Merle Haggard Stories

[@otisgibbs]

I made this compilation to make it easier for people to find all of these stories. These are clips from interviews I've done over the years. Feel free to share it with your favorite Merle Haggard fan.

[@M8-20]

Thanks for mentioning Bob Dunn. 🥰

[@johnloftus6043]

Otis, I learn a lot from your podcasts. By the way, Tulare Dust the songwriters tribute to Merle Haggard is one of my favorite collections. Just beautiful

[@Leann2]

I’m one of Merle’s big fans , I seen him live 5 times in person, he’s was authentic and awesome.. one of the greatest, nobody can replace him.

[@cjcurtis8944]

@@johnloftus6043Dave Alvin’s Kern River is out of this world. It’s up there for me as one of my favorite recordings ever. I generally don’t prefer a cover to an original, but damn he nailed it.

[@batman48195]

I miss your earlier cassette tape interviews. Those were fun.

[@paulbaker5812]

Merle was the greatest musician who ever lived, I got so emotional when I heard about his passing, I still get emotional at times when I am listening to his songs, I am so happy I had the opportunity to see him in concert in 1969. I miss Merle every day. Paul

[@TaylorWashburn1981]

I love Chris Scruggs' impression of Merle singing like Lefty. Dead on.

[@songsmithy07]

There's a video of Chris talking about the history of the telecaster in country music, He would give a detailed back story for each style of playing and who the pioneers were for that style, then he would demonstrate each players style perfectly. It doesn't come across me telling you about it. The guy is so skilled and knowledgeable. A treasure, really.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

Merle was the first person I ever met who I considered a real icon . He was nice but he also had an intensity that seemed to say ' Don't f**k with me if you know what is good for you '. He put on a great show and I got to watch from the wings. My job allowed me to meet lots of musicians. The ones who stand out were Merle , Tom Jones, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Mark Farner, Tommy James, Mickey Dolenz , Pat Benetar , Travis Tritt , and Chuck Negron . Those were the coolest ones. The ones who weren't cool I just don't talk about. Merle was the first and the one who left the biggest impression, along with Tom Jones, who told me about hanging around with Elvis, which obviously got my attention. Thank You Otis for the vids

[@songsmithy07]

Chris Scruggs is a walking encyclopedia of Country Music history. Imagine what it'd be like to sit between him and Kenny Vaughn on the tour bus.

[@ClintonC.Caraway]

I'd love to hear a interview with Chris Scruggs and Kenny Vaughn about what it was like to play with Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn on the Sweetheart of the Rodeo 50th Anniversary Tour.

[@sevenmileridgeband]

Bad Ass is Absolutely Right!!!! Fantastic stories. I love Peter Case.... whoa The Bakersfield Angles Chapter? that's some serious fellas I'll bet. I played the shit out of the 1986 "Peter Case" record. To this day one of my favorite records..... Man, I heard the Chris Scruggs interview when it was posted earlier. This is incredible. The whole thing about the Lefty Frizzell guitar and Merle singing Long Black Veil? Wow. So cool!!! Long Black Veil has to be one of my favorite songs. My wife and I play it all the time. Thanks so much for putting this Merle Haggard's "greatest hits." reel.

[@alext.]

Otis, I'm challenged to try and let you know how much I've enjoyed this. An incredibly real, accountable array of real people discussing those who brought us life in song. I've enjoyed this to no end.

[@PongbyAtari]

I got really choked up when Chris mentioned Merle died on his 79 birthday it took me right back to March 1995 when my dad passed away on his 79th birthday these are such great stories about Merle I could listen to this stuff for hours.

[@thealleys]

the monologue at the end was pretty great.

[@mikebunch5553]

I'm 64, first heard Merle when I was about 10 from my father's collection, been a fan ever since, thanks Otis. ❤

[@rogerwilliams2629]

I appreciate this, as I've said many times, he's my favorite artist and has been since I started singing his songs in the 60s.

[@wittry2]

Great stories about the Hag! Always enjoyed the Workin Man Blues.

[@hanzzarkov7690]

For me, it's interesting the different observations the story tellers have of their own craft. They each have a unique and intricate grasp of what they are trying to do, and how they are doing it. Really rich stuff. Excellent material, thanks!

