Merle Haggard - "Workin' Man Blues" [Live from Austin, TX]

[@RobertBabnick]

Roy Nichols lays down a face melting Tele solo and then tucks his guitar away like it was nothing. Amazing talent on display.

[@houstonrebel4449]

Haha. "Sounds like Roy" -Ronnie Van Zandt

[@justinpedalpusher]

Roy finishes burning that solo and then immediately stops playing, and tucks his guitar under his arm with absolutely no emotion. Classic Roy.

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Who the gell is Roy

[@johngilbanni5891]

@@DJK-cq2uy just go on somewhere else if you can’t figure that one out

[@markive9907]

I saw him 3 times live ,he always seemed all business ❤

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Like you know him personally? 1st name basis...gths

[@justinpedalpusher]

@@DJK-cq2uy I never got the chance to meet him but really wish I would have. Some people say he was a little bit standoffish, but he was absolutely one of my favorite players.

[@toddphipps5496]

I am at a loss for words...that is one of the best live video recordings of Merle Haggard and The Strangers just killing it! All the while making it look effortlessly. Roy Nicholas takes the lead ride out of this world, and as someone commented, Roy played that lead, closed it and smoothly tucked his guitar. That's real, that's unbelievable talent, chemistry, and being f#*%&+* great!

[@hankmccartin3119]

and it was fabulous when Merle took the last solo!

[@bradwalsh9122]

Musicians were less over the top and more humble back then.

[@harleykingman]

WOW !!!!!! NOTHING AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING CAN BEAT A FENDER TELECASTER IN THE HANDS OF THE RIGHT PICKER !!!!!!!!!!! U NAILED THAT ROY !!!!!!!!!!

[@mr.wizard2974]

I like the Strat better!

[@thejamnasium6447]

truer words have never been spoken friend

[@123Goldhunter11]

Rumor has it that Jimmy Page used a Telecaster in the studio to play the lead to Stairway To Heaven. As a 71 year old working man - still working - I have a special reverence for Merle Haggard - the working man's poet. RIP Merle.

[@1guitar12]

@@123Goldhunter11 It’s no rumor…it’s fact.

[@DanEBoyd]

@@1guitar12 I've also heard a few other Led Zepplin solos, none of which come to mind right now, which sound like they were done on a Telecaster through the bridge pickup.

[@Buddygold9509]

He always gave his band their solo time. Very respectful.

[@100pianoplayer]

That is so true!! No, steel player blaring away either

[@billhunt4539]

Roy Nichols...one of the greats! He always delivered.

[@Jon-zf3dq]

That guitar solo is otherworldly

[@1Keef]

Merle Haggard playing the second solo while holding a pick and a cigarette is badass! Cool as a cucumber.

[@georgewirick6105]

At least he didn't get burn marks in the head stock like Clapton..lol

[@anelladambrosio2513]

@@georgewirick6105 ciao George!🙋😍😘💘🍀

[@timmcquerry6068]

Hag was a darn good guitarist himself!

[@t4texastom587]

R.I.P Merle Hag Miss Bonnie Roy Tiny AND all the rest of The Strangers that gave us so many years of great music. 🎶🎻🎸🎶

[@guitarman4242]

Roy Nichols- wow that was so special. Digs right in deep and drives light at the same time. One of my top 5 solo's of all time. The irony- ask 99.9 % of the people in the world, and no one will know who he is. Sad. And Merle- need we say more. That's the way I'll always remember him.

[@alasdairwreid]

I know who he is . . . . brilliant!!!

[@DanEBoyd]

Roy only drove on stage. I've read that he contractually specified that he would not drive at all, between shows. He carried his own amps too. I agree with you 100%. Easy top five, and in my ears, puts him right alongside Jimmy Page, and perhaps even Jimi Hendrix. Another thing 'they' never mention is how if Hendrix had never played a guitar, he could've easily made it on, and been widely loved and renowned for, his highly soulful singing! His singing was as right as his playing.

[@guitarman4242]

@@DanEBoyd thanks for your insight. Agree 100%

[@MzKlara]

I love watching Bonnie enjoying the piano players' turn at soloing.

