What Can You Say About Seeing An American Legend?

well let's see..

Let Me start at the beginning..

We waited in the hot sun for at least a good hour before the show.. waiting for Merle's manager to call.. the call finally comes and we're invited backstage!

I have to admit I'm a bit nervous.. I mean it's not every day you meet MERLE HAGGARD!!

We are introduced to MERLE and take some pics.. He signs a lot of stuff for us and makes some jokes....

When asked if we could use FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY he replies..

"WHY SURE WE LOVE IT WHEN THE GIRLS FLASH THE STAGE AND WE TAKE PICTURES!"

then when my friend with me hands him the polaroid photo she was holding to sign he asks her if it was a nude photo!

This shows that MERLE has a great sense of humor and isn't your typical NARROW MINDED HILLBILLY!

THANK GOD!

ok the show is about to begin and first up is MARTY STUART

now I'll definately admit I was never a big MARTY STUART fan but he put on a hell of a performance.. the highlight however for me of this was the fact that KENNY VAUGHN was playing guitar.. KENNY has played with such great acts as LUCINDA WILLIAMS and TRENT SUMMAR & THE NEW ROW MOB!

Another great moment in MARTY's set was when he did a beautiful version of JOHNNY CASH's LONG BLAKC VEIL.. truely amazing...

OK NOW IT'S MERLE TIME!!

just to see him come on stage was amazing.. MERLE HAGGARD HIMSELF!! one of the most recognizable voices in COUNTRY MUSIC preparing to sing live and in person..

His set list ran pretty much like a 45 minutes GREATEST HITS COLLECTION.. playing songs such as..

THE BOTTLE LET ME DOWN, THINK I'LL JUST SIT HERE AND DRINK, NATURAL HIGH, OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE and so much more.

I was disapointed that he didn't do I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN that is possibly my favorite MERLE tune.. but oh well it would have brough the show down considerably..

MERLE's jokes were non stop,, just like when he announces that he's going to INTRODUCE THE BAND and everyone sets down their instruments and shake hands with each other.... or even better when he makes the remark about FUN BEING OUTLAWED and that FUN IS THE SECOND BEST THING TO DO!!

To finish off the show he brought out MARTY STUART once again to play guitar on the MERLE classic WORKIN' MAN BLUES!! definately one of the most energetic performances of the evening!!

When it's all said and done I have to say MERLE HAGGARD is truely a living Legend and should be experienced at least once!!




*review by The Dead Puppy*

CLICK THE PICS FOR LARGER IMAGES

VISIT THE OFFICIAL MERLE HAGGARD WEB SITE

GO BACK TO DEAD PUPPY CONCERT REVIEWS MAIN PAGE