The Hag Smoked A Lot Of Weed -Kenny Vaughan

Kenny Vaughan remembers Merle Haggard. Kenny was nice enough to share some stories about being around Merle Haggard throughout the years.
Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel.
paypal.me/otisgibbs?locale.x=...
www.venmo.com/OtisGibbs​​​​​
otisgibbs.com/​​​​​
Listen to me on Spotify
open.spotify.com/artist/28Arv....
Download my music on Bandcamp
otisgibbs.bandcamp.com/​​​​​​
/ otisgibbs​​​​​​
/ otisgibbsmus...​
/ otisgibbs​​​​​​
.............................
Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard Stories
Merle Haggard Story
Kenny Vaughan
Marty Stuart
The Hag

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Merle Haggard song? There are too many to choose from, but I never get tired of Misery And Gin, If We Make It Through December, Daddy Frank The Guitar Man and I really dig his version of If I Could Only Fly. What are your favorites?

[@jimgroff6880]

Mama Tried

[@st1buchanan698]

The Way I Am . Misery and Gin is a close second.

[@rustybeltway2373]

The Running Kind. There's a video of Marty and Kenny doing it on the TV show. They kill on back to back solos. Marty nails the vocal.

[@j.d.stephens3391]

Thanks Otis, now I'll spend my day listening to the Hag. Leonard and In My Next Life probably top my list, but there are no bad ones. Stay safe!

[@jasonadams371]

Can't pick a favorite there isn't a bad Haggard song

[@darlagehres8479]

Growing up in Bakersfield, going to school with the Buck Owen's kids & knowing Merle and his band during the late 60's & 70's, I could tell you some funny stories. My Mom became Merle's confidant during his struggle days. Merle considered her a true friend. Mom never told me what they talked about, but she always said, he sure gets tired of the attention. He was just a great poet of music and loved to play guitar. Oh those memories. Wonderful & sad at the same time. 🎶💙

[@David-uo1ef]

Kenny knows how to just tell a story in a great way. He's a natural and honest

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

I recall Hag passing right around the same time as David Bowie and Prince -- I would try to explain to my friends Merle was at least as important as those guys. To me -- far more. Offhand favorite song -- either "That's the Way Love Goes" or "Are the Good Times Really Over?"

[@alleyoop9099]

Agree with your comments.

[@karlyoung5089]

Far more important than those guys in my book. Haggard was the man.

[@missesmew]

I can’t listen to “That’s the way love goes “ without crying. The melody and sorrow in the Hag’s voice just melts me.

[@jackshannonmusic7564]

“I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall”

[@dalehutchins7283]

I once picked up Merle on IH35 near Waco. 1977 or 78. He was broke down in an old pick up truck. Didn't realize it was him for awhile. We stopped and got a 6-pack of Pearl beer, cashier recognized him, we didn't have to pay. Drove him to Dallas, dropped him off.

[@WN_Byers]

Incredible

[@paulreed2642]

Lmao 🤣

[@kipwright148]

I saw Merle along with Bonnie in Dekalb Texas at the rodeo arena around 1981. I was 17 with my girlfriend. Best seats at a concert I’ve ever had. I remember Bonnie started the chorus a little early on one song. Merle said “ hold on Bonnie” as if that was part of the song and never missed a beat. I remember people where yelling “ bring in the Hag” etc. Wade Terrell and the Drifters opened. This was back when people were free to drink and smoke in public lol...Was a rainy night, ate at the sonic afterwards. I’m rambling as these memories come back.

[@Burnzy1976]

Brother, I wish I was there...

[@GAMBINOBILL]

Kenny is one of the coolest and nicest guys ever. Thanks for sharing!

[@otisgibbs]

Definitely!

[@martywright7836]

had a customer who worked a table at a Vegas casino. In the 70's he was off his shift and was having a drink at the bar when a guy sat down next to him. He looked over and saw it was the Hag. After a little small talk he said to Merle, "aren't you supposed to be upstairs?" Merle responded "Fuck em, they can't start until I get there and I ain't ready yet."

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks for this, Marty!

[@carlosford1226]

Well this one made my day. Now I can walk out with a smile on my face. - My own Merle story: years ago had tickets, good up front seating at an amphitheater. Delayed at work so I was late. They were out of wrist bands that allowed access to my seat so they routed me through a side entrance. I entered directly in front of stage and looked up just as Merle took the stage, he was also late. He looked down at me with a big smile and nodded hi to me as I did to him. It was almost like shaking hands. Anyway, that's my Merle story. Depending on his mood he could be prickly but he was in great spirit that day. Him and John Prine my two favorite people in music and I sorely miss them both.

