RIP Merle Haggard

Shoulda

 

"I've got swinging doors, a jukebox, and a bar stool,
my new home has a flashing neon light."

Hope those swinging doors to Heaven's honky tonk opened up wide for Merle.

 

One of the guys I work with today had no idea who Merle Haggard was. He's lived far too long in Oklahoma just a quick drive from the titular city to not know the man who wrote "Okie from Muskogee."

 

Back in late 1973 was a really hard time for me. That's when If We Make It Through December came out. It gave me hope that I'd get through it and that better day were ahead. I can't hear that song about thinking about those days. I only hope Merle knew what that song and so many others meant to everyone. Hag, you're on country music's Mt. Rushmore along with Hank, Willie and the Georges - Jones and Strait.

 

Bob Wills would like to have a conversation about that. As would Waylon Jennings.

 

And Johnny Cash.

 

Not Jennings.

 

Old 97s also do a kick-ass version of his "Harold's Super Service"

 

The oldies country station here played nothing but Hag for 24 hours. It was awesome.