User talk:Sound man73
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The "Hag" has influenced so many artists over the years, but few know of Merle's influences.
Every musician/artist/performer is inspired by someone else. This is simple human nature (eg; a persons yearning to copy what they see, feel or hear).
Hank Williams has been credited with being the "Father of Country Music". Even he was influenced by others before him. Hank's own words "I tried to copy Roy Acuff and Ernest Tubb, but couldn't...so I settled for a mix of you two sumbitches".
Most know that Hank WIlliams died at the age of 29. A stint of less than 10 years! One could say he accomplished more in less time than any other singer/songwriter in history. It's a shame really because Hank had a tortured existence. Between alcohol addiction, horrific pain from back problems and his undying love-hate relationship with one woman.
So we can gather that even "the father" was influenced by others before him.
Merle Haggard has publically stated that all modern music in the USA derives from "The Negroe Blues" or "Delta Blues". Many others agree with this theory. Even the British rock bands of the 60's like The Rolling Stones, Foghat and Led Zeppelin are direct descendants of the American negroe blues.
It is this foundation that made the music of the greatest artists of all time possible.
Haggard idolized Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys as a child. He was also a fan of the infamous hobo popularized by the late Jimmie Rodgers. Merle himself hopped many trains as a young man searching for the freedom enjoyed by many of history's most enduring icons.
Merle has been performing since 1962. All the while penning more than 400 songs. His first studio album is entitled Strangers and was released in 1965. On this album alone we have 12 tracks that have withstood the test of time. Merle's own "You Don't Have Very Far To Go" is now a country standard. The last track entitled "Walking The Floor Over You" is of course a title that Ernest Tubb made famous.
Merle would record more than 75 studio albums and appear on over 50 more albums as a guest within the next 40 years. His complete discography has mystified many collectors for years. An excellent resource for finding his albums can be found at Merle Haggard Discography Simplified.
Here you will find over 150 albums listed in chronological order from 1965-2005. Includes complete track listings and original photos of album covers.
Many of Merle's songs are inspirations from his fallen heroes such as Jimmie Rodgers, Lefty Frizzell, Bob Wills, Floyd Tillman, Hank Williams and countless others.
by Sound_Man73@Hotmail.Com