[@Haggard-100]

Merle is the reason I decided to play music full time in Australia . I love his voice and his lyrics .

[@emjayemjayhawk]

I sing Mama Tried at my kids when they insist on ignoring my advice. It doesn't work, but makes me feel better. I love My Favorite Memory and If We Make it Through December and so many others, too.

[@laurenblainebamartistmgt]

Otis. I sure appreciate all of these stories and your efforts to preserve the history of this great, creative business. They should end up in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Lauren!

[@artemisXsidecross]

Lauren, I totally agree, Otis is talented in ore ways than his music writing and performance. :)

[@laurenblainebamartistmgt]

@@otisgibbs - Ooops! Didn't see your response til now. You're more than welcome. I really think a book would sell, too.

[@laurenblainebamartistmgt]

@@artemisXsidecross - Indeed. Great storyteller in both media.

[@irongoatrocky2343]

as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's i never cared for Merle Haggard......but as I grew older i realized that the songs merle sang were about the life of a common man! and came to love him and watching him perform......he is missed very much..........God rest his soul

[@AshdenMurphyMusic]

He's iconic but his voice isn't really that great, it's the song writing that made him good

[@brucegwynn8509]

You keep all of us guys in our 50s feeling young and smiling at these stories otis, thank you

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Bruce!

[@cedarshoals529]

And guys in their 60s too.

[@mairianncullen8753]

Also some of us gals is our 50s 😘

[@jesseharradine9861]

And some of us guys in their 30s

[@stratocaster1greg]

A lot of my heros are musicians. Thanks Otis.

[@leeinoregon1326]

Kenny is my favorite of all the storytellers you've had.

[@kennethgroves6433]

I smoked with MERLE AT LAKE SHASTA in the 70's and he inspired me to learn all his songs which I sing to this day, WHAT A GREAT MAN

[@johnhardin6416]

I love anything Merle Haggard, so this really made my day. I would have to say my favorite Haggard song is My Favorite Memory and If I Could Only Fly.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, John!

[@maryuline2585]

Grew up with Zeppelin, The Stones, Doors, etc., etc, yet love Marty Stuart and lots of Country music. Kenny is always a great interview, and I love to hear the back stories!!

[@otisgibbs]

Loretta Lynn once said, Today I Started Loving You Again is the greatest country song ever written. It wouldn't be my first choice, but Loretta knows a thing or two about country songs, so I'm gonna take her word for it.

[@paulnicolosi4792]

It’s a very sad song, even sadder than the Macarena...

[@marccohen4571]

I'm so lonesome I could cry is pretty hard to beat. But that is a great song

[@otisgibbs]

@@marccohen4571 Thank you, Marc!

[@marccohen4571]

Otis, I am curious of your opinion. I think most folks think George Jones has the greatest voice in the history of country music. Do you think anyone can touch him?

[@marccohen4571]

@@johnrunion5357 very close on our lists. Nobody could touch George Jones on singing alone. If you include song-writing, guitar etc that is a different story. Then it is Waylon and Merle. But voice my god George will never be touched. Lefty is closest in my opinion

[@randyjones7818]

Great interview..Merle haggard is my hero..nobody sings country songs better...his music lives on...he and buck and Don rich were the best ever..I like the interview with kenny..he's a great player also..r

[@deadk133]

These are some great stories about Merle! I always feel lucky that I got to shake his hand and briefly say hello to him back in 2008. This was the Ray Price, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson tour. They all played individual songs and sets, but they all shared the stage for more than a few songs too, and of course Merle and his band were playing Okie From Muskogee when Willie first took the stage (we don't smoke marijuana). They all were in top form and having a lot of fun up there. I was sitting by myself in the front row; a long haired late 20-something in a crowd of people averaging over 60, so Merle gave me a sort of curious look at one point during the show. Either way, it is one of my great music memories and I still feel very lucky to see three legends having fun together so close.

[@otisgibbs]

That's beautiful! : )

[@expertadvice4u]

I guess they do smoke a little marijuana in muskogee

[@otisgibbs]

This would have been a much better title and I'm bummed I didn't think of it, Michael. : )

[@expertadvice4u]

@@otisgibbs feel free to take it. Lol. I had just been listening to that last night.

