Chances are you already know that Merle Haggard died back in April. What you might not know (I didn’t) was that the day he died (April 6th) was his 79th birthday.
I imagine when you get to that point you may not think about it all that much, but sitting here pondering it now, it would be strange to die on your birthday and I’m not sure how I’d feel about it. I’m not big on the God thing, but I’ve often said that somewhere, somebody is sitting behind a giant control panel full of knobs and buttons, quietly directing us.
Not sure why I felt the need to write that, but I suppose there’s more of a point to it than there is to me telling you how great Merle Haggard is. If you’ve spent any time listening to him and enjoy country music even a little bit, you’re already aware. I have nothing personal or profound to say about him. To me, he’s simply someone who lived a hell of a life and got really good at making really good music about it and the way it made him see the world. And as a fan, that’s the most important thing, isn’t it?
Everyone has a favourite Merle song. Mama Tried, The Fightin’ Side of Me, Okie from Muskogee…but while those are all great, this is mine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHY23tMeCug
The music is just so easy to get lost in and let’s be honest, most of us have had a feeling like this at least once. Merle Haggard – April 6, 1937 to April 6, 2016
My Merle passed away this morning peacefully surrounded by his loved ones after a long hard battle with his health.
Today April 6, 2016, which was his 79th birthday. He left to go to a much better place.
He was the best singer, songwriter and performer I’ve ever seen. Not only did he write the songs he sang, he was the music.
I will miss him forever.
Theresa Haggard