Outstanding Haggard Article

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 29 Mar 2009 11:48 am

I was reading the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle this morning, and I was pretty stoked to see on the cover of the entertainment section a photo of The Hag.

Joel Selvin, the exceptionally talented music writer for "The Chron," went up to Merle's ranch outside of Redding near Lake Shasta, and came back with this story, which is available in the on-line edition as well:

http://tinyurl.com/cvs8hu

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 29 Mar 2009 12:26 pm

When you read the article, you'll see that Merle is playing three shows only with Kris Kristofferson, just them and guitars, though according to the article Hag isn't quite sure about the whole thing, not having his band around him.

And the first of the three is all of five minutes down the freeway from my house, at the Wells Fargo Center in Santa Rosa.

On the same evening, my wife and I are heading 25 miles south to Petaluma see another songwriter legend, J.J. Cale, who will be performing solo.

So it's kind of a bittersweet deal: I'm bummed about not going to the Haggard/Kristofferson show - I was considering at one point selling the Cale tix on Craigslist (these were purchased before the Haggard/Kristofferson show was announced), but JJ is no spring chicken himself - he's about two years younger than Merle and Kris, and rarely tours. Last time I saw him play was about 1974 when he opened for Traffic at San Francisco's Winterland, so it's been awhile!

Doyle Weigold · Post by **Doyle Weigold** » 30 Mar 2009 7:49 pm

I think by now you realize that you made the wrong decision. Ny opnion only.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 31 Mar 2009 6:45 am

Could be. At the time I was also thinking money - things have tightened up around this house in the recession, and we don't have the extra cash like we did before. The Hag/Kristofferson tix were quite a bit more expensive than J.J. Cale. Plus, I have been a fan of J.J. since his classic first album, "Naturally."

It has been a number of years since I have seen Hag, but I have seen him with the Strangers several times, and I have only seen Kris once, during the "Outlaws" days.

No question about it though, this Hag/Kristofferson show could be a concert for the ages.

Either way, it'll be a lot more fun than sitting home tomorrow evening watching American Idol!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 31 Mar 2009 11:48 am

I just saw Kristofferson the other night at a local arena. If you don't mind him stopping in the middle of most songs due to forgetting lyrics, or just doing a verse and chorus of most of his hits, you'll enjoy his portion of the show. He can hardly even play his guitar, let alone tune it. And Alanis Morrisette plays a better harmonica. Having said all that, he was very gracious and humble, and his renditions were heartfelt if nothing else. I can't speak for Merle's present proficiency, but with a chunk of lung out I cannot imagine him having a whole lot of gusto. I can see why he is a bit nervous about getting up there with just a guitar. I guess it would mean something to go see them sitting up there together, legends that they are. But in my opinion, your J.J. Cale ticket will assure you an equally good if not better musical performance.