the same way you do when watching a fantasy film.
i wasn't close to the band, so i cant say. i was around during the time when clint strong was getting ready to take roy's place in the band. i think he did soon after. we were playing at a club in redding and the silverthorn put on a farm aid benifit on sunday, so we spent the day and nite with alot of players. the only one not there from the strangers was merle himself. it was a great day and night.
i got to spend an evening with mr. roy nichols at merle's silverthorn resort at lake shasta back in the eighties. what a truly great player and one hell of a drinker. we miss you roy
Merle is still kicking. You used past tense in your posts.While I know he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer not too long ago, far as I know Merle is fine now. That comes directly from the Hoss's mouth and a long time friend of Merle's who lives back in the hills of Tennessee in a House Trailer. He has been the engineer for Merle in the studio for lots of Hagg recordings . Like Mr. George Jones said in a great song "Rocking Chair": "Merle Don't need your rocking Chair."
This is the true beat of the song-kind of bluesy & with comfortable rhythm! Well written for the times and I think it would be a hit today, if just released! Hats Off! Thanks, Mr. Haggard!
Thanks for the music (MH), God Bless U, I remember Jean Val Jean went to prison for stealing a piece of bread to feed his family , not everyones retirement like todays
thieves,
my advise is be reluctant to be "the judge" of others ,
hey merle haggard is the best, besides george jones. hey if you dont like him stay off his music. also im a felon but ive changed my life around. how about you?
MERLE HAGGARD'S BEST. Simply fantastic. I had to fly to Montana back in 1999 (Billings, MT) to cover a game between Michigan Tech and Montana State, and I walked over to this bar across from the hotel. They had a country swing ban and I asked them to play "Workin Man." The band played this for 25 minutes - to perfection. I was in complete awe. This version by Merle is great - just needs 20 more minutes of free play...
@Kenny12554 Better check yourself and your reading abilities, I never said anything about Hag of the sorts. and if you read this is what I posted I quote "the music business may be changing, but stealing is still stealing. I don't hate the sinner, just the sin. got no respect for a thief"
Hey "MyTiger44" and "Gribbyscajun" ...just wondering why the only thing you two can say about Haggard is that he was once a thief? I am so happy to know that aside from Jesus Christ there were actually "2" others who were perfectly "spotless" and sinless. Haggard "paid" his debt to society and then went on to do something INCREDIBLE with his life! And "Gribbycajun"...I am sure that Haggard probably would have NO USE for YOU either my friend!
@Kenny12554 - You have totally and completely missed what "MyTiger44" and "Gribbyscajun" were talking about! They were responding to people who defend downloading music for free and not paying the artists. They weren't talking about Merle. Please be careful my friend before you start casting aspersions that you know what you're talking about.
you cheap BASTARDS !!!. need to go get a JOB if you cant afford to buy the music. quit stealin you WORTHLESS fucks. you would be the first ones crying if someone stole one fucking dime out of your pocket.these artists work too hard for their money to let SCUMBAGS like you steal it.
Love the post, working man blues in Merle's prime, late 70's. I saw him at the Pozo saloon with Devil Makes 3 and mainstream country stars Currington and Vasser. Devil Makes three and Merle played first, just like the old days in Bakersfield, hotties, drunks and biker gangs were everywhere. People going nuts for Merle. Then the last two guys came on and even though they are great performers about half the crowd left. This video is a testament to the power of Merle and the Bakersfield sound.
merle haggard song is a place to hate on the downloaders? the music bizz is changing.The money is there to be made in different ways.If your complaining about downloading you might as well be complaining about the automobile taking away money from the horse and carriage makers....come on people...grow with the times dont fight them..you cant win this fight.We win..the new music adapts or gets left behind after we run over them with our horses..and carriages.
@modrndaycowby If you have any specific gripe about any specific record company, make your case. I can understand your point. But, if you're into downloading music for free because you can get away with it, that's just stealing and I will block any user who posts that type of comment. EOS
@surfdude2000 I agree, you might as well run up and steal the guitar strings off his guitar. Everybody wants to talk about evil record companies but without them there would be a lot less music.
The beauty in Merle's songs are his lyrics. His music has obvious blues, gospel and country roots, but the magic of his music is how his words paint a picture that people can identify with. It's blue collar, it's American, it's from the heart and it's timeless.
