Merle Haggard - A Friend In California (live in late 80s)

Credit for the video goes to the Remembering Merle Haggard page on Facebook. I tried looking for this video on KZbin but I couldn't find it, so I decided to post it. Great solo by Clint Strong! If you want a great transcription of the guitar solo, go check out Levi Clay's channel.

[@kencampbell9297]

Where in the world would you hear a better solo that that? Clint is a monster!

[@rickallen6378]

We miss Merle so much.

[@marybailey2475]

John cash

[@ronboyce7252]

So glad I was able to hear all those songs. I too was born on April 6 and my name is also Ronald but I’m only 80. Miss you so much Merle Ronald Haggard.

[@guitarheel99]

One of the best live solos I have ever heard.

[@clayjones8890]

Clint Strong. That’s all! The absolute best! Hag was the GOAT!

[@claudehopper9813]

Merle always surrounded himself with the best God Dang players . Clint really ripped it up !

[@cruiseguitar]

Clint Strong- just wow! Ridiculous solo, country meets bebop jazz lines, especially that long descending motif where he plays 2 minor 9th lines against the 5 (7th) chord is just mind blowing- what a beast!

[@jessewehner7838]

Awesome solo!!!! Hag kills it every time

[@jasonyoung6732]

Clint Strong BLOWS my mind!

[@vickileafey1525]

No one will ever come close to Hag!!

[@Mattea68]

esp he garbage called country nowadays who cant sing to save their lives, just hid behind their electronics

[@theeaskey]

Damn straight.

[@insanedieg01]

Came for the Merle, stayed for the Clint solo.

[@MichaelBartlettGuitar]

Clint is such a beautiful player. His phrasing is beyond impeccable.

[@rubynavalta2317]

We missed you so much Merle Haggard!

[@buck546]

Merl is one of the greatest country singers ever. Like so many others before him it was a very sad day when the news came of his passing. Merl you got a lot of friends left on earth that sure misses you.

[@joevalentin2450]

The lead guitarist is truly amazing.

[@bigelib6373]

Wow that guitar player needs a freaking shout out! That solo was a thing of beauty!! Great job! One of my all time favourite songs to do, just for that solo alone haha 😎🤩🎸🎸

[@JC-tr8eh]

Clint strong is a beast!!

[@bigelib6373]

@@JC-tr8eh haha 100% agree! 😎😁🎸

[@knifelyfe6565]

Clint studied under Howard Roberts.What gave that away? Lol AINT IT FUN BEING FROM TEXAS!

[@benjaminholt6640]

He's in jail now I believe

[@knifelyfe6565]

@@benjaminholt6640 Hes been out.I saw him in Big D not that long ago.

[@user-tv3mr7jw9d]

I have always been a Merle Haggard fan!! The Mighty Hag will live on through his music forever!! ❤🙏💯

[@franciennitikoesoema9677]

That's him the special voice Melle hagard.my vaforite singer.RIP MERLLE🙏

[@knifelyfe6565]

Clint fits that bebop in there very nicely. AINT IT FUN BEING FROM TEXAS!

[@delcaplette7676]

Clint Strong on lead.....great guitar player.

[@clayjones8890]

My old band used to open a ton of Hags shows in the early 2000s. Wish I could have seen this configuration! Clint is one of my all time favs!

[@knifelyfe6565]

@@clayjones8890 Powers was a badass too.He wrote the music for this tune.

[@reddeserted13]

Buck is my personal favorite but Merle is the GOAT

[@henrykazaorska9313]

Beautiful voice

[@crossoverline4623]

So clean voice merle.

[@tommywood343]

The Hag R.I.P. Merle

[@lizrusso9274]

I love him. 💕

[@janicesartain8417]

Plove Merle Haggard.grezt singer and musician

[@michellegarretty3070]

Love ❤️ this song...

[@LarryBill-ei8kh]

l agree with you, indeed Merle Haggard is a great and talented artist who's songs never goes out of style,he's one of my favorites artist, he's songs still and always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of beautiful days!!

[@idaberrones3809]

Miss my favorite

[@joanbyrne111]

You have friends everywhere that misses you 😂😂🥺

[@theeaskey]

Another great Freddy powers song,, most underrated singer and writer..

