Merle Haggard

Posted in From Jewel on July 3, 2008

So, if you dont already know, im a HUGE Merle Haggard fan. Have been since i was a kid. Hes just one of the finest songwriters and singers ever, in my opinion. Very under appreciated. He wrote somthing like 49 of his own #1 hits!!!!!! I can't tell you how amazing that is.  And he is very well steeped in american classic songbook standards and jazz, and knowing that, when you listen to his songs, you can hear the craftmanship in the way he builds melodies.  I think the world of him.  I was lucky enough to sing with him on his album of #'1's - and also then on a vegas pay per view special, and on the CMA's back in 1999 or 2000... But I haven't seen him sense - so i was excited the other day to realize we would be in nashville the same day.  I went to a lunch he was having for a green charity called Green Train, and i got to visit with him, and his lovely wife Teresa. I asked if he had written anything lately, and he said he wrote one he liked, 2 weeks ago, called "Love is Always Pretty When it's New".... And he leaned over and sang it right then. It was amazing.  It sounded less like a country song, and more like a classic Standard - it was clever and clean and even a little cerbic at the hook. Dear Lord, i hope i write that well later in my life. He said i could cut it if I like, and that he'd cut one of mine. Merle! Dont joke with a gal! Id love to cut one of his songs - and i have been planning an album of original "standards" type stuff, so the song would fit perfect. But i cant imagine writing a song good enough for him to cut!  His wife Teresa was so sweet- as Merle sang the words, she knew every one and her lips moved quietly in perfect time as she sang along under her breath- beaming with pride- it was really sweet.  You could tell she really adores him.
That night Ty and i caught his show at the Ryman and he sang great- and his 15 yr old son played guitar in the band. cool.  It was great to hear him sing all the hits i grew up listening to. I was reminded of how a lyric from Big City made me write a similar lyric in Who will save your soul- its the line where he says "so-called social security" and then i wrote my line "social security wont pay your bills" as homage to that line.... Anyway... I liked the show, and it was fun to see and od school concert that was just about great songs and great singing, in a room that was small enough to hear everything. 

XxJewel

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