[@jasonalper9667]

He famously said once,”Muskogee is about the only place I don’t smoke weed.”.

[@fortunatoofamontillado1059]

the irony!!

[@waynation9142]

@@jasonalper9667 There is a really funny interview where he's laughing with the host "Yeah, I don't spend a lot of time in Muskogee".

[@theresaheyer537]

mr HAGGARD lets the music MOVE him......true blue eyed soul,he's the man with heart.a National treasure alright and he had the best strangers ever,multifaceted and multi dimensional before the rest of us.

[@stratocaster1greg]

The Scruggs name brings a memory of a kid I used to play guitars with. His Mom was a niece of one of the guys from Lester Flat and Earl Scruggs. One of these gents apparently gave their niece an old Fender guitar. This was around 79 that I saw it. Gary had sanded it down and unwound the coils on the pickup. Even at 15 I knew he messed up. The neck pocket and neck heel had writing in pencil from the 50s. I somehow knew that writing was a big deal. He offered to trade me guitars. I worked my butt off running a sandblaster to pay for my Gibson SG. And he had rendered his guitar unplayable. I kept my guitar but knew he had something. It ended up at Nashville Sound then a trucker bought it and had it redone. He will remain nameless here. Years later I see the trucker and tell him to go see Garys Mom for a provenance letter. I told him where she lived and her name. The guitar I think was an old Broadcaster. Hearing the Scruggs name shook loose this faded memory.

[@rogerlawson4516]

Working Man Blues is absolutely my favorite song. Mr Roy Nichols is my favorite guitar player and Hag is my favorite country singer. I think the question should be,what Hag song you do not like. Hell, I like them all. I was lucky enough to get to talk with Roy Nichols at the Cheetah Ball Room, Chicago Illinois in March 1973 for about an hour. I was 19 YOA and Roy was kind enough to talk guitars and tones with me.

[@marcusclements3370]

There’s so many. Off the top of my head; ‘Somebody Else You’ve Known’….’Please Mr DJ’. What a great songwriter.

[@kyleperry3748]

Merle Haggard was the first concert me and my wife (girl friend at the time) attended together in Stockton Ca 5 years ago. One hell of a show Merle and the band played. A true legend! Working man's blues is my absolute favorite of Haggard's

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Kyle!

[@normandodson5079]

Love KV’s stories. He’s very respectful of the people he’s played with.

[@TheYankeedude]

I was lucky enough to meet Merle the first time I saw him in concert and one other time he allowed me to photograph one of his shows. I stood at the side of the stage behind the curtain as he climbed the stairs to the stage. They gave me full access for the show. At the end of the show I found myself back behind the curtain at the side of the stage and I followed him out of the backstage door. That moment seemed so surreal watching that great man leave the building. He was the best!

[@4425evergreen]

Good stuff. This is what KZbin is for… good people sharing real stories about this crazy trip we are all on. You take care.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@washingtonbob49]

I remember my sophomore year in college I would go down to the local "railroader's" cafe and get the "special" and fill the jukebox with Merle's songs for my lunch break. This cafe was mostly the place where the retired railroaders in our town would hang out... I always got a nod or a thumb's up from those old boys...well hell...it was frinkin' Merle'. Thank you so much Otis for this tribute.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Bob!

[@charlesbryant870]

Just learned to play Misery and Gin. What a heart breaking classic.

[@justspeakingmymind7224]

Nice brother thats my #3 favorite Hag song!

[@robertryan2542]

I loved hearing this. From Ireland 🇮🇪

[@nono492.]

Otis this show is the best Kenny Vaughan is one of my favorites ,he is right up there with the best ,and seems to come off as a genuine guy ,your shows are the best ,I’m a guitar player And tele lover ,keep ‘em coming friend ,peace✌️ Jerry

[@patotmaster7747]

I Take a Lot of Pride In What I Am, Big City, Working Man Blues, Sing Me Back Home, Mama Tried, Branded Man, Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink right off the top of my head..

[@donjohnson5625]

Merle haggard loved that Loud , from when he woke up till he went to sleep, hell yeah, Who knew. Wow. ! Love him!! 💕❤️💙RIP brother.

[@jwilliams4052]

As I mentioned to you earlier, Otis, I have a one-room schoolhouse in Northern Michigan. Right down the road in East Jordan, Merle Haggard played in their huge line dance hall. The first thing he says to the audience is "you folks sure have beautiful country up here in Canada". We loved him!

