“I Almost Lost It” – Rolling Stones Guitarist Keith Richards On The Awe Of Meeting Merle Haggard For The First Time

It ain't a secret that Merle Haggard was not only respected by those in the country music world, but across all genres of music. Rolling Stones co-founder and legendary guitar player, Keith Richards, was one of those who admired the Hag. Keith performed at the "Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard" show at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 6, 2017, and ahead of that tribute show, Keith recalled the first time he ever met Haggard back in 2004. He remembers it like it was yesterday: "I turn around to my right, and there's this other cat sitting next to me. He's wearing one of those straw Stetsons and a grizzled beard, and he looks at me and gives me a grin and I give him a grin. I get through two more bars of the song, and suddenly I realize it's Merle Haggard. And I almost lost it. You know, I've been sitting next to one of the greats. He turns around and gives me a nod and a wink, and I carry on, I managed to get through the song. To me, one of your favorites, on of your heroes, maybe a guy you always admired, and you meet him sitting on the next side of the drum riser... damn man, that is the sh*t, you know?" Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2zbvtSWCao That moment was during the rehearsal for this television special featuring Merle Haggard, Keith Richards, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kid Rock and a ton more, who all came together for Willie's live Angels & Outlaws album. Keith recalled his friendship with Merle in an interview with Rolling Stone , shortly after Merle's death in 2016: "When Merle broke through, he was akin to Johnny Cash in the starkness of the sound. But it was more melodic. You felt like this guy knew s***. There was a wisdom in it. I still sing and play “Sing Me Back Home” on the piano. That’s my party piece, baby. It’s just so real, so touching." Real recognized real. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XndeRiwM0kQ

Tyler Childers, Lainey Wilson & More Open For The Rolling Stones On 2024 Summer Tour

A little bit country, a whole lot of rock and roll... sounds like my kinda concert. The Rolling Stones hit the road again in 2024, with core members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood performing in 16 different cities from April to July. If you had a chance to go, you know how electric they are live... even with Mick and the boys passing the 80 mark in recent years. I had the chance to see them at Soldier Field in Chicago a few years back, because Whiskey Myers opened up, and it was one hell of a show. But what's even better is that they took the opportunity to bring along some of best country acts in the business to open select dates, including Tyler Childers , Lainey Wilson , Red Clay Strays and The War and Treaty . Every year sounds like it might be their last, but then they announce even more shows, so if you get the chance to see them next year, or perhaps this fall... take it. Last year, Lainey and The War and Treaty were also featured on the Stoned Cold Country covers album, which was a tribute to The Rolling Stones in honor of the iconic rock band’s 60th anniversary. According to Producer Robert Deaton, the project was meant to be country music’s “thank you” to the Stones, which has influenced so much of this genre, as well, so I know it will be even more special for them to be part of a show like this. "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" – Lainey Wilson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psjsej8KByA