Merle Haggard lives, Garth Brooks is long gone

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 2 Aug 2008 11:25 am

I find it so ironic. Garth Brooks turned out to be just a marketing blip in the history of country music. Just like Shania Twain. Merle Haggard and George Jones will go down as living legends. Loretta Lynn also. They are still touring. They were here before, and they are here after, because they are real. Merle still writes and plays his music. Real country music prevails.

Pat Irvin · Post by **Pat Irvin** » 2 Aug 2008 11:57 am

Kevin,

I hate to burst your bubble, but Garth Brooks is still a huge draw. Don't get me wrong I'm as big a Haggard fan as you'll find.

But Hag can't sell out 9 consecutive arena shows anymore, and Garth can.

It don't mean it's right, but it's the way it is.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news ... ooks_N.htm

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 2 Aug 2008 1:07 pm

Yeah, Kevin, I was wondering where you were coming from myself.

I won't be in attendance at any of Garth's concerts, but the reports are that he has been rakin' it in since coming out of so-called retirement from live performing.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 2 Aug 2008 2:32 pm

100+ million records sold is a marketing blip????

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 2 Aug 2008 3:03 pm

His 'retirement' lasted about as long as the Judd's did ......

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Aug 2008 5:12 pm

Barf Who?????

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 2 Aug 2008 6:05 pm

Marketing blip? From a business point of view, more like large asteroid landing in the center of North America, reshaping the entire continent. Not saying anybody has to like this, but I think GB is still the idealized biz model for the business side of the country music biz, which is based on demographics and money, not music.

It would be good if this would change, but I don't think it has, at least yet. In fact, I think a bunch of other styles borrowed from this.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 2 Aug 2008 8:20 pm

I think if I could have made a 100 million in about five years, I think I could afford to live a happy life at home for a few years.

A blip on the music scene means five to seven years of hotels, buses, mosquitoes, rains, freezing cold out door shows, screaming fans, absolutely no privacy and not being able to walk into store or Arbys without being mobbed. Not to mention all the freaks who wouldn't think twice to kidnap their kids for a million dollar ransom.

Remember that little blonde babe who sang with ABBA? She still gets mobbed in stores and and on the streets everywhere she goes. Abba was a six year $$$$$$$$$$$ blip. That was thirty years ago.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 2 Aug 2008 11:39 pm

I couldn't be happier that Merle lives--literally and figuratively. He tours; but when he comes to this market, he plays a quality, large club, not a concert hall or stadium. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Garth certainly didn't "retire" because he was a "blip"--he "retired" at the top of the game because he'd made so much money for enough years that he could afford to! And, presumably, returned to performing because he loves it! What's not to like about that?

In my personal opinion, while I would never compare Garth to the likes of Merle, and Garth's music is not in the "traditional" country vein, for the most part, neither does it deserve to be lumped in with the abominable dung that passes for "country" on the radio today. I think his work is far better, both in songcraft and in sincerity of intent.

My opinion only.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 3 Aug 2008 2:43 am

I seriously doubt that anyone can call Shania or Garth a marketing scam.

Although I prefer Merle and AJ to both, I suspect that Shania , as she collects her royalty checks in the mailbox probably EVERYDAY from all of the songs she has penned, which basically are ALL OF HER SONGS, pretty much doesn't care what a few Steel Guitar players think.

Shania has earned her spot and rightfully so. She may not be what we refer to as a traditional artist but she made HERSELF what she is. She defined what the rest of the gals behind her need to do and what they should look like. She and her husband Knew exactly what to do and did it.

Garth, he's a good artist and a good singer, he earned his spot as well.

Our bands have been covering Garth tunes on the setlists along with Merle and AJ etc k like many, for years now.People love those songs.

Nothing wrong with that. Actually, we have played many gigs where they did NOT want just Merle and AJ tunes all night.

Long live, Merle, Garth and Shania I say !

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 3 Aug 2008 3:27 am

Shania can do no wrong!

I agree Tony!

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 3 Aug 2008 5:42 pm

I think Kevin was primarily referring to longevity and the willingness to keep "taking it" for 40+ years.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 3 Aug 2008 8:54 pm

I'm not going to assume anything about the gist of Kevin's original post until he chimes in and elaborates on it.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Aug 2008 3:10 am

nobody loves Merle more than me, but nobody can argue that he (or his lable) have released countless retake/reissue/best of albums thru the years, some good and some, not so good. Some have the Steel removed !!!