[@chrisbrowning6102]

Thanks for these long-form compilation videos, Otis. Very entertaining content.

[@josephclarke4244]

Otis my friend, You are doing something very important with your interviews. I love that you just let those you interview just talk; no redirecting, I think it's so much more interesting to let a person "Tell their story" Also, I grew up a rock kid back in the sixties and seventies, my parents listen to country owd to their upbringing in eastern Pennsylvania, in the thirties and forties they listen to the grand ole Opry. I knew all the artists your interviewee's speak of, I know a lot about rock history, but these interviews bring back great memories of my parents. My mother especially loved all the characters of Country music, growing up without much my parents identified with the country Stars. Both mom and dad truly identified with the coal miner's Daughter, my parents grew up Irish in a coal mining community. Please keep up the good work, your doing the lord's work my friend.

[@JHargis68]

Chris Scruggs is an amazing musician and singer in his own right. If you ever get a chance to see Marty and the Superlatives live, GO.

[@bmurphy616]

I can’t get enough of these- I must admit I have never dove to deep into country and its stories like these that gives me a whole new perspective. These things are little masterpieces, thank you!

[@mjlotus]

Lefty Frizzell handing his guitar to Merle ...! What a story!

[@MizzouRah78]

That wasn't quite how it happened. Lol

[@mjlotus]

@@MizzouRah78 7:28 lol

[@MizzouRah78]

@@mjlotus I realize this video references the story. I'm just saying the story told in this video isn't quite accurate.

[@mjlotus]

@@MizzouRah78 I wasn't there, so I don't know. It's a good story.

[@MizzouRah78]

@mjlotus I obviously wasn't either. Lol. I recently watched an interview with Merle Haggard where he told that story himself.

[@artemisXsidecross]

A wealth of good stories that will be saved for research and history of the music I enjoy. Otis is like Homer who leaves behind oral stories to be savored. 😉

[@rc6981]

Man you have been cranking out the videos loving it. Thanks always great content. 👍TCB⚡

[@MindGamerzify]

Absolutely Amazing, I love hearing these stories from the sources

[@theresaheyer537]

thank you for these great stories....love the history....music...the US....MERLE is the man.

[@songsmithy07]

Wow, Otis! Doesn't 100K subscribers gets you one of those play button plaques? Congratulations! Thanks for curating all these wonderful stories. I first started tuning in to your videos on KZbin back when you had the thumbnail image of a tape deck. I treasure your interviews. I could listen to guys like Kenny Vaughn and Chris Scruggs talk for hours, and thanks to you, I've been able to do just that. All of the others are just as golden. These aren't just stale old normal interviews; they're more like conversations among friends. Who better to tell these stories than the folks who lived them. Now, with 100K subscribers, you've created a whole community. I just met a new friend at a local music venue the other night, and we somehow got to talking about how we love road stories. At the same time, we both said, "Have you ever heard of Otis Gibbs?" ... and we knew we'd met a kindred soul. Thanks for capturing these great stories from life on the road and making them available to those of us who love what you love. 🧠💜🎶

[@mattkennedy2470]

Great compilation! And congrats on hitting 75K!

[@Thurston86]

You Rock Otis! 🤘👽👽👽 Thank you for the upload! 👽🙏👽🙏👽

[@danthegeetarman]

wow thank you so much for this compilation! So good! I would to see these compilations for other artists too. I could listen to theses all day long 🙏🙏🙏

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

Otis you never disappoint I love your channel. The production the content everything

[@annem8152]

if anyone should have owned Lefty's guitar and Bob Wills' fiddle, it was Merle! thanks for sharing these stories about my favorite singer.

[@SeanKerns]

I'm loving these. Thank you, Otis and Peter.