[@donscott763]

Mr. Vaughn needs to write a book.

[@kevincook8268]

Grew up listening to Merle I remember my dad singing his songs while he was bustling about so Merle's music kept me in memory of my happy days in my life.I later grew up singing in church and he influenced my singing and Gospel songwriting, I guess my favorite is Lady I know your out ther somewhere, like me your felling lost,lady I know your out there somewhere, but our paths may never cross. Love these ole stories about My hero Merle Haggard.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Kevin!

[@bvcxz47]

I went to a Willie Nelson concert it was a cocktail show the last show of the night. about halfway through I noticed two people in the wings over on left stage. it was dark so you couldn't tell who it was one of them lit a joint and they started passing it back and forth they burned it down to nothing the fire went out and one of the guys walked out on stage and it was Merle Haggard. He had his guitar plugged it into an amp and started playing .this happened in Nevada .Asleep at the wheel was also playing in town so they showed up too. they played really late that night. best concert ever.!!!!!! that's when I knew for a fact Merle smoked pot.

[@otisgibbs]

That's tremendous, Jack!

[@SaulTDawg]

Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash were the two most influential artists of my early days of learning to play the guitar. I tell people all the time that those are the two people who taught me to play the guitar. After I learned the 8 basic chords my grand dad said the best way to learn way to play along with records, and my dad had a bunch of each. I love any song those two sang both were great story tellers, but Mama Tried was one of the first Hag songs that I played in public.

[@charger19691]

When I was a kid I learned the words to “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”. (First song I learned the words to of Merle’s) I thought Merle Haggard was a perfect country artist then and still do till this day. Merle can never be replaced, he was the definition of a perfect country singer to me. I have one of Kenny Vaughn’s albums, a tremendous talent and he’s a member of the Fabulous Superlatives with the incredible Marty Stuart. Otis, please I have a request, please do a video on Marty Stuart. I don’t think the man gets nearly enough respect he deserves. The man lives and breathes Country Music.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Danny!

[@jimbo33]

A video of Kenny Vaughn would be cool also! Thanks for all the great stories Otis! Love your site!

[@walterkersting6238]

I too learned a lot of drinking songs when I was young, drank a lot more than I should’ve before I finally quit… Vomiting Jack Daniels, that was my low point.

[@Burnzy1976]

What a life that man lived... Merle Haggard is life music! RIP LEGEND

[@jeffd3660]

Hahaha .... I love these " Kenny " stories , nobody tells a story like Kenny 👍 👍👍😄

[@ENigma-um8zw]

Surprisingly this is what many ''Okie’s From Muskogee'' don’t get about 'Okie From Muskogee', it’s actually a biting double edged satire and parody of stagnant deaf and blind patriotism and jingoism. Merle was more of a hippie than he was a hippie hater, something that went over the heads of his older fanbase over the years. So grateful I got to see him and Willie Nelson play and open some shows for Dylan in the early 00s. A live concert memory treasure indeed.

[@SaulTDawg]

Hag was an America first kind of guy. Yes Okie from Muskogee was partially a satire but the Hag believed in American values. In the 90s one of the last songs that he had out on the Radio was "Only me and crippled Soldiers give a Damn". Hell almost any song that he sings states that although he is for the little guy and justice he still appreciated what America had to offer. These younger artists could learn something from the Hag..

[@KiwiFilmAIRCCS]

Gosh Darnn Right!

[@55vermeer]

@@SaulTDawg "although he is for the little guy and justice he still appreciated what America had to offer" I'm glad you separated those two things, which is correct.

[@paulporto1318]

I always liked the song..... and the so-called spoof “Up against the Wall....”.by Jerry Jeff Walker

[@KiwiFilmAIRCCS]

Actually Sir, Merle Haggard was a Patriot,who initially despised hippy bullshit,drug culture and the rejection of Traditional American Values and a Strong Military. Merle also carried guilt about being a abused teen in California state prison system..and considered himself uneducated and not entitled to verbally oppose when he encountered people who had opposing views of the Vietnam war and the Great USA! If you said to him that you served in Vietnam and loved victor charles and the communists over American troops and keeping the world Free... He would get uncomfortable and start apologizing for his songs because he would say that ,”he hadn’t served over there ...and say he must of misunderstood the war! He didn’t get it wrong he was just embarrassed to tell the vet to bugger off!!...(Look for ART BELL interview from 2000) As he got older Willie and Cast...chastised him about his aversion to drugs and pressured him to lighten up about drugs...The Dope culture and Hangers-on,Led to Merles lungs being ruined by DOPE smoke and ushered him to heaven faster.., f-hippies and Druggies! God Bless Okee!!🇺🇸🇦🇺🎖

[@leescazighini4025]

Kenny Vaughan is one of the coolest cat's ever.