"I turned 21 in prison, doing life without parole... No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried"
Awesome. As for writing a paper on this vocals and music. Good luck to you fella, because interpreting the Hag has to be a lifetime exam. What vocal quality coupled with sheer genius in formulating an individual country sound. This definetely has to be part of your thesis.
Excellent performance. And Merle should be rated as an awesome lead player. But why is it in Ab? Doesn't he sometimes doe it in A.
TCBINAFLASH1 1 week ago
who is that guy on the lead guitar? pretty smooth...
SwampSurferPDX 1 week ago
Damn...the fiddle player kicks it...and the way Merle answered on guitar...!?!...I tell ya' it don't get no better than that....Sutter St. Saloon gang, checking in and saying 'HI"
nakidsoul 2 weeks ago
Thumbs up if you agree with surfdude; "Easy LL... We're all friends here..."
nakidsoul 2 weeks ago
You guys should check out the Johnny cash show, best of DVD if you like this it was an awesome show alot of good performances, and Cash is the best musician of all time!!!! hey LL you don't know shit about well....SHIT stop bashin the man if he didn't know bout it he wouldn't be singin bout it he had a hard life and did prison time and he may be old but I bet he'd beat your ass...lol
justingulley12061986 2 weeks ago
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooyyt hil belly music mmmmmmmmmmmhhhhmmm
amandaelswick7 1 month ago
awesome solo. roy is so cool!!
TheDjangojunkie 1 month ago
Merle ain't dead he's doin a show in Paducah soon. He still kickin'.
theGadocaster96 1 month ago
"Merle Ronald Haggard (born April 6, 1937) is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville Sound recordings of the same era......" -- Wikipedia
BoudiccaBlanc 1 month ago
When those horns come in.
ThePenetang 1 month ago
I guess we have some whiners here, talking how a musician doesn't work. Hm. I beg to differ.
daveaz85635 1 month ago
@LLMorse1 when he was akid he was getting in all sorts of trouble his father died and it was just him and his mom
purplewalnut89 1 month ago
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
TheBurf1 1 month ago
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
TheBurf1 1 month ago
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his butt outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
TheBurf1 1 month ago
You don't have to dig ditches to be considered a working man. Anybody who gets his ass outta bed day after day and shows up, gets it done and wouldn't have it any other way is a working man in my book; regardless of what you do for a living!
TheBurf1 1 month ago
Thumbs up if u searched this after playing NBA2K12 :)
footballmanagerable 2 months ago
@footballmanagerable Aint nobody playing fucking basketball on here boy. THUMB THAT SHIT UP.
joe1969812 1 month ago
Its pretty interesting how some of the most extreme crazys of country and rock-n-roll, out live those who were tame.
HansBooBee 2 months ago
you are wrong about mearl not knowing anything about working. i grew up in the valley at thetime when mearl did everybody worked back in those days.besids it says he worked for his brother in cont after he got out of jail before his singing career started.
arkythirdrock 2 months ago
the 5 dislikes are from 5 ppl on welfare!!!
theamericanmike135 2 months ago
Is that Roy Nichols sitting down playing guitar? Merle's a damn good guitar player himself, and hey has gotten better over the years.
BCRSIX 3 months ago
What a great live performance. Anyone know what it's from?
Avenger325 3 months ago
@Avenger325 >> Austin City Limits1978
surfdude2000 3 months ago
@surfdude2000 God Bless Texas!
GnarlyCharlification 6 days ago
Comment removed
trollalo 3 months ago
Merle is a great country artist and part of our American heritage. I have worked in the country music industry most of my life as an audio engineer. These guys were great and hard working musicians. They were not handed a silver spoon like most artist today. They learned the ropes on their own. Most learned to play on their own. Then the years and years of playing in smoke filled bars. Those were the good old days. Takes a toll on your body and your mind. especially if you have a family.
monmixer 3 months ago
I don't see why everyone is getting their panties twisted about him not being a "working man". He is singing this FOR the working man, and portraying himself as one to give the song feeling. If he wrote a song which described his admiration for working men, well that would just be gay.
foxnotch 3 months ago
Merle...working man all his life?
