WYNETTE AND
HAGGARD
HAGGARD
(Nashville,
TN-3.21.14) Country Music
Hall of Famer will be the subject of a tribute album featuring recordings of
his hits by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith and others.
He’ll also receive the Academy of Country Music’s Crystal Milestone award
during the ‘ACM Awards’ telecast April 6. / Myriam Santos
TN-3.21.14) Country Music
Hall of Famer will be the subject of a tribute album featuring recordings of
his hits by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith and others.
He’ll also receive the Academy of Country Music’s Crystal Milestone award
during the ‘ACM Awards’ telecast April 6. / Myriam Santos
Country Music Hall of Famer Merle Haggard will be the focus of
two tributes next month – one an album of the singer’s hits recorded by current
country stars, the other from the Academy of Country Music.
two tributes next month – one an album of the singer’s hits recorded by current
country stars, the other from the Academy of Country Music.
Luke Bryan, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and Toby Keith are among
the artists lending their voices to Working Man’s Poet: A Tribute to
Merle Haggard, out April 1 on Broken Bow Records. During the 49th annual
Academy of Country Music Awards on April 6 – Haggard’s 77th birthday – he’ll be
the recipient of a multi-artist tribute segment and receive the ACM’s Crystal
Milestone award, honoring his 50th anniversary in country music.
the artists lending their voices to Working Man’s Poet: A Tribute to
Merle Haggard, out April 1 on Broken Bow Records. During the 49th annual
Academy of Country Music Awards on April 6 – Haggard’s 77th birthday – he’ll be
the recipient of a multi-artist tribute segment and receive the ACM’s Crystal
Milestone award, honoring his 50th anniversary in country music.
“He’s one of the purest voices ever in country music,”
says Bryan, who will co-host the ACMs telecast with Blake Shelton. “He’s had
such an extraordinary life, so many things to draw from for songs. It’s amazing
just how many things that guy has been through and seen through the
years.”
says Bryan, who will co-host the ACMs telecast with Blake Shelton. “He’s had
such an extraordinary life, so many things to draw from for songs. It’s amazing
just how many things that guy has been through and seen through the
years.”
Haggard had his first hit, Sing a Sad Song, in 1964,
and he topped the Billboard country singles chart 38 times
between 1967 and 1988 with songs including Okie From Muskogee, Mama
Tried and The Fightin’ Side of Me. He won the ACM’s first
entertainer of the year award, in 1970, and the academy has named him its top
male vocalist a record-setting six times.
and he topped the Billboard country singles chart 38 times
between 1967 and 1988 with songs including Okie From Muskogee, Mama
Tried and The Fightin’ Side of Me. He won the ACM’s first
entertainer of the year award, in 1970, and the academy has named him its top
male vocalist a record-setting six times.
Bryan duets with Dierks Bentley on Working Man’s Poet,
singingPancho and Lefty, a Townes Van Zandt song that Haggard and Willie
Nelson took to the top of the country charts in 1983.
singingPancho and Lefty, a Townes Van Zandt song that Haggard and Willie
Nelson took to the top of the country charts in 1983.
“The original had a Spanish-Mexican flair,” Bryan
says. “We took a real different approach with it.” Bryan and producer
Jeff Stevens envisioned the new version in the vein of Mumford & Sons,
“something with some edge that moves along pretty good. It’s an
interesting take.”
says. “We took a real different approach with it.” Bryan and producer
Jeff Stevens envisioned the new version in the vein of Mumford & Sons,
“something with some edge that moves along pretty good. It’s an
interesting take.”
Aldean covers a pair of Haggard’s early ’80s songs, Going
Where the Lonely Go and Are the Good Times Really Over,
while Keith remakes the 1972 chart-topper Carolyn. Jake Owen, Randy
Houser, Thompson Square and Joe Nichols also contributed tracks.
Where the Lonely Go and Are the Good Times Really Over,
while Keith remakes the 1972 chart-topper Carolyn. Jake Owen, Randy
Houser, Thompson Square and Joe Nichols also contributed tracks.
Working Man’s Poet will be
available digitally through iTunes. Physical copies of the album, sold only at
Walmart, will include Brooks’ version of Haggard’s 1966 hit Tonight the
Bottle Let Me Down, which also appeared on his recent box set for the
retailer.
available digitally through iTunes. Physical copies of the album, sold only at
Walmart, will include Brooks’ version of Haggard’s 1966 hit Tonight the
Bottle Let Me Down, which also appeared on his recent box set for the
retailer.
The set also includes two songs recorded by Haggard’s youngest
son, Ben Haggard, who plays guitar in his father’s band, The Strangers.
son, Ben Haggard, who plays guitar in his father’s band, The Strangers.
Previous winners of the Crystal Milestone Award include Aldean,
Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.
Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift.
The ACM Awards will air live on CBS (8 p.m. ET/tape delay PT)
from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.
from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Here’s the track listing for Working Man’s Poet: A
Tribute to Merle Haggard:
Tribute to Merle Haggard:
Misery and Gin,
Randy Houser
Randy Houser
Footlights, Joe
Nichols
Nichols
Going Where the Lonely
Go, Jason Aldean
Go, Jason Aldean
Today I Started Loving
You Again, Kristy Lee Cook
You Again, Kristy Lee Cook
Carolyn, Toby Keith
Pancho and Lefty,
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley
Tonight the Bottle Let
Me Down, Garth Brooks (Walmart edition only)
Me Down, Garth Brooks (Walmart edition only)
You Take Me for Granted,
Thompson Square
Thompson Square
Mama Tried, Ben
Haggard
Haggard
That’s the Way Love
Goes, Dustin Lynch
Goes, Dustin Lynch
Make Up and Faded Blue
Jeans, Jake Owen
Jeans, Jake Owen
I’m a Lonesome Fugitive,
James Wesley
James Wesley
Workin’ Man Blues,
Parmalee
Parmalee
Are the Good Times
Really Over, Jason Aldean
Really Over, Jason Aldean
Let’s Chase Each Other
Around the Room, Thompson Square
Around the Room, Thompson Square
I Think I’ll Just Stay
Here and Drink, Dustin Lynch
Here and Drink, Dustin Lynch
The Fightin’ Side of Me,
James Wesley
James Wesley
My Favorite Memory,
Joe Nichols
Joe Nichols
Ramblin’ Fever,
Randy Houser
Randy Houser
Sing Me Back Home,
Ben Haggard
Marty Martel for Country Music News International