Merle Haggard

[Thumper]

To say I was a fan, at least currently, is an overstatement. But more and more I recognize the major influences that artists and performers had or have on many of the musicians that I listen to and enjoy. I was exposed to old country music, (what I would call real country music before it turned into whatever crap it is today) at a pretty young age. Many of those classics are still in me.

So I post about Merle's passing as a nod and remembrance to the spirit of his music, what it stands for, what it meant to the people that listened, and those who were inspired.

I'll link to This live version of Working Man Blues by one of my favorite singeer/songwriters Damon Johnson. He quickly sums up what his exposure to music like this means to him. Sing it all the way home, Merle.

[SciFi Chick]

To say I was a fan, at least currently, is an overstatement. But more and more I recognize the major influences that artists and performers had or have on many of the musicians that I listen to and enjoy. I was exposed to old country music, (what I would call real country music before it turned into whatever crap it is today) at a pretty young age. Many of those classics are still in me.

We rarely agree when it comes to entertainment, but on this, we agree 100%. I, too, call that real country music. Do you know they have "country" singers who rap now? It's utterly ridiculous.

And don't get me wrong. i don't mind certain rap. And if you want to fuse rap and country together, I guess you can, but find a new name for the genre, because it's not country.

[SciFi Chick]

As for Merle, he was a real talent, and I think it's an interesting coincidence that he died on his birthday.

[Parrothead]

Know a few of his songs.

One of the talk radio shows I listen to, mentioned the dying on his birthday. Someone at the station did some searching, IIRC, they mentioned Shakespeare and Ingrid Bergman also died on their birthdays.

[vendic]

Never heard of him before but I liked the link.

Someone at the station did some searching, IIRC, they mentioned Shakespeare and Ingrid Bergman also died on their birthdays.

I thought they are still debating if Shakespeare was fictional or not.

[SciFiFisher]

Never heard of him before but I liked the link.

Someone at the station did some searching, IIRC, they mentioned Shakespeare and Ingrid Bergman also died on their birthdays.

I thought they are still debating if Shakespeare was fictional or not.

Debate does not equal acknowledged fact.

[SciFi Chick]

Never heard of him before but I liked the link.

Someone at the station did some searching, IIRC, they mentioned Shakespeare and Ingrid Bergman also died on their birthdays.

I thought they are still debating if Shakespeare was fictional or not.

He's definitely not fictional. What they're debating is whether or not he's responsible for all the works attributed to him.