NOT
LLMorse1 4 months ago
Funny man, singin about working......
I love Merle but I would guess he hasn't hammered a nail or hung steel.
Interesting...you might know something about bummin a ride as a musician, but he don't know shit about making a living..
Cast these bums out...all off them Post it, you dont have the courage
LLMorse1 4 months ago
@LLMorse1 > Easy LL... We're all friends here...
surfdude2000 4 months ago
@LLMorse1 I worked with Lynn Anderson. Her mother Liz wrote Fugitive plus a dozen other Haggard hits. They met Merle when he was doing time. They lived near the prison in which he was incarcerated. The prison sent guys out on work assignments in the community. Trust me, Merle knows quite well, what it means to bust a sweat on menial labor.
bashfulbrother 3 months ago
@LLMorse1 - Merles father worked for the railroad (laborer) before he died when Merle was 9. If you do some research. Merle has a personal understanding of what life is like for the working man being he is the son of one and knows hard times because his family lived it. Believe me as a mother of 4 married to a man who is a welder and roofer our children have a very good understanding of life in a blue collar family and the daily struggles that can go along with that just as Merle does.
TheGENNI28 3 months ago
@LLMorse1 First off, his dad died when he was nine, and he worked odd jobs and was in and out of prison for years. During his last stay in prison, he worked in a textile plant for three years. So clearly he has had at least a fair share of working man's blue and a whole lot of regular blues. Second of all, I'm not against musicians singing about work and everyday life. Would you rather they sing about being a traveling musician and drinking and banging broads?
ironspiderbat 3 months ago
@LLMorse1 This argument is silly. Songs are typically not written from personal experience, they're written inspired by things you have witnessed. He never calls the song "The Merle Haggard true life story" he just says it's a song about the working man. End of story. And it's a great song.
Avenger325 3 months ago
@Avenger325 And anybody thinking you sing like that and play the guitar that well without workin at it is a damn fool thanks for the comeback he deserves all the praise he gets R.I.P Mr Haggard.
FrankaDith 2 months ago
@FrankaDith >> RIP? Last I heard, Merle is still vertical...
surfdude2000 2 months ago
@LLMorse1 I guess you figure yourself to be a working man but unlike working men you do not have enough imagination to peel a banana skin my friend........Merle on the other hand has enough imagination to write about what he see and feels, so thank your lucky stars for hard working musicians like Merle..
HAPPYTHELEAF 2 months ago
@LLMorse1 Ha... you know he was in prison? I'll bet he got plenty of working in there. He hasn't always been a musician though.
kdocki 2 months ago
@LLMorse1 I'm with you LL. Sweep up these OWS bums. I'd like to see someone give them a haircut too.
TheUkuleleMurders 1 month ago
@LLMorse1 Maybe you should do a little research into Merle's life before you post such comments. Tell us a little about your own "work" experience.
farmerea 1 month ago
@LLMorse1
Actually, he does know about working for a living. My mom was a friend of his when she was younger (In Bakersfield) bit of an alcoholic in his day but was still an average everyday man. he didnt grow up in wealth actually lived in a dumpy little apartment before he became famous.
TheCykoraider 1 week ago
@LLMorse1 Sounds like you arent really familiar with Merle Haggard.
Using your logic, nobody would be able to sing any songs about anything. When this song came out, WORKING PEOPLE loved it and Merle.
VoodooPolitico 1 week ago
2:46 wow jeff foxworthy is really good at the fiddle.
TheOriginalShredneck 4 months ago
I've seen the Hag a few times, but when I was a kid, we saw him and the Strangers in Bakersfield, in the 60's. That sticks with me for ever, Even with the rock I've listened to all my life, I put the Hag is in the highest place of complete respect, because he is the real deal.
magprob 4 months ago
Elitist bastard. "Content owner has not made this available for mobile"
SteelguitarLane 4 months ago
Roy Nichols, no pretense, all business.
Candlejackerable 4 months ago
Just love the guy!
vendanges3 4 months ago
Happy Labor Day.
TheYajrennat 4 months ago
Dad listen it's the worken mans blues!!!
