Merle Haggard doing impersonations (Marty, Hank Snow, Buck, Cash)

[@BigBossGator]

Even though this is just playing around, it shows you what an amazing vocalist Merle is. It also demonstrates that he does not (under usual circumstances) try to sing like anyone else, even though he CAN sing like anyone else.

[@ryandawson2877]

Right… I had never heard him do that before I saw this video. He is good at it though… He probably did it at home sometimes just for kicks and perfected it.

[@oursoullessguide6361]

Alot of the 60's 70's country muscians could do each others tunes

[@zachmartinez7436]

Except george jones

[@DH_Artist]

When he first tried breaking into music, Fuzzy Owens turned Merle away because he sounded too much like Lefty Frizzell, which was Merle’s biggest musical influence at the time. Then once Merle went to San Quentin, and saw Cash perform, he picked the guitar back up to give other prisoners lessons. By the time he got out, he had his own sound. Learned all this from Merle’s first autobiography, “Sing Me Back Home.”

[@easyenetwork2023]

@@zachmartinez7436 George was about the only artist that was off limits for Merle to doin that Merle would not impersonate him.

[@MrRich-yp7eu]

If you weren't a teen in the 60's or 70's, then you missed a very precious time in history. This folks, is how you define country music. I lived in the era when this was prime time. Thanks.

[@keithwaynejones]

i didn’t grow up then but i do live in bakersfield so buck and merle are huge here. got to see buck live a few weeks before he passed

[@ARichardP]

Yup. Best time for country music.

[@mackydog99]

I'm 69 and a rocker, but, I saw Buck Owens and the Buckaroos at The Palomino Club in North Hollywood back in the mid 70's. What a treat.

[@oursoullessguide6361]

True! Doesn't even have to be country! Almost any genre from that era, blows away the modern interpretations of it

[@frankchilds9848]

I did grow up then,and you are right ✅ I miss the days when all those stars were with us!

[@HI-RISER]

I'd never seen this side of Merle before. That was awesome. His Hank Snow was incredible.

[@ngzcaz]

I agree, his Hank Snow was right on the money... His JC was was good until the real JC came out and sang with him. Just something about the deep projection of JC's voice that's hard to replicate.

[@thedukeboi]

pretty damn good stuff right there

[@michaelterry4394]

The one singer who couldnt be duplicated was JIM Reeves otherwise Merle was excellent !

[@danielmoran9902]

Glenn Campbell is up there with the top guitar players. People really need to remember how amazing he was

[@charliesgrumma5388]

Tanya Tucker screwed his brains out and he died with dementia.

[@KoriHoornstra]

Him and Roy Clark

[@davyboy9397]

Glenn Campbell Roy Clark Jerry Reed Chet Atkins

[@timlazar9030]

he even strums his guitar way up the neck like Johnny Cash, now that's an impression right there

[@chandisnewell8276]

Ever strum a guitar on the neck? It's nothing to consider an attribute or style. I think he simply didn't know any better 🤷‍♂️

[@bustinarant]

It can sound a bit different almost *anywhere* but yeah Mr. Cash may have been a bit out of it at times lol

[@maryvalentine9090]

And he even imitated Johnny’s physical movements… The way Johnny hunched his shoulders while he played and everything! Tickled me to know end!😂

[@concernedcitizen5057]

More talent in this 2 minute video than the last 20 years of country music

[@derekmonroe5791]

True

[@cut1986]

Check out Merle's son Ben Haggard. There is still hope.

[@Abenson1983]

@@cut1986 or Lukas Nelson

[@Peregrinatio52]

Check out colter wall, he’s got a voice that can really tell a story

[@lilpoohbear653]

indeed

[@mrhalloween17268]

Wow, I never knew that Merle Haggard could do impersonations - and he did them pretty good too. Country music icons Buck Owens & Johnny Cash just made this segment sooooo much better. There will (never) be another singer to replace them, especially "The Man In Black".

