The Steel Guitar Forum

Merle was scheduled to perform at the Cape Gerardeau fair this thursday, It was announced this morning that Merle was on his way here and was taken ill and had to return home for treatments, Anyone know what his status is? By the way Mel Tillis and ray Price are filling in for him

Merle was enroute to the 1st day of the 12 day tour and became congested. He decided to cancel and turned around for home somewhere near Salt Lake City, Utah.....This was quite a disappointment for many of us.
He will reschedule, I'm sure.
His tour manager has assured that this is just minor condition, it will just keep him off tour for just a few days to recoup.

Hey Lynn, are yhou still playing at Long Hollow?

WOW!!!!!!!! Where can you get two legends on the same show for the price of one?, Merle cancels and they bring in Johnny Cox,and Jim Loesberg! Of course Johnny brought Mel Tillis and Jim brought Ray Price, And what a show!!! Mel and Ray were up to the task and put on a great show, Johnny was playing his MSA and sounding fine, And Jim's Emmons sounded great also, both were very visable and were up in the mix pretty good for an outside venue,Lots of good traditional country music, Country music is alive and well as long as these two guys are still around, Again I say WOW!!!!!!!!!!! what a show!

I wish Merle a quickly recovery and have him get back on the road soon, WOW!!!! what two greats I love both Ray and Mel, I am sure it was a disappointment for Lynn I am sure Lynn rehearsed for the show too. Oh well we do break down when we start getting older.
We can thank our good lord that we still have many legends still around and are working.

Roger, I have not gained any new info regarding Merle's health....We can hope that he is back in good voice real soon...
I would like to point out that Norm Hamlet is still playing steel guitar for Merle....about 42 years now....I'm impressed and entertained every time I hear him,
When I'm on the road with them I get to hang out with many of my heros.

I have got to know Norm through the Southwest Steel Guitar Shows in Phoenix over the past few years - I went to a show that they did here in Mesa a couple months ago.

After the show I was talking to Norm and he said, "I did not get to play much tonight --- but last night Merel worked me hard" - I said did he change the play list - I got one of those 1/2 grins from Norm and he looked at me out of the corner of his eye and he said, "been with him for 43 years and have not seen the first song list yet ----- he just comes out and starts singin' - most of the time he tells the song ------ it sure is a good thing that all he sings are Merle Haggard songs because we all know them."

I always introduce Norm at the Phoenix show as the steel player that can not find a job since he has HAD to work with Merle so long ----- this past year after about 5 years of that Norm said, "Well ---- Merel made me the band leader 6 mos. after I joined him and I haven't worked up enough nerve to fire myself ------- I BETTER PLAY NOW.

Some thing light to make a smile or two ---- I too hope he is back on the road soon.

Get well Merle

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

I haven't heard any news about Merle lately,Is he O K.? Hope he is improveing and is back on the road soon