[@johnkincaid6073]

I love Merle anything ! Thanks Otis !!!

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, John!

[@softailspringer9915]

Following a show in Worcester MA my buddy followed Merle’s bus to a Holiday Inn. He went into the bar and found the whole band in there having drinks. He fell into drinking with them and they told him to stick around, that Merle would be coming down for a drink. Well, Merle came down and was introduced to my pal, Fred. As the bar was closing Merle invited Fred up to his room where the band was gathering to continue the party. He said Merle plopped a big ol bag of weed on the bed and proceeded to roll joints. Everyone got stoned and Merle began to play his guitar and sing. Gradually everyone fell asleep except for Merle and Fred. Merle played songs for Fred til 3 in the morning. Fred was quite a good singer and songwriter himself and that night he had an experience he would never forget.

[@TheOldYellers]

Misery and Gin is a definite favorite. I love the Jimmy Rodgers Recording with Hag in brakeman outfit on train. But there’s just too many songs I love.

[@mcwilliams4546]

A great conversation about one of my music heroes, told by another one of my music heroes. The Hag was great, and cousin Kenny is awesome too. Thank you for sharing.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@vootee1]

Cats are cracking me up, Otis! Bless 'em. Nice touch. And great chat with Keny Vaughan. Very forthcoming. All these riches much appreciated .

[@frankapplegate4852]

You’ve done it again. Merle is another favorite of mine. There are people who write and sing what’s in your heart but you didn’t have the words to say it for yourself. Merle was one of those guys for me.

[@sartainja]

My favorite Merle Haggard song is Silver Wings since it so easy to play and sing; it is the perfect example of a Merle song.

[@martymarion7500]

Merle Haggard my favorite singer songwriter, picking my favorite Merle song that would be like picking my favorite child. Thanks for posting these stories.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Marty!

[@tommywood343]

There are so many great song's by merle. The song my favorite memory of all. When things are good. Thanks merle for all the great song's

[@randysiler7458]

Had the opportunity to see him three or four times growing up in Texas. 👍👍

[@Shakeyleg]

Thank you for posting this. I always love to hear these stories and they continue to reinforce the fact that Hag was just another man like the rest of us. He wasn’t common but he sure made us feel like he was one of us.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@bushybottom]

As Merle told Bill Maher, "I am seldom in Muskogee."

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Jimmy!

[@tommywood343]

I love stories about the Hag hey hey. R.I.P merle Haggard 🇺🇸🎤🎶🎵

[@pennysimmons841]

This one was my favorite one so far. I’m a little older than husband and in the beginning he told me that it was important that I liked real country music , I said ok, and his friend had given him a box set of cassettes of Waylon, Haggard and the 3ed one had Hank Lefty and some other greats. Well he was so intense and wanted me to pay attention to the words, I said ok, so I listened and he watched me and about the 5th song he just got all silly and turned red he said, I’ve never met anyone who knew every word to every song, you know them all don’t you? I said yes, yes I do.... he cracked me up 🥰the music had been the background to my entire life....

[@otisgibbs]

That's hilarious, Penny! : )

[@Lowtech14]

I saw him on his last tour at the Canyon Club, Agoura Hills, CA. He said hello Malibu!! And that he was surprised how many country fans were in Malibu! The show was sold out, the house was packed, and Malibu is the next town over. Good times

[@scottbaxendale323]

Haggard was the greatest of his generation! He could play any instrument and wrote the best songs.

[@otisgibbs]

Hey Scott, I'm a fan of your work, so it's good to see you here! I hosted a show on Pandora and we filmed a DBT session at their rehearsal space a few years ago. They kept telling me about you and your work and saying nice things. I went down the rabbit hole after that and became a fan. I have a 50s Kay Super Jumbo that belonged to my grandfather that I'd like to have you work on one day. It's been a back burner project for a while. I should get that taken care of sometime soon. : )

[@scottbaxendale323]

@@otisgibbs Please send it to us! We will turn it into a world class tone monster!