[@Aaroncoop9162]

The marty robins was spot on too

[@jackpardun2898]

All of them where spot on

[@hammer44head]

I saw Merle do a George jones impression during a concert in Santa Barbara that sounded just like Ol Possum.

[@jackdundon2261]

There has been imho 3 singers who "filled shoes". Toby Keith, Brad paisley. And Alan Jackson -- " where were you when the wold stopped turning" -- thats right up there with a ring if fire, or even he stopped loving her today.

[@youcanbesmartaskhow3857]

@@jackdundon2261 that's alan Jackson's worst, cheapest song

[@quinnmccully4689]

Not only does he nail the voices, but the facial expression too.

[@melissawilliams2325]

Exactly 💯 %

[@paolot8515]

I can't believe it Merl,Buck,Glen, Johnny, Marty. Gone but not forgotten. Such great talents.

[@nicojuro]

For those who don't know the songs Marty Robbins - Devil Women Hank Snow - Moving On Buck Owens - Loves Gonna Live Here Johnny Cash - Jackson

[@auldenjuarez1371]

Thank you

[@davecash7669]

Thanks!

[@cheongyei]

Thanks, Nich

[@BradleyBlanton-k4s]

During this time in his career, Merle Haggard was the best country singer I've ever heard.

[@larryflora8535]

I've watched this clip at least 20 times, and it makes me smile every time! What a talent Merle is. Its also nice to see Johnny and Buck on stage with him.

[@bluedoghidr5150]

...and you got that right boy’s ! THIS IS COUNTRY MUSIC...amen!

[@moecook6914]

That was cool I love all the old time country singers

[@BubbaZen10]

That stage had too much greatness on it.

[@MFE92]

Probably the best part of this is seeing Buck Owens singing harmony on his own song.

[@ghw1985]

almost sounds like conway too

[@jeffclark7888]

Agree.

[@leahflower9924]

let's just say I'll be dreaming about these men tonight HOT

[@IdFightMyDad]

What about Johnny Cash being June Carter?

[@jonahtaivalkoski322]

Fun fact: Buck Owens didn’t double track. They just brought Merle in.

[@dylanthomas4694]

Those ole boys hand more talent in there little fingers then all of country music today.

[@donaldduck2139]

you can say that again

[@herberthanlen2051]

I really can’t stand the “over the top southern twang” some “county singers” have today! I don’t believe you need to exaggerate the twang unless the songs you sing are really weak imitations of country songs. Merl, Johnny and the rest grew up hard, and sang about it! Having some late teen or early twenties chick sing about her broken heart is pure marketing BS. Loretta Lynn, and Dolly sang about real hard lives! That’s also why the blues was so good. It was about real life and struggles. Today singers may sing about what they think is life, but the passion and heartache and desperation is not there. When Merl sings “Momma Tried,” or when Loretta Lynn sings “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” it comes across as authentic. When Taylor sings about being heat broken at 16 doesn’t have soul. That is my rant for the day.

[@donaldduck2139]

@@herberthanlen2051 I bet it felt good to get that off your chest 8) .. . . and I'm hearing you.... cant beat the real deal

[@kirsten1007]

Truth

[@bitdragoon3260]

while i agree for the most part, there are some really great folks comin up on the scene. Childers, Wall and Simpson are really great

[@richardherrera885]

These guys are the real deal...miss that country sound!

[@A.S.EnglishLessons]

Thank you Glen for bringing together all these great musicians. You're all missed.

[@EschenbachClock]

I expected at least one of them to be a weak impersonation, but nope, they were all about spot on!

[@kevinjudy7218]

Matthew Cuellar. So right... every one was spot on hilarious!@

[@Royelsworth]

merle was the best at impersination he was pure talent

[@Smokey298]

the hank snow may have been the weakest link

[@plainjayne1981]

A tribute from a true fan

[@dorothyhorton5592]

@@kevinjudy7218 It was the greatest when Buck and Johnny came on stage I never knew Merle did imitation s and be so good at all of them

[@bigd1345]

The faces he makes for Buck Owens.......LMAO!

[@slappy8941]

That's what KZbin is for.

