Whats your best Haggard concert

JamonHamon · December 19th, 2005, 05:11 AM

For me its #1 Hollywood Bowl in the 70s #2 Some Bar in reseda ca 80s #3 2005 outlaws Toby Keith with Haggard and others but I was totally Haggard Blind So what your best Hag concert. Dale Hamon ________JamonHamon

riggergreg · December 19th, 2005, 10:16 AM

Back in the early 80s, I used to ride with a wagon train club out of Ridgecrest, Ca. Once a month weekend rides and a weeklong trip once a year. Merle played one Saturday night, for the club leaders birthday, back in the hills above Ridgecrest. Up close and personal, had a few drinks, told a few stories, really laid back...

Thats "My Favorite Memory of All"

RCinMempho · December 19th, 2005, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riggergreg

Back in the early 80s, I used to ride with a wagon train club out of Ridgecrest, Ca. Once a month weekend rides and a weeklong trip once a year. Merle played one Saturday night, for the club leaders birthday, back in the hills above Ridgecrest. Up close and personal, had a few drinks, told a few stories, really laid back...

Thats "My Favorite Memory of All"

Sweet.

Merry Christmas from Shoe and me!

Paul in Colorado · December 19th, 2005, 11:27 AM

I've only seen Merle once, in the early '70's at a pavillion at a fairground in or near San Jose, CA. It was the classic line up with Roy Nichols and Norm Hamlett. They were good, but I thought the show could have been a little longer. I seem to remember Roy playing a whilte Tele with a black pickguard. Does that sound right?

Mark Davis · December 19th, 2005, 01:14 PM

In the early 70's when I was hanging around Gene Moles guitar shop Merle and his band did a show in the guitar shop. It was awesome. Got to sit right next to Roy.

tdowns · December 19th, 2005, 03:33 PM

You shouldn't have asked, because I'll load down the TDPRI with some keystrokes on this topic. The earlier ones are my favorites, except for opening for Hag in '87. The dates are fairly accurate because I can tie key things to the event. These are my top 3.

#1. Summer 1969, Icard, North Carolina
The Osborn Brothers opened the show. It was the standard Strangers... Roy, Norm, Bobby, Biff, and Dennis. Merle's voice was SO big. They sounded just like the record. Hag was very sharp looking too, very well dressed and groomed. I got to meet Roy and Norm. Roy was playing his '53 white Tele w/ the black guard. The other thing I remembered was the traffic jam from everybody trying to leave the venue. That is the first time I ever saw traffic. I'm not kidding. (I come from so far back in the hills of NC that we didn't get the Grand Ole Opry until Tuesday!!

)

#2. Late 1974, Icard, North Carolina
Dolly Parton opened the show. Merle and Dolly...now there's a couple of big ones!! Merle's big hit that had just emerged was "Everybody's Had the Blues" on the "I Love Dixie Blues" album recorded live in New Orleans in August of 1974. Tiny Moore was added to the lineup at that point. He had a horn player too, but I don't recall if it was Don or not. There was some little short guy playing guitar too, but I don't think I ever figured out who that was. Merle's vocals were so darn good. The part I remembered most was everybody playing their parts on the intro of "Everybody's Had the Blues". A chill went up my spine. That was a BIG sound.

#3. 1987 Hopkins County Civic Center, Sulphur Springs, Texas. The Texas artist I was playing guitar for opened for Merle at that show. I got to spend some time with Roy. Roy had moved over to the dark side (playing a Les Paul) at that point. I was good friends with Jimmy Belkin (Hag's fiddler at the time), so he introduced me to all the Strangers. That was the full 80s group, Yeary, Church, et al. My biggest memory of that gig was that Roy and Biff walked out front while our band was doing sound check. Ceclia Lord (sound w/ Hag) was running the monitor mix and she ran that operation like a drill seargent. She yelled "guitar" and I needed to play. There was Roy and I had to play something. You couldn't have stuck a pin up my butt with a jackhammer. My fingers froze up. I couldn't even play in front of the man. I told him later how much he influenced me. He looked at me like I was crazy. He didn't take praise very well.

So many good memories....

poorplayer · December 19th, 2005, 03:35 PM

I saw him open for Bob Dylan at the Beacon Theatre in NYC earlier this year (or was it last year?) - it was my first time seeing him and it stands out as one of the best music performances I've ever seen in my life. His humour, his voice, his playing, it was awesome. I had a hard time getting into Dylan after that, MH totally stole the show.