[@davidkeith5377]

Wish they still did songs like this on the radio

[@dannyhenderson5337]

They don't have artist like this on the radio anymore 💯

[@johngilbanni5891]

There’s a ton of classic country stations that stream. I listen to 99.7 The Legend out of somewhere in north Louisiana. I believe it’s around Monroe going by the advertisements.

[@larrysutton925]

Yep most country stations play this red dirt fake country crap...I hate it.

[@flybob63]

People often forget, or never knew, how great a guitar player Hag was. He always gave Roy Nichols his well deserved credit but seems to have never sought it for himself as good as he was at it.

[@chasewebb8550]

He could saw a fiddle too

[@DanEBoyd]

True - but that solo by Roy here, though. What a ripper!!! Jimmy Page would tip his hat to that one! Roy always had the most perfect country string-bends. This rendition would've still gone damn over well with just Merle's solo, but I'm glad Roy's is there too.

[@MzKlara]

@@DanEBoyd I can't figure out how Roy's name got left off the credits at the end.

[@Ryan-mq2mi]

@@DanEBoyd shreds

[@williamwipf1724]

True American talent right here

[@dbrou4450]

There will always be another great singer or songwriter or success story from depths of poverty, but there will NEVER be another Merle Haggard....a man that wrote and sang from his giving heart to sooooo many.

[@mikesmithey1892]

There's a whole bunch of musicians that know their s*** they don't have to answer to nobody one of the greatest country songs ever made

[@VincentVader]

I'd love to see Roy rip it for several minutes. What a player!

[@rpena081965]

Meryle and Roy some bad dudes . Rest in peace you both . No one can hold a candle.

[@DanEBoyd]

Best guitar solo in rock and roll, PERIOD! Yes, I know this is country...

[@Venetiababy1]

It never gets old. A friend of mine approached Merle as he was getting on his bus one time and asked.. "Do you have any advice for a young musician?" And Merel says. . "Yeah..Don't do it!" And them slammed the bus door. .lol!

[@o.k.walters3442]

That solo by Roy Nichols is hotter than a bladder infection.

[@Jon-zf3dq]

One of my favorite solos of all time. Incredible.

[@davidlibolt1264]

O.K. Walters Awesome tone. Pretty sure it’s just guitar- cord- amp. Raw.

[@rosserclark8156]

Do it right and that's all you need.

[@augustineriley5582]

David - unique tone and phrasing by Roy!

[@MrDavidr86]

I would love to know what amp the lead guitarist is using??? Thats pure tube perfection and the way over drive should sound.

[@johnnyx9892]

Love me some tasty Tele licks. Roy is one of the all time greats.

[@phattskis]

I was born in 1965, grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and my late mother grew up in Nashville. She taught me about Hank, Johnny, Waylon, Loretta, and Merle. THIS is country. I don't dog people who listen to the new country, but I just can't get into it. I play a more classic rock and improve style music on my guitars, but can't tell you how many times in a solo I use the hammer-ons and bends that Merle and Roy use in their solos. Hope you all will check out this entire show (just wonderful!) and other stuff by Merle. Amazing!

[@roberttooth360]

You can't go wrong with Merle one of the best singer songwriter performer of all time.

[@MarkColeman-s1v]

It was nice to read all of the replies.

[@hanklogsdon8390]

The one and only Merle Haggard with his band the Strangers. Damn they could all play especially Roy Nichols on lead guitar!

[@smchugh38]

What a piano player Mark Yeary was, phenomenal.

[@DJK-cq2uy]

He taught me how to play a sows ear on a slice of rye

[@wobbitt]

Yes... Very over looked keyboard/piano man for Haggard. A longstay band member and producer too. He passed a while back.

[@Msdrivensoul]

I have loved this song and Merle Haggard for only about 12 yrs. Just love no ads and some real talent !!!

[@linkedup7346]

Now this is a real singer. The clarity of the words and spirit is fabulous. Great (first) Tele Solo Ronnie, Blows some of the greatest Blues players out of the water...

[@laserbeam002]

May Merle R.I.P. He was one of the very best singers/performers this country has every produced. We have lost all the greats. The younger generations have no idea what real music is.

[@SpencerHowe]

So glad I took the time to learn Roy’s solo by ear! Very satisfying to play at tempo.