[@SaluteTheGuard]

His Buck Owens was better than Buck Owens' Buck Owens lol

[@vanessamccleskeyroden4349]

Omg!!! Yes Merle for sure had Buck Owens down to perfection!!! Merle was an awesomely talented man, you don't get much better than that man!❤❤❤

[@jakestokes398]

I know !!

[@mountainman8602]

He should have Buck down pretty good. He was Buck Owen's bass player for a couple of years.

[@tiredofit4761]

Wow! Four of the greatest country stars ever. I grew up watching all of them, listening to their music. So good.

[@ladyweasellou3367]

Don't worry, there's still plenty of us younger generations that love and prefer this. It's actually the ONLY kind of music I listen to out side older/real rock. I was a 90's baby and with parents that were older than most along with military parents where Momma being from Texas and Daddy from Arkansas it was just what I grew up with. Now, my husband was a 70's baby (yeah...yeah...I get it, everyone is a mathematician) and so he loves the same music as I.... And I... Actually, we both, absolutely despise this new "country music" that's nothing more than a bunch of sissys popping and rapping sounding exactly the same as eachother all about how country they want people to think they are. It's terrible. The only person still putting out albums that is any good is kick-butt Dwight Yoakum. I don't know what's wrong with the older ones that still produce but who've just seemed to just .... I donno, given up. No one is good any more.

[@picksalittle]

Holy shit, im so glad we have you tube. We will never see this good music and singers ever again. this is it nothing left but good folks postin old videos and I love it.

[@timfountain1995]

Merle's Marty Robbins & Johnny Cash was spot on

[@virginiawilson1836]

I adore his Hank Snow; that's my fave Hank Snow song!

[@Royelsworth]

so was his hank snow

[@AnonymousNP]

Let's agree all of it was great!

[@billbill2214]

And hank snow.

[@marvpearce4020]

@@Royelsworth Yes, it was bang on!

[@kentuckygirl9200]

Oh how I miss hearing REAL Country music!

[@pauldasilva3530]

KY Girl Me too!

[@kentuckygirl9200]

Paul DaSilva This so-called country now is not worthy of being called country music! You agree?

[@pauldasilva3530]

Absolutely.

[@kentuckygirl9200]

🙋👍🎵🎹🎻🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@kentuckygirl9200]

Not 🇬🇧 lol!?

[@jerrymartin3965]

I loved this time in my life. I was just a kid that loved country music.

[@matt99ill]

I wish the country music world today had 1/2 as much talent that was on that stage. Great video.

[@RaisingHellAgain]

matt99ill A to the Men!

[@johnk1818]

matt99ill Check out Brad Paisley

[@rosecassey1894]

+John Kelly that's a joke right? people like him and garth brooks is what ruined it in the first place

[@rememberdeath75]

Rose Cassey ain't nothing wrong with Garth

[@WesHuntermusicman]

Amen

[@muzikdude1188]

Amazing that he could not only do spot on imitations of all of those great singers but still maintain a distinctive sound of his own. Merle was a gifted talent.

[@istartedbeatlemania]

Seeing his reaction to Cash was hilarious 😂 I was born in 98 but boyyyy do I love 60’s-80’s country. Truly irreplaceable. R.I.P. legends ❤️

[@simoessiesteri]

This is one of dem videos you got to save before they are forever gone. GOLD!!!!

[@loraschultz9919]

Talented man, wonderful singer. He fascinates me every time I watch him, been times he brought tears to my eyes

[@doriemckay6935]

Best era for REAL country music 🎵🎶

[@roryjoseph7645]

I wish i was there to see and listen to these country boys..:)

[@jrneobliviscaris]

Keep forgetting to thank the good soul that posts this on KZbin.! Thank you

[@timbocorley8920]

Never heard anyone impersonate like Merle Haggard is the greatest singers of real country and doing any music and very best to ever impersonate just like the other singer sings and plays

[@LD_CONTENT]

Has to bring a smile to anyone who watches . . . Talented geniuses now all looking down from above.