[@darrell3368]

Ottis I love all off The Haggard song and Ottis when I get back to work later on I will start help supporting you work. I love this story you have I will get information on how to send you a little help I don’t do cards. Ps Gods blessings for you and your family

[@otisgibbs]

Don't sweat it too much, Darrell. It all works itself out in the end. I'm just glad you're digging the channel. : )

[@charliemontgomery2548]

Love all the classic stories. I moved to Franklin TN recently and I love the musical history it and the entire Nashville area has to offer. Bottle let me down is a hard one to beat.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Charlie!

[@PLINKER]

My favorite Merle Album was "Same train different time" where Merle made the old Jimmie Rodgers tunes sound so wonderful. The backup music was absolutely great with Norman Hamlet on the dobro for the old time sounds and Merle doing the guitar and vocals on those great tunes. He had great musicians on this album. I have almost run the needle through the albums. I love it so much! Thanks Kenny for this important video!

[@kentbeery4941]

Thank you for this i was blessed to meet Merle one time he treated me like Family i will never forget it nor will i never forget him......

[@hagnewton4255]

Great story! I saw Merle Haggard at the Bakersfield Civic auditorium on the George Dickel sponsored tour in 1988. We used to drive by his house at the mouth of the Kern River Canyon. Hags place!

[@lbshore]

I saw Merle Haggard the first time around 1969 when I was still in high school and already hippified. We always took Okie From Muskogee in the spirit we knew he had written it in and sure enough when he played the song and sang the line "we don't make a party out of loving" somebody in the band (can't remember who) leaned into his mic with a big smile and said "we damn sure do!" and cracked everybody in the house up. 😊 All these years later, what a memory. What a show. I got to interview him once. What a thrill. think Merle was the GOAT. Favorite songs? Sing Me Back Home... Lonesome Fugitive.. Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down... Mama Tried... How do you decide? Love these. Thank you.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@jeffcrist2977]

I could listen to these conversations all day. Thanks for doing this.

[@johnnyward1032]

The world without Merle is so much colder. The only time I cry over someone I never met. Thank you Otis.

[@chrisbrowning6102]

Great stories. I like "Swinging Doors" and "It's All in the Movies".

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Chris!

[@brucegwynn8509]

I love if we don't make it through December, great song

[@MrMarkar1959]

Bigger than a mountain was His voice,,A person that cared could tell right off. Heaven's bar room getting crowded. Smokin' & Drinkin' still a choice.,,,Reckon I have the same as Him👈🏼. Thanks again for the Memories and awesome story! stay safe and time to hug my guitar.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@johnchristensen6272]

Otis, you have a great feel for making a memory magical. I never met Merle but I met his daughter in Las Vegas 1996. Great gal and she was a spittin' image of her dad and had stories to tell.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, John!

[@irvingr.fatback886]

Did she have facial hair?

[@mrwho2118]

This is why we tune in to your videos Otis, these little peeks behind the scenes that us fans rarely get to see or hear otherwise, our heroes are human

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@wademarlar9616]

Merle haggard was the best my favorite was rolling down hill like a snowball headed for hell . I’ve gave live that life myself

[@joyceb.sachsesachse1242]

HI OTIS , LOVE KENNY ALWAYS , PERSONALITY PLUS AND A GREAT STORY TELLER A REAL GUY.....LUV YA OTIS . HOLD FAST AND KEEP ON KEEPPIN ON.......

[@bretthamilton7308]

'The Fugitive', 'Sing me back home' 'Rambling fever' so many. I had tickets to see Son Volt on the wide swing tremolo tour at Tipitinas then I found out Merle was playing cross town at the HOB. I didn't think I could make both shows so I stuck with Son Volt. Son volt came on late because they were at the Merle Haggard show in the audience.I never got to see Merle Haggard live. Looking for a place to fall apart' just knocks me over. Btw, Kenny's band, Marty Stuart and the Superlatives are unbelievable.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Brett!

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

Hi Otis from Yuma,AZ. Thank you for that recording. An interesting tape.

[@jnholland006]

Man that touched my heart! I love the Hag! I was fortunate enough to have seen him in Atlanta at the Masquerade in ‘13 ! He was everything I hoped he’d be! RIP MRH

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@twangnut2067]

You rock Otis! Those Kenny Vaughan stories are far out!