Gene Moles · December 19th, 2005, 03:40 PM

Hi Mark, I've have a picture of that grand opening at my dads shop. I'll send you one. One of the most memorable for me was when I playing with Merle back in 76'. We did a show in OK. and Eldon Shamblin, Grady Martin, and Tiny Moore played with us. I think it was in Tulsa. Eldon was playing a Strat. Grady taught me how to play El Paso the right way.

JamonHamon · December 19th, 2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamonHamon

For me its #1 Hollywood Bowl in the 70s #2 Some Bar in reseda ca 80s #3 2005 outlaws Toby Keith with Haggard and others but I was totally Haggard Blind So what your best Hag concert. Dale Hamon ________JamonHamon

at the bar in reseda Leona Williams one of His wife was His opening act She was cute but she was practically boo'ed off stage the fans only wanted merle I was right there three feet away ah Merle Haggard the man is the best Dale Hamon-------JamonHamon

tlecstr · December 19th, 2005, 10:23 PM

My mother was good friends with Bonnie Owens' sister, and she got me a backstage pass.
Hey Gene, you probably don't remember me, but I got to sit in with you a couple of times here in Bako when you were playing with Troy... I can't remember his last name. What a experience! Took me a week to get my jaw off the ground.

Gene Moles · December 19th, 2005, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlecstr

My mother was good friends with Bonnie Owens' sister, and she got me a backstage pass.
Hey Gene, you probably don't remember me, but I got to sit in with you a couple of times here in Bako when you were playing with Troy... I can't remember his last name. What a experience! Took me a week to get my jaw off the ground.

Thanks for the reply. You might be talking about Troy Maddron. Or it was Merles nephew Troy Barton. I sat in with Red Simpson while I was out there recently. He's still pickin his 60's Tele and singing great. Tell him howdy for me.

Texsunburst59 · December 19th, 2005, 11:07 PM

It was the best cause our band opened up for him. It was in Mission Tx,and Merle had Redd playing guitar. I had only heard of Redd,but never seen him live. What a humbling experience. After seeing Redd play,it was if all my licks were the equivalent of "Mary Had A Little Lamb"
compared to his guitar magic. I got to talk shop with the guys & hang out back stage and they were all a very courtious bunch of guys. We open up for a ton of Nashville and Texas country acts, and I've had lesser known and lesser talented unknown up and comers treat us like they were the sh*t and we better bow down to them.Anyway this show was MY favorite Merle show.

JamonHamon · December 19th, 2005, 11:55 PM

I really like Hags new style of wardrobe its real cool Bluesy 1940ish looking the hat the country Jacket I'm 51 years old I think I may have to start dressing cool like Hag-Blues Brother type vibe Dale Hamon ______JamonHamon

Mark Davis · December 20th, 2005, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Moles

Hi Mark, I've have a picture of that grand opening at my dads shop. I'll send you one. One of the most memorable for me was when I playing with Merle back in 76'. We did a show in OK. and Eldon Shamblin, Grady Martin, and Tiny Moore played with us. I think it was in Tulsa. Eldon was playing a Strat. Grady taught me how to play El Paso the right way.

Hey Eugene good to see ya here!

jdfoosh357 · December 20th, 2005, 07:16 PM

I saw him a couple years ago at KY state fair. His singing was relaxed, and way late....just the way I like it. It was awesome.

John Harrison · December 20th, 2005, 10:37 PM

A couple of years ago, in Coburg, Oregon (just north of Eugene). Merle and his band were set up on a flatbed trailer, in the middle of a pasture, right off of Interstate 5. Redd Volkaert was his usual amazing self on lead guitar. The beer was cold and the barbequed steaks were huge and cheap, too!
What a great way to spend a picture perfect early Summer evening.

flyingb54 · December 22nd, 2005, 02:43 AM

My favorite Hag concert was right in his home, in his studio producing him for the Burritos "Son's Of The Golden West" album in 2001. He invited me up to his place in Redding, where we re-cut "Mama's Hungry Eyes."
He was a prince, as was his engineer, the legendary Lou Bradley.
What made it for me was his compliment of my acoustic playing on the track. I busted my ass learning the tricky part off of his original record...in the hopes it would impress him. And it did..!!!
He told me "That guitar part was the glue to the original record, and you nailed it, hoss."
Well, Lord take me to your kingdom now...Cause Hag liked my playing. LOL
We shot the bull at his place for 5 hours. Talking California country and the old days at Capitol. He was like a kid.
Then he went to the mic and sang, with me and Lou at the board. Over the speakers, backed by my acoustic guitar, came THAT voice..the itegrity, the history, the sound. There it was... Now THAT was a concert......hoss!
JOhn Beland
www.johnbeland.com

tdowns · December 22nd, 2005, 04:05 AM

John,
You rule!! That is the greatest story ever. Where can I find that recording?

blue metalflake · December 22nd, 2005, 04:53 PM

Merle just toured this part of the world once and I'm not even sure when it was - about mid 70's I reckon.