[@gw6258]

My favorite bit is the exaggerated picking and guitar movement when he does Johnny Cash, spot-on hahah.

[@louie99999]

Doesn't get any better than this!

[@suziematthews8940]

WOW..THAT WAS GREAT. ..LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THEM ALL ♥ 😘 SO SAD WE DONT HAVE THEM WITH US NOW 😔.GOD'S GRACES 🙏 ♥ 🙏 R.I.P.

[@rodlinz]

Awesome, Merle Haggard, endorsed by Buck and Johnny himself. They are having a ball. having a laugh. I just can't comprehend the minds of the 400+ people who gave this a thumbs down.

[@1habicher]

Entertainers like this are here for such a short time, enjoy them or just leave them. I could not and they are a part of me. I have had wonderful times with all their songs, all are treasures of mine!

[@jmdoutdoors5729]

This is music from the heart. Thank you very much.

[@brendonleary]

Why are our lives so short.. These men deserved to live forever... Thank our lucky stars we have KZbin and these men had TV shows.. Thank you so very much for sharing this.

[@jenacarruthers2993]

I miss Merle so much; he was Awesome!

[@mikegalloway413]

I had NO IDEA Merle Haggard did impersonations. Not only did he do them, he did them UNBELIEVABLY WELL!!! WOW!!

[@phillipmerriman5603]

How great is that, I sure miss those days of TV.

[@paulobtuble]

It just hit me. They are all gone but not forgotten. Merl, Buck, Johnny, Glenn. RIP

[@gilbertannis6449]

There will never b more talent then here now, may u all rip guys job well done heaven must b glorious with all country music legends keeping everyone entertained

[@mecfossette4930]

I agree with so many comments here - the good old days of country music, hard living and telling the world all about it. How could anyone "down-vote" this....

[@timpreston459]

Hard to put it into words but I wouldn’t give you a bent penny for the new country music. Classic country is the real thing and these guys are wonderful representatives

[@ralphmiddleton9726]

Real country singers. Love em.

[@charlieboy1701]

WHAT a beautiful surprise it was to find this today! God I really needed it too. Thank you God for putting this much talent on Earth! I’ll be watching this all night.

[@jfree336]

Most of my childhood heros are gone now, Glen was the last of these 4, RIP fellas....you all made the world a little bit better.

[@MrFarmer110]

Goodbye Merle, thanks for the great songs, and say hi to the rest of the gang up there for us.

[@martyfan11agnosticalienfan]

And they all said hi to Glen yesterday.

[@peterbetts858]

Haggard put his last album, cd out in ,, 2011 . Its called Workin in Tennesee , Its Great . Packed full of Merle , he does some old n new songs on it . Jackson , too much boogie woogie , workinmans blues { with willie n his son ben haggard} n the title song ., which he plays in on a twin fiddle romp. Its Classic MERLE , Pick it up .

[@everetth-top4760]

Holy cow! Those were some great impressions! I had no idea Haggard could do such a thing.

[@virginiawilson1836]

LOVE Merle's Hank Snow!!! xoxoxo all of his impressions, so great!!

[@littlebitobi]

I watched these great country entertainers growing up, that was by far a great era for country music. Sadly, today's new country singers just don't cut the mustard.

[@MAGAMANPATRIOT]

It's heart rending to think they are all four gone now. Four legends of country music..God Bless em

[@michaeljohn7398]

It doesn't get any better than this. Wonderful Friendships on display.

[@buddybates3247]

Never knew....wow. after all these years. The band in heaven must be something to behold. ✌💖

[@getlost1198]

You see the respect that he gave Johnny cash, he walked out of the shot when Johnny came on. Very respectful and generous.

[@ytyler2012]

Well you know Johnny is the reason Merle even pursued a career in music. Merle was in prison at San Quentin when Johnny played there and it inspired him to turn his life around.

[@MrScrubby55]

I think he was told my staff to get off

[@duaneholcomb8408]

Yes sir I would have too but Johny. Was always a good sport. Never took his self to seriously that's what I liked about him,,,

[@Hambone571]

Mr Owens walked out of the shot also. Very classy.