[@SuperMikado282]

Plagiarist, why didn't you make up your own solo?

[@bsnf-5]

​​@@SuperMikado282 It's a good practice to transcribe solos by ear. That's how any top guitarist learned to play, by listening to the masters of blues or jazz

[@bcmepei]

All the while with a smoke in his hand! What a guy!

[@valientevaliente9473]

and play his guitar😁

[@mariececilelassere]

See and heard just for happyness remember my ”monument countryblues ’ Merle perfect unforgettable countryman and very beautifull man ❤❤❤ RIP sweetly with my heartache forever and admiration in the eternity ❤❤❤👍😭🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻you will be always my heartloving ❤thoughts sincerely respectueuses to merveilleuse Haggardfamily 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉(2023/06/28) 😭❤️

[@alexvernon5659]

Merle at the top of his game. Love it.

[@travishendrix7026]

Never thought i would see the day The Workin Man would be under attack like we are. Thank God for The Hagg. He wrote the best ones.

[@jamescastillo2405]

Great lyrics, And hot guitar solo.

[@c103110a]

Classic - I love how they showcase all the artists' talents!

[@krissteele2661]

I am surprised the fire dept didn t show up this band was smoking hot 😎🇺🇸🎸👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@buckellard]

The credits say Ronnie Reno on guitar but it's obviously Roy Nichols.

[@shaunwebster8360]

Roy was hands down the best guitar picker

[@dirkevans3443]

2024 & still miss Merle Th’ Hag Was The Man!!!!!

[@18gabbanelliplayer]

Man, holding that cigarette with style while he playing what a badass🤠

[@monsieurbojangles2336]

That's awesome! Didn't even notice at first.

[@backbay2242]

I didn't realize Merle was such a good picker himself.

[@rexhargrove5172]

This man is the epitome of my life

[@sonsofguns1903]

I know that this is a James Burton lick, but Roy Nichols lays it down really hard and then just stops. You got to be pretty badass to drop a hot lick at the drop of a hat. Country Pickers!!

[@johngilbanni5891]

And he goes right back to doing nothing, as if he didn’t just do all of that

[@MichailZacho]

An Incredible Version of this Great Song of The Working Man all over the world!!

[@elsieadams707]

That is very good music the best i grew up listening to all this music

[@roblogan2k2]

The best. No one even close. Miss you, Merle.

[@woxnerw]

Thank You BAND for your Country BLUES..

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

One of the greatest voices

[@arh948]

You're not going to see that in today's society, holding a cigarette on stage playing guitar. That's awesome. RIP MIGHTY MERLE

[@DanEBoyd]

Today they probably pay someone to pre-wear the pattern of a Skoal tin into the pockets of their wardrobe...🙄

[@jaygatsby1]

Geez the band was tight that night. Full of world class musicians so not surprising I guess.

[@rickredmond9847]

It DON'T get no better.

[@philippeachourite5642]

merle i listening you from france!!!! RIP man!!!

[@sylvialobland4430]

Yep he was for the working man for sure, I love this man..may he be RIP

[@DJK-cq2uy]

I think he was an electrician n trucker in Bakersfield when he got released.

[@everettnorris4470]

You're my hero Roy! I've been trying to figure out your stuff for years!

[@davidbaugus2703]

Lord have Mercy, I Love me Some Merle!

[@stephenalexander2025]

all you have to do is just open the app and listen and enjoy!!

[@tekumete]

Real country there ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@HERESJOHNNY-ek4wk]

Are you kidding me Roy on fire The guy just melted the floor 360

[@Msdrivensoul]

Why do I like this so much? I’m 57

[@stevetellurian1280]

that lead guitar solo LOVELY!!

[@tekumete]

Always love you Sir, LEGEND ❤️❤️❤️ REAL COUNTRY HERE LADIES AND GENTLEMAN

[@Corporations8MyBaby]

Go Roy, go!

[@theresaheyer537]

and everybody got a spotlight moment.....love these guys..

[@yohohoho7675]

In my book thats about a good a lead telecaster sound as there ever was! Red Hot.

[@1953onder]

Legend

[@chip308]

Getting Dickie Betts vibes from the lead guitar playing, love it!