[@gailragsdale885]

Freddy Powers died just days after Merle died. They were good buddies😂

[@anelladambrosio2513]

Amo questa canzone!grande performance...😊😍😘🎶🎸🎶💘💓💕💯💯💯

[@jrzapata7042]

Me mom n the whole world miss you Merle!

[@janicesartain8417]

I miss you Merle.i was born in april 17 1941. Im 80 too Me ft. Le. You are still a little older than i am. I love your voice your songs and your music. And best of all i miss you most.you are my inspiration. Keep singing

[@marvelladams5914]

we miss you Merle

[@rebeccamiller8098]

I miss him too and my brother also does

[@Hagfan789]

A Great song from Merle off his 1986 album titled, "A Friend In California". (Written by Freddy Powers.

[@dianelibsack6058]

Hi👱‍♀️🌼🙏A Verry 🧡Tru Legend,This is.Mr. Merle Haggard🙏🤠🙏❤. One of The Tru🙏Verry Best! I Love his Music,& My Mom,Loved❤🤠Him. Too. Her Genuine Fav🙏. His Music takes yor❤heart. Always.Will though,Never Be 4gotten. Always Remembered in Our Hear❤ts,4evver To Come.He's the Best.🤠🙏🙏👍🌼😊🌸💜🎶🎤🎶🎸

[@LarryBill-ei8kh]

l agree with you, indeed Merle Haggard is a great and talented artist who's songs never goes out of style,he's one of my favorites artist, he's songs still and always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of beautiful days!!

[@margaretsharbono2218]

Wonderful.

[@LarryBill-ei8kh]

l agree with you, indeed Merle Haggard is a great and talented artist who's songs never goes out of style,he's one of my favorites artist, he's songs still and always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of beautiful days!!

[@alward5678]

One of the best guitar solos Ever. Right up there with Kid Charlemain

[@knifelyfe6565]

Two different styles but you are correct.Larry Carlton's solo on the Steely Dan classic never gets old.Checkout the solo on SD's "Third World Man"

[@deedeescrystalblueclassics3973]

Love it! The Tex Mex horns added that special touch! 👏

[@glenbeck5602]

One of my ATF songs!

[@christianjagneaux1037]

Wonder why this wasn’t included on the live at ACL in 85’

[@rwren]

Wondering the same thing

[@kvl505]

Merle is so smooth and engaging at a visceral level. This song is perfect..

[@scottweindegher]

HAG EVER🎤🎶

[@JohnnyPerth]

Listen to that strong guitar

[@jacksonn.2399]

I've watched the entire performance of Merle's 1985 show at Austin City Limits here on youtube, and there is no part of him singing this song in the performance. I am fairly certain that this is the same concert, though, Austin City Limits in 1985, that was later released as a live album. My question is, where is "A Friend in California" on this album? Did they come back for an encore?? Would be cool to have the live version of this song somewhere other than youtube.

[@rosedismore1046]

That background singer the lady is Merle haggard's daughter Dana Haggard she died a little while after this concert

[@rwren]

The singer is actually Donna Faye per the credit from the Live in Austin DVD

[@bettygossett2178]

She is Dana, but she died about a year after aaaaaaaaaaaaamerle.

[@LarryBill-ei8kh]

l agree with you, indeed Merle Haggard is a great and talented artist who's songs never goes out of style,he's one of my favorites artist, he's songs still and always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of beautiful days!!

[@ronaldmallow291]

Listen to... ADDICTED TO HAGGARD AND JONES on KZbin and Spotify

[@JohnnyPerth]

1987 before Roy retired

[@emiliovaqueromartin1656]

One friend in Spain

[@shaunelijah455]

VIVA Espanol !!

[@JohnWells-go6wo]

Kenny Rogers

[@JohnWells-go6wo]

Thursday the years

[@russjones4034]

Anyone know the name of the lady back up singer? See 3:14 through 3:28

[@GWTG]

I'd like to know. Maybe a daughter?

[@rwren]

Donna Faye see credit at end of live video found at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKeUeWCNfbaFm9U

[@anelladambrosio2513]

Bellissima canzone! R. I. P... In pace amore... 😊😊😊😍😍😇😇😇💘💘💘

[@bettygossett2178]

Who is the male singing harmony with Merle on this?

[@denisehollenbaugh9766]

Dennis Hromek

[@davymurdock6183]

G

[@willwipf7030]

You have a fan in Montana that misses you hag