I grew up listening to this guy, along with Marty Robbins, the Eagles, Johnny Rodriguez, Charlie Rich among others... but, Merle Haggard always wrote the right song for the right time... he's still at it. Read on:

Haggard Tune Blasts Media Coverage of War
Thu Jul 24, 8:22 PM ET Add Entertainment - AP to My Yahoo!
By JOHN GEROME, Associated Press Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A new Merle Haggard (news) song that's critical of the media's coverage of the war in Iraq (news - web sites) is garnering so much attention that it's being rushed to thousands of radio stations around the country, a spokesman for the country singer said Thursday.

"We're mailing it out as we speak," Tom Thacker, vice president of Hag Records, said of the song "That's the News." "It's going to a broad range of stations."

Thacker said the song has generated interest from media and fans.

"It's another one of Merle Haggard's social commentaries," he said. "This time it's kind of opposed to the tone of 'The Fightin' Side of Me.'"

That 1970 song was a pro-America anthem at the height of the Vietnam War.

The new song chides the media for focusing on celebrity news and the death of Laci Peterson (news - web sites) and her unborn child while fighting continues in Iraq.

Haggard sings, "Suddenly it's over, the war is finally done/Soldiers in the desert sand still clinging to a gun/No one is the winner and everyone must lose/Suddenly the war's over, that's the news."

The song ends with the lines, "Politicians do all the talking, soldiers pay the dues/Suddenly the war is over, that's the news."

The single will be included on Haggard's new album, "Haggard Like Never Before," to be released in October.

Haggard's song strikes a different tone than two recent country hits that supported war with Iraq: Darryl Worley (news)'s "Have You Forgotten?" and Toby Keith (news)'s "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)."

It also follows a sharp backlash against the Dixie Chicks (news - web sites) earlier this year after singer Natalie Maines (news) made a remark about President Bush (news - web sites) at a London concert shortly before the Iraq war. "Just so you know," she said, "we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Maines apologized for the phrasing of her remark, but sales of the Texas trio's discs plummeted and some radio stations banned their singles.

In an essay on Haggard's Web site, the singer writes, "I don't even know the Dixie Chicks, but I find it an insult for all men and women who fought and died in past wars when almost the majority of America jumped down their throats for voicing an opinion. It was like a verbal witch-hunt and lynching."

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I also like his stance on the Dixie Chicks. It's easy to get on the bus like all the other sheep, and bash what's not popular. It's harder for those who stand up against what's obviously wrong (but popular), and take a hit for their views... I'm glad Merle sees through this.

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I didn't think that Natalie should have apologized, but they were in a middle of a tour. She has the right to say what she wants and we all know she really isn't sorry
[This message was edited Fri Jul 25 11:57:18 PDT 2003 by Janfriend]

Janfriend said:

Isn't America the land of the free? She has a right to say what ever she likes...you don't have to agree with it. But at least give her the right to say it.

I just read this story today. I thought Merle Haggard died. OMG, he is back from the grave and bashing the conserative media. Excellent! It is hard for these artists to have to play by the American rules in order to sell records. Good for Merle. However, I think that Madonna should have stuck to her guns and released the AL video. Madonna could have swithced it all around and I think people would have bought the single and pushed it closer to the top of the charts. Meanwhile, "Hollywood" hasn't charted (I can't even find the single in stores). Sad.

VinnyM27 said:

Oh no, he tours regularly... I saw him about 3 yrs ago, and he sounds excellent! Can't say the same for his sometimes buddy/sometimes enemy Buck Owens, sounds horrible up on his stage... warbling out tunes...

Meanwhile, Merle Haggard's voice has remained amazingly pure.


(can't believe I spelled disbelief wrong edit)
[This message was edited Mon Jul 28 13:20:12 PDT 2003 by June7]