[@musik102]

@@Hambone571 But let's get serious, Merle and Buck have tons more talent than Johnny!

[@markrush5013]

i was lucky enough to see the Hag several times...he never did the same set of songs and he was always amazing...the last time i saw him,about a year and a half before he died,he came out on the stage moving slow and watching where he stepped,like old people do,but when he started to sing it was his same strong clear voice he always had....i love you Merle.

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

mark rush I sure loved Merle too.👍🎻🎸

[@w.l.graves7228]

this is great ! merle haggard absolutely nails it !

[@agalgonzalez]

Merle Haggard's capture the voice, the guitar sound & playing style as well as the personality of the singer. He was as gifted a mimic as Peter Sellers.

[@IanRob2011]

I just discovered this video today. I never knew Merle did impressions. He was good too. Loved it when Buck and Johnny joined in too. Thank you for putting this video on KZbin

[@wrAIth-AI]

I've listened to Merle my whole life. Never knew how talented he was beyond his own albums. Johnny sings Johnny, but Merle sings Merle AND Johnny. great clip. thank you.

[@paolot8515]

Holy cow! Merl,Glen, Buck, Johnny, country legends to the end. Gone but not forgotten. RIP 😢

[@joannahalaby3975]

Bless him for giving us these to remember him by - great impersonations done by the best in country music.

[@davidmoore1517]

Hi there,how are you doing,how is the weather over there?

[@ryanlandriault9562]

I’ve watched this video more times than I’d like to admit.

[@jackdundon2261]

Now days 90% of the top 40 country singers can cover each others songs exactly. They ALL sound the same! I am 40 years old. And in the past 20 years they all sound more and more alike!

[@dad4ever-c90]

I knew Merle was a great singer and song-writer. I never knew he was so good with impressions. He nailed each one from voice to facial expression to guitar moves. And he looked genuinely surprised when Johnny Cash came out!

[@tvcameraop1451]

Awesome!! what a tribute to the GOATs!

[@MrJames442007]

It was good to see Merle, Buck, Johnny and the Whichata (sp) Lineman together and singing and cutting up.

[@Combat556]

This made my day. Long live America’s country music!

[@shaunelijah2232]

Lord, and what is MOST amazing is that NONE of these fine Country artists are alive today . WHO are gona' fill their shoes ???!!!

[@wolf4555]

This was fantastic ! No one or nothing like this entertainment anymore!

[@michaeldineen8324]

This is excellent. The impersonations were bang on. He even had the Johnny Cash method of guitar playing, off to a tee. What has happened to country music these days?. It is more rock and pop, than country. I wouldn't bother with the modern country singers. They are rubbish. Let's hope someone will carry the flag for old style country. Nothing is ever forgotten. There aren't many of the old style country singers left.

[@902alert]

My favorite Merle Haggard song is 'Sing Me Back Home'.

[@michaeldineen8324]

Another great Merle Haggard song, is The Fightin Side Of Me. It is one of his lesser known hits.

[@wildbill642]

Cant leave out, "If we make it through December!"

[@Odindon]

I wouldn't call new country rubbish, a rare few actually do as well as the greats.Times have changed each generation adds their own thing. I prefer Older country (like this) myself but I wouldn't blanket call all new stuff rubbish. Remember these guys like Willie, Merle, Kris, Johnny are different than Gene Autry, Roy Acuff, Jimmie Rodgers and etc..I'm sure people were saying the same thing then.

[@rhastaman1960]

Money

[@bradjones3935]

Merle was the best ever. I watched him live twice and it was an unbelievable concert both times. I will never forget those nights and I am privileged to have ever witnessed his greatness. Every one else wishes they had the talent Merle had. Wow, you are the best. We miss you every day sir.

[@ezragraham8992]

No one is going to comment on Johnny Cash singing waaaaaay up high when he first came on? I had no idea he could get up there!

[@capnjackdaniels3663]

yeah, that through me through a loop.

[@PotrzebieConolly]

I guess he was singing June's part.