6877931 5 months ago
Impressed with how he holds the cigarette!
seenfromsweden 5 months ago
Merle & the Strangers are just awesome in this video! Pure musical genius.
ronbo11 5 months ago
Hey I know someone that held a cigarette like that too.....ME ! LOL:)
HerbWalker 5 months ago
Time tested and time true!!!! Love it
tree071 5 months ago
What was the name of the other guitar player?
jzamora50 5 months ago
@jzamora50 Roy Nichols
angussss10 5 months ago
@jzamora50 Do you mean Ronnie Reno, son of banjo master Don Reno.
chewbackywooky 5 months ago
Hell yeah, man. I like to listen to this song when I'm job searchin'.
SSSeraph 6 months ago
ROY NICHOLS IS GOD!!! Merle's not too shabby either.
mvsproductions 6 months ago
The guy playing the piano reminds me of the one in the muppet show
rappy90 6 months ago
Merle's one of voices that stand out from the rest....10 seconds into any of his songs and you know it's "Hag"....I Grew up playin' guitar in Bakersfield competing with him and Buck for gigs..(Tex' Barrel House, The Blackboard, The Lucky Spot, Pumpkin Center.. etc. etc.) But they Forced me to get serious about music & singing, ...unfortunately I left for the L.A. music scene in 1962 and played Rock and Roll because I thought country music was "lame"...just a dumb kid.
gareof 6 months ago
this reminds me an awful lot of the dead covering big river
PinkFloydrulez 6 months ago
good ole song thanks , god bless
getbackonthefield 7 months ago
There is a man that lives behind me, he turned 79 on the 23rd of June he use to play guitar with Merle, they lost touch, i'm sure they would like to get in touch again, my friends nickname is Possum, the reason i'm posting this is because they should meet up, im sure it would mean a lot to possum a phone call, email or even a visit would be great.if anyone knows a legit number or email please send me a message. Thanks
BelfNelfPriestHunter 7 months ago
WONDERFUL!*****
I very much like...
Rai06f 7 months ago
Wow, now that's working it!!!
thedawgshow 7 months ago
Watch that piano!!!! He's working it!!!
thedawgshow 7 months ago
thats the stuff there!!
TheSingleCell 7 months ago
Redd Volkaert once told me that the hardest thing to get used to at first with Haggard is his lack of interest in proper timing.
I was like "dude, you're playing with friggin' Haggard..."
He's like - yep! :) LOL
amoskowitz0103 7 months ago
That is one of the best lead rides I've ever heard Merle play!!! Very clean and articulate and tasty as well!!! Of course Roy burned the strings off of his Tele.
stratguy 8 months ago
ISN'T THIS THE STEVIE RAY VAUGHN BAND, DOUBLE BOUBLE TROUBLE?
O_o
ROFL!
PLAY IT MERLE, YOU DE MAN (SRV TOO!)!
jehovahuponyou 8 months ago
I got to drink beer with him in Laughlin Nv.
1963legion 8 months ago
@1963legion > Excellent
surfdude2000 8 months ago
I agree!
oldbarfy 7 months ago
@1963legion No way, thats some cool shit!
1mikelan 5 months ago
@1963legion
I'd love to have some beers with the Hag!
Mark Hill
thelinearpractiseday 4 months ago
hell we all smoke
MyMike59 8 months ago
My grandpa opened for him in like the 60s they hung out a little
Owen7058 9 months ago
merle is about country and the love of it well i love my country in 1950 i served with the 101st airborne and was proud of my service i have seen men killed by morters rockets and gun fire but the crulest thing i ever saw was done by a doctor working in one of the largest hospitals in tulsa for more info please see ]msbones 1950 ]
MsBones1950 9 months ago
Roy Nichols, the greatest.