[@andrewnorris1514]

Kenny Vaughn has an infectious laugh. A GREAT STORY TELLER

[@SingleTree57]

thanks again Otis, I attended Merles Vinue at Pikes Peak Convention Center latter part of September 2015. He was having trouble Breathing but put on an Excellent short Show as Noel, Ben and Norm played the majority of the Vinue. A Memory I will Treasure to the End.

[@SingleTree57]

I figured that would be my last opportunity to See him Do what he loved Most.

[@randypedigo9913]

I NEVER HEARD OF THE SMOKEING PART BUT BACK IN THE 80S AND 90S THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING AROUND THAT WAAS POPULAR EVERYBODY LOVED..FAV SONG GRAMMAS MAIDEN NAME.RIP HAG

[@RandyH400]

Favorite is I'm So tired of it all. Thanks again for your posts. Please don't stop such great stories about great artists. Thanks again

[@disposablehero4911]

Merle the greatest country music singer ever imo, was at his best when he was with Roy Nichols, those two were the best sound in country music history.

[@jamesblair5971]

Some of the best shows I ever saw was Merle Haggard my God what a player and singer. I saw Merle play rodeos and open for Bob Dylan play Billy Bobs in Fort Worth multiple times. He seemed to really kick it into a different gear at a place like Billy Bobs. He must’ve felt comfortable in the Honky Tonks. RIP MAESTRO!!!

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, James!

[@rogerbean6442]

Merle, the working man's poet. Too many great songs to list but The way I am, that's the way love goes, sing me back home, branded man are a few of my favorites.

[@GySgt_USMC_Ret.]

Howdy, Otis! Thanks for the video. I lived in East Nashville for awhile as a kid. Hung out with the picker community for a few years. Lots of memories. Getting homesick. Fair winds and following seas to all.

[@joelsmith8773]

I love what you share with us Otis. It goes without saying that Kenny is a phenomenal guitarist. I met him once and he is one of the nicest people I've ever met. I'm still ashamed of that night. I fell off the wagon I was on.

[@otisgibbs]

It's never too late to get back on the wagon, Joel. You can do it! : )

[@mertonwhitney3577]

God bless him,we really miss him.

[@tyrellhemmis]

Love those old stories. Just like when you hear old stories of your grandparents raising hell back in the day!

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Tyrell!

[@TheOldYellers]

Merle is my number one. Love his singing, his songs and his guitar playing. Was lucky enough to see him in a double bill with Bob Dylan in a small college venue. It was fantastic show. Also got to meet and have dinner with his two sons via a mutual friend and it was really nice. Felt an honor.

[@otisgibbs]

That had to have been great!

[@TheOldYellers]

@@otisgibbs it was great both the Dylan haggard show and having dinner with his sons. Actually the dinner was on the night I got to meet Kristofferson which we discussed previously. They were part of his backing band. A friend of the Old Yellers who recently passed from lung cancer used to work for Merle and knew him and his family well. It was a real great honor to meet some of musics great royalty.

[@otisgibbs]

@@TheOldYellers I'm sorry to hear about your friend passing. There's too much of that going around these days.

[@Quanddidoz]

We blaze in Bakersfield, just the common thing even for country folk hahaha dont know nuthin bout no muskogee lol but down here where merle is actually from in oildale weed is everwhere

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@JordanSheppardMusic]

Thanks for what you do man.

[@vincedugar4840]

Two of my favorites from his later cannon of works are "Kern River" (1985) and his cover rendition of "So Tired of It All" (1997) which are gut deep timeless ballads.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Vince!

[@jeffstuart6420]

Kern River is fantastic!

[@randyheath8566]

I Love every song The Hagg ever sang and always will. This music today is totally screwed up and couldn't never take the place of the REAL Music that I grew up on. REAL Music will never die. Thank you for the Stories Vince, your a Stupendous Musician also. Love your STYLE. Rest in Peace Mr Haggard 🙏

[@donbabinski4800]

Touching reminiscences. Thanks to Mr. Vaughan for sharing such personal history. RIP Hag.

[@jimmyshadden6236]

We got our first television in 1958 and live in the middle of a grape vineyard just east of Lamont California. I think Daddy bougbt that tv just so he could watch the Cousin Herb show. That's were I was introduced to Buck, Bonnie, Fuzzy, Merle and country music....

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Jimmy!

[@russtietje294]

Saw Merle at snoqualmie casino in Washington- his kids were his band- He introduced them as “this is the oldest from the first litter! This is youngest from 2nd litter etc.!! Got a big laugh & it was great seeing a legend up close!!