Merle Haggard (1937-2016)
Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country and Western songwriter, singer, guitarist, fiddler, and instrumentalist. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster and the unique mix with the traditional country steel guitar sound, new vocal harmony styles in which the words are minimal, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville sound recordings of the same era.
One of the greats.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P., Mr. Haggard.You were the best ~
ReplyDeleteLooks like Willy's one of the last ones left.
ReplyDeleteDidn't care much for Merle back in the 60's, but as the
years went by, realized what a great songwriter and performer
he was. R.I.P.