back in the 70s. when my best friend was playing drums for doug kershaw, he told me about a singer he met who was as heavy as bob dylan (thats how musicians talked back then) the singer was merle haggard and i bought his album, if we make it through december, which i liked but didnt blow me away, it was 1982 when a floppy record was inserted into the phonix, bostons alternative weekly paper, that i heard three songs from merles new album big city, and he immediately became one of my favorite singers and a big influence on my own writing. along with george jones, he is my favorite country singer, and my favorite memory is one of many great songs on Big City, his 1982 release.
This song is new to my ears. Sounds like just the right amount of guitar to really deliver this classic sounding melody with your appropriately emotive vocals. I like the cool chords after the chorus. Well done!
Merle Haggard is one of my favorites - as well as the others with that Bakersfield Sound. My stepdad was from the Central Valley and when we visited his family from our home in SoCal, we’d stop in Bakersfield for breakfast at one of those “Let’s Eat” diners.
While I was listening to your version, I searched for Merle’s version on YouTube and the coolest thing happened when you synced up with Merle Haggard - wow! What a dynamite pairing!!! That should become a thing - you need to release that!