I saw them in Belfast's KIngs Hall which is not a great venue, but the guys were awesome. This was I think the Strangers as @live in Philly, Roy, Norm, Biff etc. No fiddles, horns, but Hag did play fiddle on a few.

These guys just made it all so effortless, breezed through a set of all the big hits - beautiful music and unforgetable.

JamonHamon · December 23rd, 2005, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingb54

My favorite Hag concert was right in his home, in his studio producing him for the Burritos "Son's Of The Golden West" album in 2001. He invited me up to his place in Redding, where we re-cut "Mama's Hungry Eyes."
He was a prince, as was his engineer, the legendary Lou Bradley.
What made it for me was his compliment of my acoustic playing on the track. I busted my ass learning the tricky part off of his original record...in the hopes it would impress him. And it did..!!!
He told me "That guitar part was the glue to the original record, and you nailed it, hoss."
Well, Lord take me to your kingdom now...Cause Hag liked my playing. LOL
We shot the bull at his place for 5 hours. Talking California country and the old days at Capitol. He was like a kid.
Then he went to the mic and sang, with me and Lou at the board. Over the speakers, backed by my acoustic guitar, came THAT voice..the itegrity, the history, the sound. There it was... Now THAT was a concert......hoss!
JOhn Beland
www.johnbeland.com

John what a story I will always remember. By the way I always Loved Gordan Lightfoot does anyone know how is health is, And John I LOVE your rendision of (Winters night ) Got to love the Gordan Lightfoot years a big influance in my singing. I get goose bumps over ( winters night ) I'm a Big fan of yours John. Dale Hamon

Dirt · December 24th, 2005, 10:24 AM

My favorite was in 1984 at the WeFest in MN. The one and only time I saw Roy Nichols play. Incredible!

Our band was going to open for Merle in Branson, but prior to our show Merle decided not to have any opening acts. (I think because of a previous opening act experience on that tour, but I don't know for sure.) Our band leader went down anyway to talk with them and the folks we knew at the venue who knew us. They let him go in for the sound check. I guess Merle did about 45 minutes. The only people there was Merle, the Strangers, the sound crew and our band leader. Where was I? In MN.

Go figure...

Happy holidays,
Dirt

JamonHamon · December 25th, 2005, 11:02 PM

I hope the greatest Man in country music should have more posts than this come on guys keep um comming guys Dale Hamon

El Capitan · December 26th, 2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Moles

Hi Mark, I've have a picture of that grand opening at my dads shop. I'll send you one. One of the most memorable for me was when I playing with Merle back in 76'. We did a show in OK. and Eldon Shamblin, Grady Martin, and Tiny Moore played with us. I think it was in Tulsa. Eldon was playing a Strat. Grady taught me how to play El Paso the right way.

Would that have been @ the Tulsa Convention center? If so, That was the first, and BEST Merle show I've ever seen!

El.

Rusty · December 26th, 2005, 01:45 AM

Merle played an outdoor venue in Oklahoma City 7 or 8 years ago and when it started raining, he just kept on singing...even played "pennies from heaven"!!! and Redd was on fire as usual...

that also happened to be the first time I saw the Hag...are we noticing a pattern to our favorite Merle shows?

December 19th, 2005, 05:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
JamonHamon Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,337	Whats your best Haggard concert For me its #1 Hollywood Bowl in the 70s #2 Some Bar in reseda ca 80s #3 2005 outlaws Toby Keith with Haggard and others but I was totally Haggard Blind So what your best Hag concert. Dale Hamon ________JamonHamon

December 19th, 2005, 01:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,876	In the early 70's when I was hanging around Gene Moles guitar shop Merle and his band did a show in the guitar shop. It was awesome. Got to sit right next to Roy. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