[@peterbetts858]

Yeah go back n watch it , He was trying to sing the duet with Merle and do Junes part , for sure .

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

Pat Conolly 😂👍

[@mikkicochran7043]

LOL right!

[@johneastman3811]

I’ll 33 July of 2024 and I’d rather listen to these legends then what’s played on the radio today. I didnt really care for country music when I started playing guitar but as I got older I’ve come to realize that these older guys really had talent.

[@WillyPDX94]

Just makes you feel good to see these guys young and vital. They made some great music and we are the richer for it. God bless them all!

[@jacob_peterson]

Merle was spot on with all of these, what a guy

[@bryantlynch4845]

My dad use to tell me about Merle doing these impressions but I never got to watch these with him but now it makes me remeber the good times with my dad when I see these. Very greatful for whomever posted these.

[@frankstall1347]

Does not get any better than this ! The absolute best together.

[@pinkypromise111]

Wow! Merle was so good! Didn’t know he could impersonate their voices.🤗🤗🤗

[@dustinrusher8404]

rip merle a truly talented man he will be missed but his music will live on forever

[@MDSongRider]

HOW effen HILARIOUS !!! I LOVED THIS CLIP !!! Merle doing impressions and being snuck up on by Buck and Johnny to join in fun ! AWESOME : )

[@davewollenberg1518]

I like how Glen played guitar, along with Merle.

[@bowlingpro127]

Man, his Marty Robbins was so good.

[@KerrdogJ]

How have I not seen this yet? Simply amazing! R.I.P. Merle. How could 91 people dislike this???

[@joannahalaby3975]

Just love these impersonations that he could do - he was filled with talent from the one up above. We can thank the one up above for giving us Merle as we will have his music forever.

[@davidmoore1517]

Hi there,how are you doing,how is the weather over there?

[@joannahalaby3975]

@@davidmoore1517 It is chilly and cloudy today. Otherwise I am ok.

[@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!!

[@hollywoodtreasures5400]

Love Merle!! and all on this clip

[@yesyoumay]

As good as they were, impersonations were just one small part of Merle's great musical talent. Song writing, arranging, and singing were his big contributions and they were truly legendary. If you don't know him well spend some time listening to his many compositions, you'll probably recognize some you forgot about. Altho he was appreciated by many later in life, I still don't think this guy received the notoriety he deserved. Talent-wise he was really one of the top guys in all of country music!

[@tkinney80]

The best county artist of all time, not only is he in the country music hall of fame he's in the song writers hall of fame. Nobody could do it all like Merle.

[@emiller9426]

@@tkinney80 I don't like to get too specific in ranking musicians (in art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder) but Merle definitely should be in the top tier of Country! Jimmie Rogers, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash deserve credit too. Another amazing musician, in the related field of bluegrass, who like Merle didn't get full recognition for his great talent (except maybe at the very end of his life) was Doc Watson. Check him out if you haven't already.

[@skyscourge5663]

Kern River is one of my favorite country songs of all time

[@katherineskaggs6739]

Merle had a very distinctive voice. I downloaded a song he sang from Amazon music . I found it on KZbin , called “ I am an island”. But it says its Merle in HD and it doesn’t even sound like Merle. They have edited it till it sounds the same as all the rest of the “country “ singers . So I deleted it. I wanted to hear Merle not the generic singers today that all sound alike.

[@12121149]

All of those were spot on,RIP,mate.

[@micheled3006]

Merle had one of the purest voices I've ever heard in any music style. Totally wonderful!

[@nancyphillips8001]

Definitely the King of Country. He's the only person I listen to. He's the BEST.l

[@colonelbill7277]

Impressions aren’t easy and it’s hard to come across someone who can do them so well and I just watched him do 4 of the greatest country singers perfectly amazing

[@allanpotts6765]

Amen! Saw the Mighty Merle in 89 in San Jose; he probably sang 20 songs, fantastic.

[@mclark2288]

He was awesome! Love you always Hagg!

[@johnfrymyer8346]

Merl was one of the best ever. One of my favorites of all time