Film

Merle Haggard: Live From Austin, TX '78

2008

When he stepped onto the Austin City Limits stage for the very first time on that brisk January day in 1978, Merle Haggard was at the top of his game. It had been over a decade since his first national hit, "Sing A Sad Song", and not that long after "Okie From Muskogee" had firmly planted his music in the public consciousness. He had already been declared "Entertainer of the Year" by both the Country Music Awards and Academy of Country Music - in the same year (1970). He had just released A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (Or MY Salute to Bob Willis), which sparked a revival of interest in western swing. And with his band, The Strangers, it's no stretch to say that he had the best live show in country music of his day. - Terry Lickona (Producer Austin City Limits®). Recorded January 18, 1978 KLRU-TV, Austin, TX.

Merle Haggard

artist

Bonnie Owens

tambourine, backing vocals

Ronnie Reno

guitar

Biff Adams

drums

Roy Nichols

guitar

Mark Yeary

piano

Norman Hamlet

steel guitar

Don Markham

saxophone, trumpet

Paul Anastasio

fiddle

Gordon Terry

fiddle

Wayne Durham

bass

Release date

June 2, 2008

Status

Released

Original language

English