ArkRed1 9 months ago
@1pdxsteve: Not yes, but HELL YES... As well as himself, but that doesn't prevent OKIE from being one of the best folk songs of the 20th. Century...
jackindydude 9 months ago
You don't mess with The Hagg
briandillon120 9 months ago
Does anyone know what year this is from?
briandillon120 9 months ago
@briandillon120 > 1985
surfdude2000 9 months ago
@surfdude2000 WRONG! 1978 from Austin City limits
NoSteveNoPoint 8 months ago
@NoSteveNoPoint > You are so right!
surfdude2000 8 months ago
@surfdude2000 Ya , I know my Merle!! LOL
NoSteveNoPoint 8 months ago
@briandillon120 Roy Nichols retired in March of 1987. I'd put the date close to that.
jcash1100 6 months ago
This song has basically the same tune and chord changes as the John D. Loudermilk song "Bad News".
craps2010 9 months ago
Merle is definetely one of the greats!!
borntrippin 10 months ago
he's never worked a day in his life
mickyjstubbs 10 months ago
@mickyjstubbs Neither have most of the "protest" singers. I think you've just got to suspend your disbelief, the same way you do when watching a fantasy film.
gelchert 10 months ago
I'm a new born and I like Haggard.
marydwyer14119 10 months ago
Merle is a national treasure... Jerry Lee Lewis also did a kick ass version of this tune.
notredamehesamighty 10 months ago
I'm 4 years old, and I love Merle Haggard!
jgizzy 10 months ago
merle was one of the best men to ever live and sing
redneck02779 11 months ago
@redneck02779 >> He ain't left the planet yet! Played down in Tacoma just a few months ago...
surfdude2000 11 months ago
@redneck02779 is
kirbyks 10 months ago
One of the many things you can say about Merle is he always had kickass musicians in his band. These guys are tight!
beautifulsarah100 11 months ago
i wasn't close to the band, so i cant say. i was around during the time when clint strong was getting ready to take roy's place in the band. i think he did soon after. we were playing at a club in redding and the silverthorn put on a farm aid benifit on sunday, so we spent the day and nite with alot of players. the only one not there from the strangers was merle himself. it was a great day and night.
1pdxsteve 11 months ago
i got to spend an evening with mr. roy nichols at merle's silverthorn resort at lake shasta back in the eighties. what a truly great player and one hell of a drinker. we miss you roy
1pdxsteve 11 months ago
@1pdxsteve >> So, were any of Merle's band pot smokers? Just thought I'd ask. :)
surfdude2000 11 months ago
@surfdude2000
Unndoubtedly many were. Projected images can be deceptive.
Remember this was a sound honed in Bakersfield, California.
benthead 8 months ago
Hey, Redneck02779 2,
Merle is still kicking. You used past tense in your posts.While I know he was diagnosed with Lung Cancer not too long ago, far as I know Merle is fine now. That comes directly from the Hoss's mouth and a long time friend of Merle's who lives back in the hills of Tennessee in a House Trailer. He has been the engineer for Merle in the studio for lots of Hagg recordings . Like Mr. George Jones said in a great song "Rocking Chair": "Merle Don't need your rocking Chair."
Xratti 10 months ago
That's Ronnie Reno on the rthym Martin guitar, he is a fine bluegrass musician...
stdguage 11 months ago
@stdguage
without a doubt my friend many bands were influenced by his work
fehlberg2 11 months ago
This is the true beat of the song-kind of bluesy & with comfortable rhythm! Well written for the times and I think it would be a hit today, if just released! Hats Off! Thanks, Mr. Haggard!
johnnyhuis 1 year ago
The piano player at 2:17 is wailing so hard. They look like a fucking muppet.
gdrugg2006 1 year ago
Oh NO!!!! he is still a thief!!!!!!!! mannnnn I am sure He just stole the SHOW baby, Damn he good!!!
jessbluefish 1 year ago
@jessbluefish >> Good one! ;)
surfdude2000 1 year ago
@jessbluefish Nice
marydwyer14119 1 year ago
@jessbluefish Damnit man you know it
MsRowdyOne 11 months ago
My dad sounds like Merle Haggard. It's Great!(:
JakeOwenLover 1 year ago
The bass player looks like Ronnie Milsap
stiffy36 1 year ago
@stiffy36 nope, i believe thats Wayne Durham from Bakersfield California.
toriElena 10 months ago
Thanks for the music (MH), God Bless U, I remember Jean Val Jean went to prison for stealing a piece of bread to feed his family , not everyones retirement like todays
thieves,
my advise is be reluctant to be "the judge" of others ,
as we R all surely gonna be judged someday.
l87kmps 1 year ago
hey merle haggard is the best, besides george jones. hey if you dont like him stay off his music. also im a felon but ive changed my life around. how about you?
