The "Hag" has left the building
Merle Haggard has played to his last SRO crowd on this planet. Merle, called "Hag" by his fellow CW stars and the many millions of worldwide fans, died on his birthday 4-6-37, at the age of 79 today, 4-6-16.
His "Okie from Muskogee" forever made him a beloved relative with Okies, even though he was from California. In fact, I guess most Americans think he was a native of the Sooner State.
Merle wrote many of his songs and could sing them with genuine "I have been there" pathos. Not all of us could identify with all of his award winning ballads of love gone bad and bar room escapades, but the overwhelming majority of Americans knew about love of country, hard work, raising kids, and trying to beat the checks to the bank.
I instantly became a fan of the "Hag" when he performed at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in the early 1970s. He was a world class musician on the guitar and fiddle. I especially enjoyed his tribute albums, pre-eight track days, to Bob Wills and the original Jimmy Rodgers.
Hopefully, the countless hours of media time that will note his passing and chronicle his easy going and touching songs, mention will be made of his unashamed conversion to Christianity.
The "Hag's" life is over, but for me and millions of others, his music will never die.
Glenn <><
Just West of Yesterday
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