Saw where the Hag had surgery Monday to remove a lung tumor. Friends say the surgery was successful and He was in stable condition. Below is the link to a short piece on it.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_en_ot/people_haggard_1

I hope he'll be all right. Willie, Waylon, Buck, Cash, George...all great but, Merle is right up there with them. In some ways he's the greatest since Hank and Lefty because at the peak of his powers (which lasted for a long time) his singing alone was the BEST in Country music. Add to that, his writing, his influences, his acknowledgement of said influences in the form of tribute albums, etc., his enormous and enduring success with mostly great songs and records and his profound musical vision...his like will not be soon seen again. After mentioning all those guys, I feel like I gotta mention Roger Miller, the hillbilly from outer space who had the whole poackage and HUGE POP success. Miller was perhaps more unique than any. You can add masterful, charismatic ENTERtainer to his list of pluses as an artist. I heartly recommend box sets for Merle and Miller! WW

I agree, Webb. The sad thing about today's country music is, a lot of those guys might not have gotten a break if they were coming up now.

There are so very few truly talented musicians left in the music industry. Merle is one of the few. I can remember being in high school and college and listening to his stuff. I still enjoy it. He is a clasic. Sending prayers and positive thoughts his way.

I agree with you on Hag and Miller all the way. Two songs I love, by Haggard "If we make through December" and Miller's "Old friends". Geat stuff. "Chug a Lug , Chug a Lug"

"Roses are red, violets are purple, sugar is sweet, and so is maple syrple." Classic. I agree with ya Webb. I am a huge Buck Owens fan and two years ago, a buddy and I went out to Southern California for an airshow. I talked him into going up to Bakersfield to see Buck's Crystal Palace. It was really cool to be the ONLY two people there and looking at Buck's guitars, Nudie suits, and other belongings. We saw the cottonfields that Merle sang about and saw Kern River. It was like being in a Holy land to me.

Best of luck to Merle, of course.

My favorites:
Merle - Mama Tried
Roger - You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd

Jo

No question that Roger Miller was a singular talent who was impossible to pin down. I mean, after the 60s he grabbed Broadway success with "Big River" in the 80s and took his career to a whole different level at a rather late period in his life. The work covers a w-i-d-e rage that few others attempt, much less succeed at.

As a side note, I love the Scottish duo The Proclaimers cover of "King Of The Road" even better than the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAZNhftw8bI

Now, when I sing the song, I do it in an exaggerated Scottish accent! It just doesn't sound the same to me without it.

It was John Fogerty's Blue Ridge Rangers album that introduced me to Hag back in '73. I have been a huge fan ever since. Songs like "Big City", "Mama Tried" and "The Bottle Let Me Down" never fail to put a smile on my face. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.