Artist of the Century???

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 12 Mar 2000 12:16 pm

There can be no other choice than Merle Haggard,Heck I use to do 4 sets of Hag songs and still not touch all the bases.Try doing four sets of the soon to be retired (My ars) Brooks.

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CJC

Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 12 Mar 2000 12:39 pm

I agree with Joe, Merle is the one, of course lets not forget Jones and Hank Sr. Richard

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Paul Crawford · Post by **Paul Crawford** » 12 Mar 2000 4:50 pm

Unfortunately, this wasn't idle speculation. Actually happened in the March 3rd edition by Radio & Records, "a leading broadcasting industry trade publication." They also named WSM as the Country Station of the Century. You can read about it here:

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/000308/tn_gaylord_1.html

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 12 Mar 2000 5:06 pm

Garth Brooks,artist of the century? I'm still waiting for the punch line..................I'm waiting.

[This message was edited by Earl Erb on 12 March 2000 at 05:07 PM.]

Earl Erb · Post by **Earl Erb** » 12 Mar 2000 5:08 pm

Hummmm! Guess its not a joke.

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 12 Mar 2000 10:29 pm

Johny Ray hands down.

Pete Hunter · Post by **Pete Hunter** » 13 Mar 2000 7:48 am

I think we need Buck Owens in there someplace also. I remember when I was in High School in the mid 60's that Buck had a lot of songs on the charts back then too along with HAG and he also helped shape the direction Country music went at that time.

I remember every jam session I went to back then the song "Sam's Place" was played along with Merle's "Branded Man".

Ahh, for those days and songs again!

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Pete Hunter[This message was edited by Pete Hunter on 13 March 2000 at 07:50 AM.]

Ron Page · Post by **Ron Page** » 13 Mar 2000 10:10 am

Considering the source, should we be surprised?

(I mean "Radio & Records", not Paul)

There were lots of good points about Merle's tributes to the greats before him. Another tribute of sorts was "My Farwell to Elvis". Although, compared to the other works mentioned, I'd have to consider this more of a "commercial" venture. Even though Hag did pen "From Graceland to the Promised Land" for that album.

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HagFan

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 13 Mar 2000 1:29 pm

Radio & Records surveyed country radio industry veterans who have a national perspective on broadcasting plus more than 20 years' experience.

Collectively, I'm sure.

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 13 Mar 2000 7:59 pm

Merle Haggard, for all the reasons given above.

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Don Walters
get "listed" at the World Wide Steel Guitarist Directory
www3.sk.sympatico.ca/waltd/
(aka On-Line Steel Guitarists of the World)

Al Johnson · Post by **Al Johnson** » 16 Mar 2000 8:15 pm

I really injoyed Bobby's comment Collectively
very true most likely. I've been listening
to Country also Western music since the early
40s I reckon. I don't know who to vole as
the top, but it is not Garth Brooks, I still
haven't bought anything by him, (a couple
songs weren't bad) I've always leaned toward
West Coast and Texas music since the beginning. We all know what Nashville's
opinion was of any performers West of
Nashville. I like music with steel guitar
being featured. That means Western Swing, ET,
Hank Thompson, what can I say I don't care
for Garth Brooks or what they call Country
music the past...how many years now. Al

Ingo Mamczak · Post by **Ingo Mamczak** » 17 Mar 2000 6:35 pm

Male or Female , ( no pun intended ) I think KD Lang has to be one of the best singers of this Century . Mr Brooks is just better at selling videos

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 18 Mar 2000 1:08 pm

I think for an artist {and I mean the old term here, the one Ernest remembers}that would represent this century..it would have to be Hank Sr.

For sheer influence, charm, wit, timing, paid his dues, and so much more.
He's symbolic of success and decline, so many have emulated and burnt out leaving much less behind.
He was the sinner who knew he couldn't be saved, full of honky tonk charm and strangely exploitive of his life {remember his marriage ceremony to his second wife was in two matinees with 'tickets' at the door!}

A strange strong character, yet a hen pecked son and quarrelsome father, he toted a gun and passed out drunk, brought a standing ovation to the Opry and followed with multiple encores.
His life is mythology, iconised and idolised, revised and held as an example of 'too much' too soon.

He's just a guy, but man..he touched all the bases.

And they vote for Garth Brooks???????????

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Tony Chavez · Post by **Tony Chavez** » 18 Mar 2000 3:55 pm

Haggard,Jones,Strait,Twitty and Patsy Cline

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 19 Mar 2000 4:03 am

Ron;
Did you know Buddy played steel and dobro on Hag's LP, "My Farwell to Elvis"? Pretty cool, eh?

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My best,
Ernie

The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com