December 19th, 2005, 03:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
tdowns Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wylie, TX US Posts: 2,675	You shouldn't have asked, because I'll load down the TDPRI with some keystrokes on this topic. The earlier ones are my favorites, except for opening for Hag in '87. The dates are fairly accurate because I can tie key things to the event. These are my top 3. #1. Summer 1969, Icard, North Carolina The Osborn Brothers opened the show. It was the standard Strangers... Roy, Norm, Bobby, Biff, and Dennis. Merle's voice was SO big. They sounded just like the record. Hag was very sharp looking too, very well dressed and groomed. I got to meet Roy and Norm. Roy was playing his '53 white Tele w/ the black guard. The other thing I remembered was the traffic jam from everybody trying to leave the venue. That is the first time I ever saw traffic. I'm not kidding. (I come from so far back in the hills of NC that we didn't get the Grand Ole Opry until Tuesday!! ) #2. Late 1974, Icard, North Carolina Dolly Parton opened the show. Merle and Dolly...now there's a couple of big ones!! Merle's big hit that had just emerged was "Everybody's Had the Blues" on the "I Love Dixie Blues" album recorded live in New Orleans in August of 1974. Tiny Moore was added to the lineup at that point. He had a horn player too, but I don't recall if it was Don or not. There was some little short guy playing guitar too, but I don't think I ever figured out who that was. Merle's vocals were so darn good. The part I remembered most was everybody playing their parts on the intro of "Everybody's Had the Blues". A chill went up my spine. That was a BIG sound. #3. 1987 Hopkins County Civic Center, Sulphur Springs, Texas. The Texas artist I was playing guitar for opened for Merle at that show. I got to spend some time with Roy. Roy had moved over to the dark side (playing a Les Paul) at that point. I was good friends with Jimmy Belkin (Hag's fiddler at the time), so he introduced me to all the Strangers. That was the full 80s group, Yeary, Church, et al. My biggest memory of that gig was that Roy and Biff walked out front while our band was doing sound check. Ceclia Lord (sound w/ Hag) was running the monitor mix and she ran that operation like a drill seargent. She yelled "guitar" and I needed to play. There was Roy and I had to play something. You couldn't have stuck a pin up my butt with a jackhammer. My fingers froze up. I couldn't even play in front of the man. I told him later how much he influenced me. He looked at me like I was crazy. He didn't take praise very well. So many good memories.... __________________ Best regards, Terry Downs http://terrydownsmusic.com Equine quadrupeds may be coaxed to the reference of specific gravity but may not be compelled to imbibe thereof.

December 19th, 2005, 03:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
poorplayer Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Televille Posts: 327	I saw him open for Bob Dylan at the Beacon Theatre in NYC earlier this year (or was it last year?) - it was my first time seeing him and it stands out as one of the best music performances I've ever seen in my life. His humour, his voice, his playing, it was awesome. I had a hard time getting into Dylan after that, MH totally stole the show. __________________ "So long, New York. Howdy, East Orange."

December 19th, 2005, 03:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Gene Moles TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nashville Posts: 36	Merle Haggard Hi Mark, I've have a picture of that grand opening at my dads shop. I'll send you one. One of the most memorable for me was when I playing with Merle back in 76'. We did a show in OK. and Eldon Shamblin, Grady Martin, and Tiny Moore played with us. I think it was in Tulsa. Eldon was playing a Strat. Grady taught me how to play El Paso the right way. __________________ Bakersfied born. Live in Nashville. Ex Haggard and Buckeroo band member.

December 19th, 2005, 10:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
riggergreg Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Back in Texas, Again Age: 51 Posts: 1,020 34 Photos	Back in the early 80s, I used to ride with a wagon train club out of Ridgecrest, Ca. Once a month weekend rides and a weeklong trip once a year. Merle played one Saturday night, for the club leaders birthday, back in the hills above Ridgecrest. Up close and personal, had a few drinks, told a few stories, really laid back... Thats "My Favorite Memory of All"

December 19th, 2005, 11:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,341 3 Photos	I've only seen Merle once, in the early '70's at a pavillion at a fairground in or near San Jose, CA. It was the classic line up with Roy Nichols and Norm Hamlett. They were good, but I thought the show could have been a little longer. I seem to remember Roy playing a whilte Tele with a black pickguard. Does that sound right?

December 19th, 2005, 10:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
tlecstr Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bakersfield,Ca Posts: 168	The great Kern County Fair in 84 My mother was good friends with Bonnie Owens' sister, and she got me a backstage pass. Hey Gene, you probably don't remember me, but I got to sit in with you a couple of times here in Bako when you were playing with Troy... I can't remember his last name. What a experience! Took me a week to get my jaw off the ground. __________________ "This one goes to eleven!"

December 19th, 2005, 11:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Texsunburst59 Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 356	Best was 2 summers ago!!! It was the best cause our band opened up for him. It was in Mission Tx,and Merle had Redd playing guitar. I had only heard of Redd,but never seen him live. What a humbling experience. After seeing Redd play,it was if all my licks were the equivalent of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" compared to his guitar magic. I got to talk shop with the guys & hang out back stage and they were all a very courtious bunch of guys. We open up for a ton of Nashville and Texas country acts, and I've had lesser known and lesser talented unknown up and comers treat us like they were the sh*t and we better bow down to them.Anyway this show was MY favorite Merle show.