[@nathenarnce2141]

I love it

[@MJ-cf8dy]

1:58 Ralph Mooney style steel lick is awesome.

[@rodramsey1841]

I always loved Roy's playing. However, when Merle recorded the song, he used James Burton, so that phenomenal solo on the Record is James. I have played it many many times over the years but never quite as good as James. Listen to the recording to hear James.

[@joecavazos1786]

Not surprising. James is one of the best. Just ask Elvis or Ricky Nelson.

[@christopherchubb954]

Jerry Lee Lewis had the good sense to snag James Burton for his band too.

[@anelladambrosio2513]

​@@christopherchubb954ciao Christopher!🙋😍😘💘🍀

[@dewaynehastings3191]

Notice they don’t have a dance team to perform? Their talent is the entertainment. Today’s artists would fold if they tried it this way.

[@bassflyer]

I just saw Norm, the steel player, playing locally a few weekends ago...

[@rockinredneck57]

Norm is still touring and playing with Mario Carboni, mostly West Coast, and in Alaska quite a bit. He just turned 89.

[@theresaheyer537]

best musicians ever!!!!😍

[@stevedale2978]

3:09.... Merle can play!

[@CraigHammes-f9m]

Roy mak 3:17 es an amazing guitar solo look so easy. And Merle does s good job too !!

[@kevinbolick2349]

That Roy Nichols solo slays! Good grief that’s so good. I think I know where Dicky got that lick from, or maybe it’s the other way around?

[@CraigHammes-f9m]

Roy is the man !!

[@docholiday3424]

Who is the piano player...no slouch!!!

[@jamesbruce8749]

Merle to cool for school, didn't even put down his smoke.

[@jackhopkins4679]

Wouldn't you love to have that old telecaster Merles playin

[@williamwipf1724]

Anyone else watching merle on Christmas Eve of 2022

[@mikehiers]

What a soaring lead run by Roy at 1:47 for thirty amazing seconds!

[@zachhoague2307]

Real country! New artist maybe are Tyler Childers, sturgill Simpson, billy strings, and Zach Bryan. Let me know of more if you know.

[@tekumete]

Hee haw ❤️

[@stivlucavincent174]

The Best.

[@vincesarmento4854]

Great song and video!

[@Ryan-mq2mi]

Hey, does anyone know if Roy always sat down and played, and why? Is it simply that’s the way he learn to play and he’s comfortable, or is there some other reason? I know Merle was hard on his bandmembers. I’m sure he gave Roy a pastor, because of how good he was, and how lucky merle was to have him.

[@keithgoldberg2298]

Can you pick a country solo and hold a cig with your picking hand at the same time??!

[@valientevaliente9473]

only MERLE CAN DO.

[@dekelanson5280]

I like you can see Gordon Terry's finger pointing at Roy during his solo so the audience will applaud.

[@Vintage1976]

Mark Yeary laying down some chops on that piano as well.

[@chesterkirkpatrick2998]

Check out Hags blackgaurd! Damn that's cool as it gets

[@tekumete]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Is that fiddle player from Wisconsin? I sense lotsa cheese in that stache!!!

[@Unit38]

Today the song would be, I'll sip my latte at Starbucks and commiserate with my fellow working persons.

[@marcelabouzova4833]

very bneautiful

[@davidgrundysr7131]

Love how the leaf guitarist just ends it and looks up.

[@Gratefulman1965]

The guitar Merle is playing in this video is now the guitar that his son Ben repurposed and now plays regularly with Merle’s name carved into the top along with Kris Kristofferson’s.

[@margaretsharbono2218]

Ii was so glad to see this. I have been upset with Ben for not using His Dad's Guitar. Thank You..

[@chrishestermagic]

Look's like totally different wood grain on Ben's but he still has several of their old tele's including one of Roy's.

[@johngilbanni5891]

@@chrishestermagic that’d be a collection to see…

[@nathenarnce2141]

💓

[@joshuabiddix2923]

Hag never got much credit for his guitar abilities.

[@wobbitt]

You left out Norman Hamlet peddle steel guitar, Roy Nichols lead guitar, Mark Yeary, piano and Don Markham horns...

[@thejamnasium6447]

god this is good