Merle Haggard passed away yesterday--April 06, 2016

The death of Merle Haggard on his 79th birthday leaves a void that will never be filled. His lifetime contributions to Country & Western music, and music in general, are immeasurable. Some folks would be surprised to learn that some of the songs they really like--not recorded as C&W songs--were written by Merle Haggard.

IMO Mr. Haggard's passing ranks up there with the deaths of Hank Williams, Sr. and Johnny Cash. I consider those three men to be the Greatest of the Greats. A solid argument could be made that other names deserve to be included on the GOTG list, but those are my Big Three selection.

The man was a fine songwriter, distinctive singer, and he was no slouch on guitar.

 

I'm not a much of C&W fan either. Merle Haggard is one of the C&W artists who I consider "heartfelt." IMO there aren't many who are in his class, esp. "newer" C&W music.

 

whose gonna fill their shoes?

 

No one that I know of. IMO the last living member of the old school of heartfelt C&W is Willie Nelson.

 

A good article about Merle coming to Fairbanks Alaska to woe the love of his life (at the time).


Before he hit it big, Merle Haggard followed his heart to Alaska | Alaska Dispatch News

 

The time Merle Haggard Played the White House