[@danthegeetarman]

First off this was an epic collection of Merle stories. Was engaged start to finish!! Blows my mind how many iconic artists and moments he was involved in. Also, I too would also love to live in a world where dale Watson was on top! Junior brown too!! Between the both of them there’s so many amazing songs

[@filobeto1691]

As a few others have mentioned I enjoyed your monologue at the end. I don’t even know where to begin with my own lists. I am a total nerd for the craftsmanship required to pen a great country song. However I also feel my soul is moved the most when paired with heartfelt emotion. Mike Cooley, Fred Eaglesmith, Mindy Smith, and many others I can’t pull up just now. Emerson said it best, “To be great is to be misunderstood.” And Thoreau said “Rather than fame, rather than money, rather than love, give me truth.” With each drop of blood that slips through the hourglass of life, so does the purest truth of the human experience.

[@danielcombs3207]

Thanks again Otis. I really enjoyed this compilation of interviews. Job well done.

[@american_cosmic]

This was so cool, thanks for doing this!

[@tomabbot7324]

Love these stories. Thank for another great video, Otis!

[@Chuck-Bob]

Yeah man, I was just going there Otis. Wayne Hancock- Thunderstorms and Neon Signs

[@woodyboley9785]

Thanks , Otis.

[@rtex9364]

Songs that deserved more recognition. Girl Of The Century, Rosie Flores. Just For Tonight, Phoebe Hunt. Hometown, Sarah Jarosz. And on and on.

[@purplereigninblood]

Thank you Otis, Glad I got to buy my mom tickets to see Merle one last time.

[@bretthamilton7308]

My God, this is entertaining. Merle all gangstered up, wow.

[@ClintonC.Caraway]

35:40 Well of course he chooses the middle seat Otis. He's a real cowboy. He doesn't have to drive and he doesn't have to get in and out messing with the gates.

[@ryanmarsteller5405]

Merle was certainly one of a kind! "Today I Started Loving You Again" remains my favorite. To the end point of modern "Country" artist, I'm a fan of Gethen Jenkins. Most notably his album "Where the Honkytonk Belongs". It has an Outlaw feel to me, if I had to put a label on it. I'm also a fan of Jason James! He has more of a modern George Jones feel/sound to his music. So many great artists that seldom make it to the radio. Johnathan Parker and the Belairs "They'll Never Play my Songs out in Nashville", Bryan James "Slowing Down in Style"

[@jimmarshall3066]

Yeah, the pioneer spirit and " Get 'er Done " attitude and vibe from early country and bluegrass bands was part of what made America Great ! Somehow, seems to me , everything about our free and independent way of life in the U.S.A. has been diluted or watered-down from the original....This is really apparent with music. Things have sounded pretty grim on the top 40 country stations! in recent years, thankfully we have an explosion of "indie-alt-country with the likes of Colter wall, The Dead South , Sturgill Simpson , The Drive-by Truckers just to name a few, things are definitely looking up...........love the content, Otis, thanks

[@JayBirdsChannel]

I was able to catch a Merle and Bob Dylan show in Birmingham, AL maybe 2008-2010ish. Obviously, Dylan’s voice has changed much through the decades. He still put on one hell of a show and his band was great! But Merle was as smooth as ever. He was one of my dad’s musical heroes. And he got me and my wife tickets to go. It was so special to me. They don’t make them like Johnny Cash, Waylon, Willie, Dylan, Kristofferson, and Merle. We should make a new Rushmore with these guys on there. Just the greatest storytellers to ever walk the earth.

[@ClintonC.Caraway]

Jim Herrington just oozes cool with every word and expression.

[@atrickyfix701]

Is a band name. 1100 Springs. Two songs-the only thing she left me was the blues. and the other song would be. I'm an Sob when I'm SoBe r. Great band from texas you'll have to check them out.

[@earlfairbanks6360]

Not sure if Jason Isbell really qualifies as country, but I bet Merle would love his stuff. Jason’s latest song, “Cast Iron Skillet” is a must listen.

[@RonBaker456]

Buck Owens was one of my favorites and a gentleman all the way. Loved him with Roy Clark on Hee Haw.

[@skotski54]

"A Dollar A Day", written by Scott Roberts, Salem, Oregon 29 years ago.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

The last country music band that really made me pay attention was The Mavericks. They were legit

[@bartpike441]

So much cool❤

[@bruinsfan8278]

Thanks for runnin your mouth about Merle Otis! Well Done !

