Merle Haggard – HuffPost 1.6.12

Mike Ragogna: To me, the title of your album, Working In Tennessee, brings up thoughts of people trying to break through and make it in music. What do you think it’s like for kids these days trying to do just that?

Merle Haggard: I have no idea. It’s a totally different world from when I first broke into the business. It’s a lot more technical and precise, and they want things to be more perfect. I don’t know, really. It must be really tough for them.

MR: Do you have any advice for them from either a business or creative standpoint?

MH: Being creative is about the only thing we can do ourselves that no one can change. We can write these songs that deal with current conditions–that’s our contribution. What happens to it after it gets to the world and the people that turn the knobs is another deal completely.

MR: The ultimate goal is still good music though, right?

MH: Yes, that’s what I mean. We’re trying to get music across and write songs that deal with the current condition, but if you have rules that won’t allow you to play certain songs because it has humor or a less than popular emotion in it that you don’t want on the radio, then you’re at a deadlock. Especially when you have program directors that don’t want anyone to play things of that nature.

MR: Yeah. You mean when it’s conforming to or is the result of consulted radio programming, right?

MH: Yeah. It gets in the way sometimes. Sometimes it doesn’t.

MR: Merle, is there a certain point when you’re recording a track that you usually realize, “Man, this is a great song”?

MH: I can tell you about a situation that occurred in the studio. We were doing an old Bob Wills song and the rhythm guitar player stood up in the middle of a take and said, “This song isn’t any good! I’ve got a better song in my pocket than this.” So, I asked him what it was and he said the title of the song is, “You Were Always On My Mind.” Willie and I looked at each other and I told the guy that Elvis had just done the song and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that right now. Willie looked up and said that he’d do it and six million records later, I’m telling you the story. (laughs)