Merle Haggard was born on April 6th, 1937 and died on April 6th, 2016. I wrote this song on April 6th, 2016 and release it on April 6th, 2020. I was very upset when I heard the news that he had passed away on the radio. That evening, me and a bottle of brandy wrote this tribute song about his life. I knew alot about him and wrote it in a couple of hours while shedding a few tears along the way. The next day, I fact checked myself from different sources on the web and I had it all right. I sat on it for awhile because I didn't know what to do with it. As I have listened to it over the past few years I figured out that one of the top honors a fellow could ever get would be to have a bigraphical song writen about his life. So with much respect, here's to The Hag!
….and so this is a brief story of a reluctant musician that has found himself in the music industry it would appear.
From ever since that I can remember I sang with my mom, my aunt, my grandmother and just my whole family. From the time that I could talk; I sang. I remember loving Elvis Albums as a child. Later on it was John Denver, Jimmy Buffett & Paul McCartney to name a few. I have always been a fan of singer/songwriters. I realize that Elvis didn’t write his own music, but who doesn’t like Elvis.
Later on I was one of 3 or 4 boys who sang 3rd soprano in front of the high school choir while I was in grade school. We were the finale when we hit our high notes. We had no idea what we were doing, but we were good! That was my 1st public performances as I recall. Funny how life events do seem to move in circles.
On to high school. I was kicked out of choir because I was a rebel and much too cool to sing. I was very shy about music for many years. That was for sissies. I used to try to confuse the choir director by singing with the other sections in the middle of my section. You could see her head turn sideways trying to figure out what was going on. After high school I did apologize to her and we hugged. She forgave me, I think.
Moving on to college I found myself rooming with a musical artist that played guitar, drums, keyboard, and other instruments as well. He introduced me to Pink Floyd too. He taught me how to play. I picked it up quickly. My 1st song that I learned was Buffett’s “Son of a Sailor”. Yes, the very 1st song that I learned to play had 4 chords and not 3.
So I got married & started a family. I put music away for many years; until divorce. At that time, I dug my ole buddy out of the closet, and with no inhibitions or regret I began writing; and I mean a lot. It appears the rest just might be history. For the record, I never intended it to be that way. I hear music in my head. I can pick out the chords in songs and pretty much play them on the spot. I dream music. In fact some of my songs have been from dreams. I wake up and voice record the idea and quickly go back to sleep only to find a ½ written song later on. I decided that I should take it up a level when I started listening to my music vs. anything else when I was just hanging out. Not out of vanity, I just liked it better.
I have a day job and so music is hobby for me, but it is one that I am passionate about.
…..and so here we go……. I hope that you enjoy my stuff!
I welcome and appreciate feedback…. Cheers!!!
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