timmywilliams48 1 year ago
MERLE HAGGARD'S BEST. Simply fantastic. I had to fly to Montana back in 1999 (Billings, MT) to cover a game between Michigan Tech and Montana State, and I walked over to this bar across from the hotel. They had a country swing ban and I asked them to play "Workin Man." The band played this for 25 minutes - to perfection. I was in complete awe. This version by Merle is great - just needs 20 more minutes of free play...
enlightenedspartan 1 year ago
@Kenny12554 Better check yourself and your reading abilities, I never said anything about Hag of the sorts. and if you read this is what I posted I quote "the music business may be changing, but stealing is still stealing. I don't hate the sinner, just the sin. got no respect for a thief"
Gribbyscajun 1 year ago
Merle Haggard = Real American.
cdkgb 1 year ago
Roy Nichols - what great picker! What happened to him? He's dead, right?
uglymoon78 1 year ago
Hey "MyTiger44" and "Gribbyscajun" ...just wondering why the only thing you two can say about Haggard is that he was once a thief? I am so happy to know that aside from Jesus Christ there were actually "2" others who were perfectly "spotless" and sinless. Haggard "paid" his debt to society and then went on to do something INCREDIBLE with his life! And "Gribbycajun"...I am sure that Haggard probably would have NO USE for YOU either my friend!
Kenny12554 1 year ago
@Kenny12554 - You have totally and completely missed what "MyTiger44" and "Gribbyscajun" were talking about! They were responding to people who defend downloading music for free and not paying the artists. They weren't talking about Merle. Please be careful my friend before you start casting aspersions that you know what you're talking about.
surfdude2000 1 year ago
@Kenny12554 Amen!! He without "SIN" cast the first stone..
justamandawg 1 year ago
This is a great song!!! Aint never been on welfare and thats one place i will never be!!!!
MsBuddles 1 year ago
Haggard is tearin' it up on this one!
n8tureboy 1 year ago
MaMa says when the baby comes I can quit one of my DAY jobs :)
HerbWalker 1 year ago
Ol' Merle is a pretty smooth Tele-picker.
Bodie007 1 year ago
@krimpoo the music business may be changing, but stealing is still stealing. I don't hate the sinner, just the sin. got no respect for a thief
Gribbyscajun 1 year ago
@Gribbyscajun > Nicely put my friend. I'm gonna bookmark that comment for future use.
surfdude2000 1 year ago
Roy Nicholes is The one guitar player every country player should lean after Don Rich
kpmurphy62 1 year ago
you cheap BASTARDS !!!. need to go get a JOB if you cant afford to buy the music. quit stealin you WORTHLESS fucks. you would be the first ones crying if someone stole one fucking dime out of your pocket.these artists work too hard for their money to let SCUMBAGS like you steal it.
MyTiger44 1 year ago
@MyTiger44 I think you'll find Mr Haggard was once a theif
gymnosophy 1 year ago
very nice upload....thank you...
quiltbee 1 year ago
Love the post, working man blues in Merle's prime, late 70's. I saw him at the Pozo saloon with Devil Makes 3 and mainstream country stars Currington and Vasser. Devil Makes three and Merle played first, just like the old days in Bakersfield, hotties, drunks and biker gangs were everywhere. People going nuts for Merle. Then the last two guys came on and even though they are great performers about half the crowd left. This video is a testament to the power of Merle and the Bakersfield sound.
mrjamrock1000 1 year ago
Seen him a few months back, he still sounds and plays amazing.
Rushworshiper92 1 year ago
Still a great song, performer, & band
.
Nancietta 1 year ago
Still a great song & performer.
Nancietta 1 year ago
Got no use for thief myself. Honor those you like and respect them, BUY there material
Gribbyscajun 1 year ago
@Gribbyscajun... Amen brother!
surfdude2000 1 year ago
merle haggard song is a place to hate on the downloaders? the music bizz is changing.The money is there to be made in different ways.If your complaining about downloading you might as well be complaining about the automobile taking away money from the horse and carriage makers....come on people...grow with the times dont fight them..you cant win this fight.We win..the new music adapts or gets left behind after we run over them with our horses..and carriages.
krimpoo 1 year ago
Thanks from Finland too!! I really like your style :-)
jukhay 1 year ago
@simplistic47 Please don't leave comments on how viewers can download rip off artist by downloading their stuff for free. Buy their cds and dvds!!!
