Merle Haggard in Newsweek

Merle Haggard Newsweek features a pretty sweet interview with Merle Haggard. Hag talks about touring with Dylan and the Stones, the Dixie Chicks fracas and going back in the studio with George Jones for only the second time in 25 years.

an Excert: You had a duet out this year with Gretchen Wilson called “Politically Uncorrect.” The lyrics go, “Nothing wrong with the Bible, nothing wrong with the flag, nothing wrong with the working man.” That doesn’t seem to be particularly controversial or politically incorrect.
Yeah, but what is nowadays? Everybody’s twisted around. Freedom ain’t free no more. What America was and what America is is a totally absolutely different country.

It’s a different country now compared to when and what?
Fifty years ago there was as much freedom in San Quentin as there is in the streets of New York today, with obvious exceptions. You’re just as likely to have a police officer throw down on you with a .30-30 [rifle] in New York as you are in San Quentin.

Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic

Willie NelsonIt’s that time again. Time for bbq, fireworks, sunburns and Willie’s picnic. This 4th of July, get yourself to the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas. Advance tickets will be available for $30; otherwise, they’ll cost $35 at the door.

So far, the following artists are on board: Willie Nelson & Family, Kris Kristofferson, Stoney Larue, Shooter Jennings, Del Castillo, Pauline Reese, Noel Haggard, Titty Bingo, James Hand, Jimmy Lee Jones, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Johnny Bush, The Geezinslaw Brothers, Ray Price, No Justice, Randy Rogers Band, Billy Joe Shaver, The Mother Truckers, Mike Graham, Leon Russell, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, David Allan Coe, Freddy Powers, Bonnie Bishop, Bill McDavid, and Heather Myles.

Loretta Lynn has shoulder surgery

Loretta LynnFrom Reuters – NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) – Country singer Loretta Lynn underwent successful shoulder replacement surgery on Thursday after injuring herself in a fall, her agent said.Lynn, 71, has canceled nine concerts scheduled for this month and next month since falling as she tried to get into a chair at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on Sunday.

“The surgery went very well,” said her agent, William Smithson, adding that she will be released from the hospital next week.

Lynn, a legend in country music, is best known for her song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and has rebounded from a career slump following the death of her husband, Mooney. Her latest album, “Van Lear Rose,” was produced by White Stripes frontman Jack White.

Two New Johnny Cash Songs

Johnny CashIsn’t it great that even from the grave that the Man In Black is being sold using cool technology.

From Lost Highway Records – These songs are from the July 4th release “American V: A Hundred Highways” produced by Rick Rubin. These songs were recorded by Johnny just prior to his death in the summer of 2003. One of the songs, “Like The 309,” is the last song that Johnny wrote before his death. These are great songs – enjoy!

The Cash Myspace page is at: http://www.myspace.com/johnnycash