New Book “Merle Haggard: The Running Kind” Released (Giveaway)
From author David Cantwell and the American Music Series of the University of Texas Press comes a brand new book about the iconic country music Hall of Famer and Kennedy Center Honoree Merle Haggard. Covering his entire career, but focusing mostly on his most prolific decades, Merle Haggard: The Running Kind delves into this complex, often contradictory icon of country music, exploring the creation of many of Merle Haggard’s greatest hits and the life and times that inspired them.
This 294-page book focuses on the music, and the man. From humble beginnings in California, to becoming one of the most well-recognized names in country music, Merle Haggard: The Running Kind explores the fascinating contradictions most of all, the desire for freedom in the face of limits set by the world or self-imposed that define not only Haggard’s music and public persona but the very heart of American culture.
Merle Haggard: The Running Kind is available from the University of Texas Press, Amazon, and all major online book retailers.
Saving Country Music is also giving a copy away to anyone who wishes to leave a comment below, naming either their favorite Merle Haggard album or song. And if you can’t pick just one, list as many as you want. Just make sure to include your real email address so we can contact you if you are the winner.
***UPDATE: Congratulations to David Smith who won the free copy! Thanks everyone else for contributing!
Arlene
September 23, 2013 @ 1:07 pm
“Mama’s Hungry Eyes”
“Kern River”
“Workin’ Man’s Blues”
Richard
September 23, 2013 @ 8:23 pm
My favorite Hag tune changes with the wind. Right now, “Rainbow Stew.”
FLCRACKER
September 24, 2013 @ 6:07 am
The Way I Am
Ramblin’ Fever
TopJimmy
September 24, 2013 @ 7:37 am
My Favorite Memory
Misery & Gin
Always Wanting You (was this really about Dolly Parton?)
Rainbow Stew
Mam Tried
Today, I Started Loving You Again
I think I’ll just stay here & drink
If we make it through December
Josh
September 24, 2013 @ 9:16 am
“today I started loving you again”
nuff’ said…..that song is the story of my life.
seen the original hand written lyrics at the country music hall of fame, in the “Bakersfield” exhibit, in Nashville…..almost broke down and cried right there.
Paul W Dennis
September 24, 2013 @ 3:03 pm
“I Can’t Be Myself”
Canuck
September 24, 2013 @ 8:20 pm
“My Own Kind Of Hat”
Classic Haggard song, which represents his personality perfectly. He truly does wear “his own kind of hat”, and is a true country music original.
Okie329
September 27, 2013 @ 7:07 pm
I’ve gotta go with some lesser known Hag classics, but ones that engage emotion every time I hear them:
What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana?
his cover of Iris Dement’s “No Time to Cry”
I Never Go Home Anymore
JL Reif
September 27, 2013 @ 9:31 pm
No experience like Merle live, especially duing the 80’s when he had 7 or so musicians in the Strangers. Favorite part was always the Bob Wills tribute. Remarkable, he never seemed to repeat the same set list for the Bob Wills songs. Even with his huge catalog of hits, he always devoted 1/3 of the show to the people that inspired him.
Favorite song: Working Man Blues
Living In Stereo » Blog Archive » The Running Kind, #3
September 28, 2013 @ 10:28 am
[…] a few words on my project while over at Saving Country Music they’re running a contest where you can win yourself a free copy of my book. Good […]
Ron Frankl
September 28, 2013 @ 5:17 pm
Shopping For Dresses
Hillbilly Sheep
September 28, 2013 @ 5:19 pm
3
What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana
If We Make It Through December
Jacob
September 28, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
Go Home
Jared Jefferis
September 28, 2013 @ 5:22 pm
My Own Kinda Hat and Kern River were always favorites of mine.
Jimmy Wade
September 28, 2013 @ 5:26 pm
Mama Tried ,Okie From Muskogee nothing like hearing plus from Muskogee when you in Muskogee lol
Barky
September 28, 2013 @ 5:29 pm
Sing Me Back Home
Bobby
September 28, 2013 @ 5:30 pm
Workin man blues
Matt
September 28, 2013 @ 5:32 pm
Ramblin’ Fever.
Also, if you want a good scare/laugh google “Merle Haggard Shitty Fred” for an interesting prison story from Merle.
Seth
September 28, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
“I think I’ll just stay here and drink”
Les Blauvelt
September 28, 2013 @ 5:53 pm
It is impossible for me to pick a single song …. this week my favorite is…..
I’m bringin home good news .
chris
September 28, 2013 @ 6:05 pm
Too many to name with the Hag, but one of my favorites to sing myself and the one with some of my favorite lyrics by the true poet of the working man would have to be “White Line Fever.” I never tire of hearing (or singing) that song.
Vicki Guerra
September 28, 2013 @ 6:29 pm
Silver Wings
Rich
September 28, 2013 @ 7:46 pm
swingin doors, ramblin fever, think I’ll just stay here and drink. his cover of Blaze Foley’s ‘if I could only fly’, get’s to me.
Rich
September 28, 2013 @ 7:50 pm
*gets*
Rod
September 28, 2013 @ 8:31 pm
just stay here and drink
—————————–
annoying women asked me to dance to that song once.
I said,
“I’d rather do what the song says!”
Ty
September 28, 2013 @ 9:40 pm
Misery & Gin
Angela
September 28, 2013 @ 10:26 pm
Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down.
Mitch
September 29, 2013 @ 8:51 am
“I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”
steve murray
September 29, 2013 @ 10:44 am
The way I am
Johnny Lawson
September 29, 2013 @ 10:47 am
The Running Kind
Nicki Nelson
September 29, 2013 @ 3:07 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTKc45iriF8
‘ll Break Out Again Tonight
Daniel Toth
October 12, 2013 @ 12:55 pm
Sing me a sad song …..
Scott Wikle
October 12, 2013 @ 1:35 pm
The Farmer’s Daughter
Jens Koch
November 1, 2013 @ 4:58 am
It’s no problem at all for me to choose an album, because “Pride in What I Am” has always been one of my top 5 albums by anyone. Each of the 12 songs is a masterpiece and while Merle probably wasn’t think in terms of making a concept album, I do believe these songs make up a cohesive album which touches on several themes that have been consistent over the nearly 60 years of production. I’d love to write more but it would turn out into a lenghty essay.
So I’ll pick my favorite song from that album.”I’m Free”, a little gem which celebrates living freely in nature without any of society’s traps, of being penniless yet wealthy in his mind and spirit, because of his absolute freedom. Unlike Springsteen’s rivers that don’t know where they’re going, Haggard’s rivers keeps him aware there’s always something new for him to see. That notwithstanding the song was written by his friend, Leon Copeland.