surfdude2000 1 year ago
@surfdude2000 so the record co can stiff the artist and ruin the genre? no thanks.
modrndaycowby 1 year ago
@modrndaycowby If you have any specific gripe about any specific record company, make your case. I can understand your point. But, if you're into downloading music for free because you can get away with it, that's just stealing and I will block any user who posts that type of comment. EOS
surfdude2000 1 year ago
@surfdude2000 I agree, you might as well run up and steal the guitar strings off his guitar. Everybody wants to talk about evil record companies but without them there would be a lot less music.
InsaneBugs 1 year ago
like great song sounds just like my work
sirmugman 1 year ago
is this based on "Watch Your Step" by Bobby Parker - written and released in '61 ?
dannyodoul 1 year ago
Surely this is earlier than '78. No?
jaybodonoghue 1 year ago
@jaybodonoghue The b&w makes it look older. It's Live @ Austin 1978
surfdude2000 1 year ago
Sing the song that tells about those of us that put our noses to the grindstone and earn our place in society. Keep it up Merle!
Wildfowler85 1 year ago
merle is da man!!!
borntrippin 1 year ago
You put this on here surfdude, thanks...sorry bout that lump in my throat sort of thing.
Retslu 1 year ago
@Retslu... Good music does that to people
surfdude2000 1 year ago
Hag's the one and only
lovemydogsmucho 1 year ago
The beauty in Merle's songs are his lyrics. His music has obvious blues, gospel and country roots, but the magic of his music is how his words paint a picture that people can identify with. It's blue collar, it's American, it's from the heart and it's timeless.
"I turned 21 in prison, doing life without parole... No-one could steer me right but Mama tried, Mama tried"
surfdude2000 1 year ago
Awesome. As for writing a paper on this vocals and music. Good luck to you fella, because interpreting the Hag has to be a lifetime exam. What vocal quality coupled with sheer genius in formulating an individual country sound. This definetely has to be part of your thesis.
vocalist1952 1 year ago
He has one of the greatest voices I've ever heard....
marydwyer14119 1 year ago
HI Did U get yoru paper written on this recording,
the "blues" is a standard form probably from black gospel is my guess
anyways it goes for 12 bars and repeats.
Musicians will all do a break and perform any hot licks they got.
Merle was influenced by Jimmie Rodgers who recorded all manner of blues
why not publish yoru paper here please
l87kmps 1 year ago
dude on the fiddle looks like jeff foxworthy
coltsfanjason 1 year ago
@coltsfanjason
That is Jeff Foxworthy !!!
HarborRocker67 1 year ago
@coltsfanjason lol I was thinking the exact same thing! haha
piperathegates2112 1 year ago
did anybody mention greatness?
borntrippin 1 year ago
paul anastasio is one of the fiddlers.....is the other fiddler gordon terry?
rolarho 1 year ago
Bass player looks like Ronnie Milsap
stiffy36 1 year ago
In today's terms....he is hot in this video!
guyaushk 1 year ago
@garfieldthe3rd The one and only, Roy Nichols.
capitalismforme 1 year ago
Comment removed
HarborRocker67 1 year ago
Paul's higher than a kite.
capitalismforme 1 year ago
Thank god for these old videos,if they dont make you feel good.Stay in bed....
lp2nat 1 year ago
3:11 "yeah, yeah, far out! I dig this country groove man"
bcstpete 1 year ago
Great stuff by one of the very greatest artists ever!!!
HossCurtis 1 year ago
Slicker than silk socks.
krenzcar88 1 year ago
awesome song thank ya
likes2aplay 1 year ago
thats wayne durham playing bass in the background
toriElena 1 year ago
thankfully we still have merle. when he is gone...so is real country!
johnrunion 1 year ago
@johnrunion thats the TRUTH
maddie983 1 year ago
@maddie983 sadly, yes it is the truth.
johnrunion 1 year ago
good but no one is better thzn old waylon
waylonlover859 1 year ago
I have to write a paper about this song. -_____- any ideas???
Soulpower1484 1 year ago
Intro, verse, verse, solo, verse, end, drink...
surfdude2000 1 year ago