At some point I am thinking Shania's next career will be to re-release the "reissue" CD's and like Garth , retire , then come back with a return from retirement CD..which I believe the concept was invented by the Judds . I think the only real difference is that Merle never actually stated that he retired during the process.

Remember, I love Merle, but I also have a dozen or so Merle CD's that should never have come home with me from the store !

Thank God for Rhapsody !

Probably for Shania, age will matter, Merle looks like the hobo that he sings about , Shania can't get away with that one ! Garth will probably have to give up the WIRE" across the stage routine. At some point, weight matters

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 4 Aug 2008 5:32 am

I am definately Not a Barth Gooks fan! However, compared to that horrible sounding Sugarland gal with the waawaawaa voice! Barth is the greatest singer out there! Seriously, Shania is gorgous & sings great! Sorry for the Hyjack, but everyone's doing it!

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 4 Aug 2008 6:10 am

Last month I saw Michael McDonald do "You Belong To Me" from 50 feet away on a Tuesday nite, and Kenny Loggins do "Angry Eyes" (for us lifers) 3 days later from 50 feet away.

The old guys still have it...

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 4 Aug 2008 7:45 am

Personally I like the Sugarland babe (Jennifer Nettles) and I think she can sing her butt off. Check out "Why Don't You Stay". I just don't care much for the little weird dude in the funny hats (Kristian Bush) who jumps around and beats on a guitar or mandolin. Whatever happened to the "large" girl who was with them whent they first started? She was on the first couple of videos and then just dropped from sight.

As for Garth, he's a keeper! He's got a bunch of great songs and he's penned a lot of 'em. He showed the world that a country act could play the big arenas and put on a first class show as well as any of the big name rock acts could. He brought a lot more people to country music than just about any artist you can name. Anyone who can retire for a few years and then come back on board that strong has to have something going for him. He's put on a few pounds though, maybe he should change his name to "Girth" Brooks!.......JH in Va.

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 4 Aug 2008 8:35 am

Merle Haggard once described his career as a 30-year bus ride. True, his song catalog has been released over and over. Now it’s a 40-year bus ride and the man is still out there entertaining many nights every year.

I liked Garth’s first two CD’s. After the trapeze act and the guitar smashing he sort of lost me.

Let's not confuse commercial success with being legendary in country music's history. Check the inventory on any used CD web site and see how many are selling the original Haggard albums. Contrast that with the Garth titles.

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 4 Aug 2008 4:16 pm

Bob Dylan..... Lay Lady Lay.

... another marketing blip laying in the big brass bed of Country Music!

..a bed with room for it all.

T

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 4 Aug 2008 10:37 pm

GB is still the idealized biz model for the business side of the country music biz, which is based on demographics and money, not music.

That pretty much says it all, Dave!

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 5 Aug 2008 12:27 am

I think Merle just like Hank Sr.will still be selling for many,many, years to come,after GB has faded away,Hank and Merle don't need big over hyped comeback tours to stay alive,DYKBC.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 5 Aug 2008 9:10 am

Credibility, like "cool", is hard to define. You either have it or you don't. Merle has it. Garth does not.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 5 Aug 2008 9:34 am

I agree with Dave's comment other than "Not Music"!
Garth has and still makes good music today.

Matthew Prouty · Post by **Matthew Prouty** » 5 Aug 2008 10:41 am

In Germany they call Garth Brooks (who is seen as the epitome of American Country Music)

UberMegaSuperStern Garth Brooks (the s on super sounds like Zuper).

m.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 5 Aug 2008 3:03 pm

Can you compare Madonna in musical talent to Ella Fritzgerald? I'm not of the opinion that selling millions of records equates to legendary talent. New Kids On The Block also sold millions. Some of Garth's early material was good, and I even enjoyed some of his later work, but Merle has never stopped through good times or bad. Same with Loretta Lynn. I'll agree that Garth left his mark on country music. Merle is playing a race track here at our county fair. 5000 people. I just admire his reality.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Merle Haggard lives, Garth Brooks is long gone

Merle Haggard lives, Garth Brooks is long gone

Fair Comparison?