I've been a fan of Merle since Mama Tried first came across the radio waves to my old blue Ford Ranger. I was 16, as I recall. I wore out every Merle Haggard song I could find after that, and I finally saw him live at the Ryman Theater in Nashville, sometime around 2007 I believe.

Yes, the masters eventually quit playing... and teaching. I'll have to think seriously about whether I can get away for a course. Hopefully sometime before we're all drinking that free bubble up and eating that rainbow stew.

Jim