Sound Country star Merle Haggard is still at it with another outspoken album. // By Alan Light

The Fugitive

AT 73, OUTLAW COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND MERLE HAGGARD IS WINNING A NEW GENERATION OF FANS. // BY ALAN LIGHT

“EVER SINCE I WAS a very young boy, I always enjoyed trying to put thoughts into rhythm and rhyme,” says Merle Haggard. “I do it for fun. I don’t put pressure on myself—I don’t sit down and say, ‘Okay, now I’m gonna write a classic!’”

Whatever his technique, over the course of his 50-plus-year career, Haggard has consistently created some of the greatest songs in country music history, including such masterpieces as “Mama Tried,” “Sing Me Back Home,” “Hungry Eyes” and of course that ballad of jet-age yearning “Silver Wings.” His new album, I Am What I Am (Vanguard Records), is his 75th, give or take, and demonstrates that the Country Music Hall of Famer still has a sound and a story that’s all his own.

The record—his fi rst collection of all-new material in fi ve years— covers a wide and heartfelt emotional range, from Haggard’s earliest memories, on “Oil Tanker Train” up to “Mexican Band,” a raucous celebration of tequila. In recent years, the man behind “Okie from Muskogee” has gotten even more outspoken politically (increasingly liberal, he’s written songs protesting the Iraq War and supporting Hillary Clinton’s presidential run), and the album’s opening song, “I’ve Seen It Go Away,” presents a despairing look at today’s culture: “I’ve seen it all completely fall apart,” Haggard sings. “And I’ve seen our greatest leaders break their peoples’ heart.”

On the phone from his California home, a few days before heading back out on the endless road, the 73-year-old singer explains that the song represents something of a disappointed farewell to his political commentary. “I’m gonna let the younger people do the criticizing,” he says, “and I’ll take a look at the bigger picture and write about that.”

A knockout performance at last year’s Bonnaroo festival in rural Tennessee proved that yet another generation has embraced Haggard as the ultimate rebel—a sentiment expressed a few years ago by rising country star Eric Church in the song “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag.” The man behind 40 No. 1 hits on the country charts estimates that twothirds of his audience today is made up of younger fans and credits the internet with spreading the word.

“We got off the bus the other day,” Haggard says with a laugh, “and this family was there with a little four-yearold girl. And I heard her say, ‘Is that the man who sings “Big City”?’ They told me they were at the show because she wanted to come.

“It gives me a reason to wake up every morning,” he adds, “to know there’s some kid out there that’s going to discover my music today.”

sound

ALAN LIGHT, former editor-in-chief of Spin and Vibe, has a seven-year-old son who’s also fond of guitars and trains.

Nationwide Coin and Bullion Reserve announces the final release of 2,500 congressionally authorized, fully backed by the U.S. Government, completely free of dealer mark up, $5 Gold American Eagles at the incredible price of ONLY $138.00

EACH

FOR THE INVESTOR

If you had $25,000 in gold in 2001 at $290 per oz you would have almost $100,000 at today’s gold prices. These profit margins are unheard of in today’s volatile financial market. Experts say this is just the beginning. Gold last touched $850 an ounce on Jan. 21, 1980, just after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the seizure of U.S. hostages in Iran. Inflation was running in the triple digits. In today’s terms, this would be equivalent to $2,000 an ounce suggesting the current nine year bull market has much further to run. With the Fed’s decision to print, print, print trillions of dollars Americans will soon see inflation like never before. With these current conditions we are pleased to provide special arrangements for orders of $25,000 and more. Numerous experts are now predicting gold at $5,000 an ounce your $25,000 could be worth $125,000 in the near future. Please understand that when you convert money to U.S. Government Gold you have not spent your money, but rather transferred its value from a declining paper currency, to a powerful asset providing a long term hedge against inflation. Smart investors are currently moving 25-30% of their paper assets into gold. Call today for the opportunity to turn your $25,000 into $125,000. today for the opportunity to turn your $25,0 000 in

Toll free 877-817-1220. T Toll f fre ee e 87 8 7 7-81 8 7 7-12 220.

FINAL RELEASE

Nationwide Coin and Bullion Reserve announces the final release of 2,500 congressionally authorized, fully backed by the U.S. Government, completely free of dealer mark up, $5 gold coins at the incredible low price of only $138.00 each. This at cost offer for American citizens may be your final opportunity to own government gold free of dealer mark up. Gold is currently trading around $1,100.00 per ounce and experts predict gold to skyrocket to as much as $5,000.00 an ounce. Inflation, the printing of trillions of dollars, two wars and the threat of terrorism all have caused the demand for gold to soar. Leading financial experts, Rob McEwen, Christopher Wyke, Peter Schiff and James DiGeorgia all predict $5,000/oz. gold. Due to extremely limited supplies we must adhere to a strict limit of ten coins per household. Nationwide coin and Bullion Reserve has set these beautiful U.S. Government gold coins for immediate public release and cannot guarantee sufficient inventory to supply current demand. Order now to avoid disappointment. This at cost public offer will sell out immediately. Overage orders may be cancelled and your checks returned uncashed. Ordering now may be your last chance to own these magnificent government issued gold coins at this level. Call toll free 877-817-1220.

CALL TOLL FREE (24 hrs a day Seven days a week) 1-877-817-1220

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERS OVER $25,000