The Steel Guitar Forum

Where's Norm? I hope he is ok. Saw Hag this week and Biff and Don were the only Strangers there. Great to see Biff back. It was thrown together for sure. Norm hurry back! Loretta Lynn kicked butt!

I just talked to Norm at 5:30 PM ,,,that' minutes ago, he's on the bus...and doing fine JF

I just got this info from the horses mouth, and was asked to post it. Norm is still on this tour, and has not missed a show. The band is the same one that has been with Haggard for several years, with the exception of Binion. He is Merle's son playing some guitar.
Norm is also selling his new CD at the shows. Since he has shaved his head, and is wearing a little black hat, some may not recognize him. But he is starting his 42nd year with Merle, and still going strong.

That show sounds like it was in some alternate universe from the great show I saw here just a few nights before. I thought the band was in really good form, that Norm sounded great, and that Hag really seemed to enjoyed himself and sang his a** off.

If you have a chance to get hold of Norm's CD, It is well worth the money. Choice material and great tone out of the GFI. It's a super CD. alan

Ditto that for the show here in Austin on June 18th. Band and Hag both sounded great, Norm also of course.

My apology goes out to Norm....I totally did'nt recognise him then. Wow....Norm I still love ya and hope you except the apology.......I do like the new hat...

Norman Hamlett has always been a tasty player. Merle Haggard (in my opinion) was the Greatest Country Singer that ever was, or will be. But Merle is done. He is merely a shadow of his former talent and his voice is poor. He should quit now before he tarnishes his career, but these guys want to hang on forever.

Where do I order Norm's CD??? Thanks...Bill

... Merle is done. He is merely a shadow of his former talent and his voice is poor. He should quit now before he tarnishes his career...

Wow... That's some statement!

I've seen Merle a lot over the years, and yes, a few times lately his voice was understandably showing the effects of age. But at the show I saw last week he was sounding fantastic, singing as well or better than any country singer you could name in my humble opinion. He may have a bad night now and then (hasn't he earned that?) but he's still got it!

And I'm pretty sure that the sold out Ryman crowd (full of distinguished pro players and singers) didn't think he "tarnished his career", or wished he'd quit...

Brad Rigby wrote:Norman Hamlett has always been a tasty player. Merle Haggard (in my opinion) was the Greatest Country Singer that ever was, or will be. But Merle is done. He is merely a shadow of his former talent and his voice is poor.

WHAT??!! I saw him about two years ago and it was the best show I've ever seen him do. He's still an energetic performer with a fantastic voice, style and stage presence. He put on a 90 minute show that really kicked ass. Much better than back in the '80s when he was "opening" for George Strait, going through the motions for 25 or 30 minutes.

Norm's one of my favorite players. Some people aren't aware that he's also the band leader. He's the glue that keeps the show together and on track.

Somebody get the wagons and pitchforks together,we're going to Colorado!

Dick,
Don't forget to bring some rope too! We can't allow this kind of heresy here.

I think Merle's voice is even more seasoned now that it used to be. He can hit really low notes now that sound cool.

I saw him two years ago in Bismarck, ND. Even though he had a cold and a scratchy throat, he sounded great and got through a 90-minute show. Norm wasn't there, but Joe Manuel was and I got to meet him after the show. Cool guy.

No, no. Merle ain't done yet. George Jones has acquired the "Geezer" sound, but not Merle. Not yet.

Joe

Brad Rigby wrote: Merle Haggard (in my opinion) was the Greatest Country Singer that ever was, or will be. But Merle is done. He is merely a shadow of his former talent and his voice is poor. He should quit now before he tarnishes his career, but these guys want to hang on forever.

I'll take Merle on a bad night over any one of the big hat hunks that Nashville tells us is singing Country music these days!!

I thought the topic here was about NORM HAMLETT.

Me too, Roger. It's getting slightly off topic...

On any night, Merle and Norm is better than any of the rock roller they got in Nashville. Merle is king of the traditional country music and Norm help to put him there

Shorty, I sure agree with you.

Me three!!
Redd

Well, has he got the wind of the 80's? Hell no. But the timbers of that baratone were sweet as ever last summer at the Ohio State Fair with Jones. Merle regained a lot of the vocal strength after the stints and what not a few years back. Those live at BB Texas albums are some of his best ever and he was late 60's when it did those. I'll take Hag at 71--and Norm without hair-- over the whole lot of what one can hear on FM country these days. With me it's not all about the vocals. Let's not forget the songwriting, vocal arangements, and a band second to none.

Who would you rather hear sing those Hag songs?

(I know I'm preacing to the choir here...)

Ron cites the "Live at billy Bob's" CD. That ought to be required curriculum for anyone before joining a country band!

Thank you Ron and Clyde, Me and Redd are on the 1st Billy Bob's album, and I'll never forget that night!
Norm and Redd play GREAT on it!

Alan Harrison wrote:If you have a chance to get hold of Norm's CD, It is well worth the money. Choice material and great tone out of the GFI. It's a super CD. alan

Alan
Can you give more details of the CD. I would love to get a copy. I have all of the Strangers albums.

Well, has he got the wind of the 80's? Hell no. But the timbers of that baratone were sweet as ever last summer at the Ohio State Fair with Jones. Merle regained a lot of the vocal strength after the stints and what not a few years back. Those live at BB Texas albums are some of his best ever and he was late 60's when it did those. I'll take Hag at 71--and Norm without hair-- over the whole lot of what one can hear on FM country these days. With me it's not all about the vocals. Let's not forget the songwriting, vocal arangements, and a band second to none.

Well said Ron!

Norm Hamlett shaved his head? What is the world coming to? Oh, well I guess you get to that certain age and you say, "Why not"? I'm in my sixties and planning my first tattoo, so there you go. I'm having a heck a time convincing my wife to go along with this. It's a very small one on my left arm above my watch. Gee, I guess I'm at that age too. She keeps wanting me to grow up, but I'm too old. If it won't hurt nobody and if it ain't agin the law I say, GO FOR IT!

Michael in the Ozarks