Merle Haggard’s Son: First Ever Tribute To Dad Supporting Veterans Of Foreign Wars
A first-ever Merle Haggard tribute on May 5th at Tomball’s Main Street Crossing will benefit the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation and provide much-needed services for vets.
Marty Haggard has packed the house in Tomball before, but this is the very first-time attendees have the chance to enjoy his performance and benefit the veterans.
“I love performing in Tomball at Main Street Crossing,” Marty said, “I love the intimate, almost conversational atmosphere we can have…talking, telling stories about my Dad, and of course, playing favorite songs he wrote.”
Seating is very limited and Marty has sold out previous performances. You can also stream the show at http://MartyHaggardVFW.com and proceeds go to the VFW Foundation.
Local businesses and individuals who wish to show support for our veterans are welcomed as sponsors. You will have your business promoted by Marty along with VFW and there are additional special benefits for sponsors, including the streamed version. For more details call Jim Grant at 979.661.3793 or Emerson Brantley 904.343.9915.
All veterans know how much Marty’s dad, Merle Haggard, supported vets. When Merle saw how poorly Vietnam vets were treated he wrote “Me and Crippled Soldiers Give a Damn,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me” and “Okie From Muskogee” just some of Merle Haggard’s over 3 dozen No. 1 country hits.
“We need to be just as clear for the folks who’ve come back from the Mideast…that no matter what, we support them and their sacrifice. That’s why I ask everyone to support – not so much my concert but the Veterans of Foreign Wars who are looking after every aspect of these folks’ lives. So even if you don’t get to the live concert yourself, make sure you let them know you, we, all Americans, are behind them all the way. When you stream the concert, you help our vets.”
Marty’s legendary dad Merle Haggard (1937-2016) was a beloved country music songwriter, singer, guitarist, fiddler, and instrumentalist. Haggard and his band “The Strangers” helped create the Bakersfield Sound with its edgy twang, strong backbeat, steel guitar, and a “working class” style rougher than the more polished Nashville sound. Describing Merle’s journey, from early troubles with the law to performing for the president, to having one of his songs taken on the Apollo 11 mission, Marty says his dad went, “from the jailhouse to the White House…to the moon.”
Marty is the only one of Merle’s children who traveled with him, played alongside him, and was present when Merle first wrote and performed many of his top songs. Between 1981 and 1987, Marty charted five singles of his own on the Hot Country Songs charts, in addition to performing in his father’s road band. Because of his close working relationship with his dad, Marty is uniquely qualified to share first-hand stories and examples of life with his dad with his audience…which he will throughout the concert.
Marty’s not looking for more registrants for his own show, but more support for our vets. The entire performance will be live-streamed, every streaming download you make supports our veterans through the VFW Foundation when you use this link: http://MartyHaggardVFW.com
For more information (or for sponsorships):
Jim Grant 979.661.3793
Donna Guinouard 480.580.4653
Emerson Brantley 904.343.9915