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J.D.'s Haggard Bluegrass column |
| craig w |
11/4/2006 7:34:51 PM |
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| J.D.'s column about Merle Haggard's new Bluegrass project reminded me of some personal experience with "the Hag" back in about the spring of 1964 and of his great love for traditional country music. Right before Merle had his first big hit he was playing electric bass and singing a couple solos daily on Bakersfield's "Tradin' Post Gang" afternoon live program on KERO TV. The regulars included Billy Mize, Merle and Bonnie Owens, Fuzzy Owens, and Joe and Rosalee Maphis. They had guest performers in regularly and I had the opportunity with a little "living room" Bluegrass band we'd started, to play the show one day. The group consisted of Larry Cohea, Mike and Danny Beasley and myself. With the Beasleys we wouldn't think of doing anything unless it was note for note Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Stanleys or Reno and Smiley. When called on we did a couple of old Bluegrass classics in a particularly classic Bluegrass way. Merle either liked what he heard or really liked that Bluegrass sound because he came up after the showand asked if we had a manager because he would be interested in being our manager. We were all quite backward in those days and were clueless that Merle had the incredible singing and song writing genius he would prove to have or that he would reach the stardom that he would attain. I don't think our little band ever played a paying gig or even played much at all after that show. So many years have passed I seriously doubt that Merle would remember the episode but I came away convinced that Merle really enjoyed traditional Bluegrass music and I look forward to hearing the results of his Bluegrass project. |
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