December 19th, 2005, 11:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
JamonHamon Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,337	Merle Haggards apparell I really like Hags new style of wardrobe its real cool Bluesy 1940ish looking the hat the country Jacket I'm 51 years old I think I may have to start dressing cool like Hag-Blues Brother type vibe Dale Hamon ______JamonHamon

December 20th, 2005, 07:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
jdfoosh357 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 566	I saw him a couple years ago at KY state fair. His singing was relaxed, and way late....just the way I like it. It was awesome.

December 20th, 2005, 10:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
John Harrison Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 1,043	A couple of years ago, in Coburg, Oregon (just north of Eugene). Merle and his band were set up on a flatbed trailer, in the middle of a pasture, right off of Interstate 5. Redd Volkaert was his usual amazing self on lead guitar. The beer was cold and the barbequed steaks were huge and cheap, too! What a great way to spend a picture perfect early Summer evening. __________________ How can you be two places at once when you're really nowhere at all?

December 22nd, 2005, 02:43 AM	#17 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	IN HIS HOME My favorite Hag concert was right in his home, in his studio producing him for the Burritos "Son's Of The Golden West" album in 2001. He invited me up to his place in Redding, where we re-cut "Mama's Hungry Eyes." He was a prince, as was his engineer, the legendary Lou Bradley. What made it for me was his compliment of my acoustic playing on the track. I busted my ass learning the tricky part off of his original record...in the hopes it would impress him. And it did..!!! He told me "That guitar part was the glue to the original record, and you nailed it, hoss." Well, Lord take me to your kingdom now...Cause Hag liked my playing. LOL We shot the bull at his place for 5 hours. Talking California country and the old days at Capitol. He was like a kid. Then he went to the mic and sang, with me and Lou at the board. Over the speakers, backed by my acoustic guitar, came THAT voice..the itegrity, the history, the sound. There it was... Now THAT was a concert......hoss! JOhn Beland www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

December 22nd, 2005, 04:05 AM	#18 (permalink)
tdowns Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wylie, TX US Posts: 2,675	John, You rule!! That is the greatest story ever. Where can I find that recording? __________________ Best regards, Terry Downs http://terrydownsmusic.com Equine quadrupeds may be coaxed to the reference of specific gravity but may not be compelled to imbibe thereof.

December 22nd, 2005, 04:53 PM	#19 (permalink)
blue metalflake Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ireland Age: 55 Posts: 2,343 10 Photos	Saw him once but wow eeee Merle just toured this part of the world once and I'm not even sure when it was - about mid 70's I reckon. I saw them in Belfast's KIngs Hall which is not a great venue, but the guys were awesome. This was I think the Strangers as @live in Philly, Roy, Norm, Biff etc. No fiddles, horns, but Hag did play fiddle on a few. These guys just made it all so effortless, breezed through a set of all the big hits - beautiful music and unforgetable.

December 24th, 2005, 10:24 AM	#21 (permalink)
Dirt Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MN Posts: 155	My favorite was in 1984 at the WeFest in MN. The one and only time I saw Roy Nichols play. Incredible! Our band was going to open for Merle in Branson, but prior to our show Merle decided not to have any opening acts. (I think because of a previous opening act experience on that tour, but I don't know for sure.) Our band leader went down anyway to talk with them and the folks we knew at the venue who knew us. They let him go in for the sound check. I guess Merle did about 45 minutes. The only people there was Merle, the Strangers, the sound crew and our band leader. Where was I? In MN. Go figure... Happy holidays, Dirt

December 25th, 2005, 11:02 PM	#22 (permalink)
JamonHamon Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,337	Keep posts comming I hope the greatest Man in country music should have more posts than this come on guys keep um comming guys Dale Hamon

December 26th, 2005, 01:45 AM	#24 (permalink)
Rusty Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 340 24 Photos	OKC - in the rain! Merle played an outdoor venue in Oklahoma City 7 or 8 years ago and when it started raining, he just kept on singing...even played "pennies from heaven"!!! and Redd was on fire as usual... that also happened to be the first time I saw the Hag...are we noticing a pattern to our favorite Merle shows? __________________ Take it easy, Rusty www.myspace.com/1rusty www.rustyanderson.net

December 26th, 2005, 04:32 PM	#25 (permalink)
Gene Moles TDPRI Member