[@M8-20]

Rarely hear anyone mention Uncle Bob. He was a trombone player too, in his early days.❤

[@paultorbert6929]

Country-honkytonk vs Country-cosmopolitan

[@jilltherockstaragent]

There’s a flaw in this piece. Merle and Cash did NOT meet in prison. Yes Merle was in the audience but they did not meet that day. Merle was simply inspired by him that day but no interaction was made at that time.

[@VonHanzee]

Otis soy face just kills me

[@obizzil]

Jason Boland, Randy Rogers band, Cross Canadian ragweed. Charlie Robinson, stoney larue,Are all great underground Artists

[@davidlindgren7605]

BR549? Yes, but you forgot to mention the Derailers, every bit as good, in my opinion.

[@alanagottalottasay997]

Stattt to finish wow……wow! Live Throwing Cooper hidden track Hkrse

[@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 songs still and always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of beautiful days.

[@jameswarner6899]

I love old merle

[@musicman1976]

You gotta hear Cast No Stones written by Ward Davis and Cody Jinks.

[@trentsmith3408]

Buck was a real cowboy he didn't have to drive and he didn't have to open the gates

[@williamdeming853]

Hummingbirds- Willy Tea Taylor and Bull Riders And Songwriters.

[@CharlesHuggins-x5n]

All the greatest artist all ways done their best work when under the influence of alcohol or drugs they would all say that if you could ask them.

[@BST501]

❤

[@maxmoon2254]

Diesel Town by Rick Todd out of Amarillo.

[@CharlesHuggins-x5n]

Lol that's funny stuff

[@CharlesHuggins-x5n]

You got him good those piercing eyes like he could see right thru you. you.That was him.

[@Barry101er]

Does anybody have any stories about Dallas Producer Jim Beck ?

[@shembre6157]

Just look up "Stuck in a castle"

[@purpleandgoldpoetry]

Thanks @otisgibbs for this gathering major Merle fan

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

Misplaced! Oh find them please!

[@garysmith9823]

Damn brother. You are an interesting fellow.

[@robertcronin6603]

If We Were Vampires by Jason Isbell

[@mikebunch5553]

Look up Tyler Childers, very good modern country music.

[@otisgibbs]

Ways to support this channel. www.patreon.com/otisgibbs kzbin.info/door/YX2MTovE0vYjD8touqRH7Qjoin Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel. paypal.me/otisgibbs?locale.x=... www.venmo.com/OtisGibbs Paypal: @otisgibbs Venmo: @OtisGibbs

[@helmetsandsunscreen]

Real cowboys ride in the middle seat. That way you can get a couple extra minutes of sleep cause you don't have to get out and open the gate.

[@quailhunt1964]

👍🏻🎯

[@dhix2388]

Cody Jinx Cast no Stones.

[@dhix2388]

Jinks

[@scottwise4800]

Creeker by Tyler Childers is as good as any country song ever written.

[@willemvannieuwenhuyzen3139]

and no of course big trees close to each other

[@11dallis]

I would say anything by Jellyroll would qualify as meaningful current country.

[@mikebunch5553]

Modern country, at least the stuff on the radio is terrible, I call it crap, country rap, just terrible in my opinion.

[@cjcurtis8944]

Chris Stapleton is a breath of fresh air compared to the trash you’re referring accurately to.

[@jameshaller6290]

This is sheer turn on

[@Gmantsb]

He did lots of coke and weed

[@joyceb.sachsesachse1242]

OTIS, love ya please listen to the Hacienda Brothers " Seven little Numbers " these guys are great , the two albums they made a few years ago playing a TEXAS COUNTRY BLUES SOUND IS WONDERFUL. It is my go too album I listen on Sunday's, along with Doug Sahms Texas blues double ALBUM. They are my albums I listen to after breakfast and during my few beers for desert , they take me away and let's me feel real again. Love guy you're the best keeping wonderful history alive.......

[@alext.]

Amen.

[@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 songs still and always heals the Soul, I pray God gives you lot of beautiful days.

[@realadamnixon]

I agree completely about Adam Carroll and Dale Watson! Here's another great song, in my opinion: I Was an Oak Tree- Jonathan Byrd