The legendary Merle Haggard performed at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach on February 3rd, and we were fortunate enough to be in attendance.  The evening got started with Tyler Malpass of the Malpass Brothers, who was performing as a solo act on this evening because his brother was ill.  He played a 25 minute set of classic country tunes, including covers of “Hello Walls,” Bill Anderson’s “The Tip of My Fingers,” Waylon Jennings’ “The Door Is Always Open,” and a couple of originals.  He was backed by Merle Haggard’s band and sounded great.  While a young guy himself, his song selection was perfect for the mostly elderly crowd in attendance.

There was then a 20 minute intermission before The Hag took the stage, and when he came out sporting his sunglasses and trademark hat, the crowd rose with a rousing standing ovation that lasted nearly a minute!  He didn’t do too much talking as he opened the show with the 1982 #1 hit “Big City,” then proceeded to rip through a lifetime of hits, including “Mama Tried,” “Pancho and Lefty” (originally a duet with Willie Nelson), “If We Make It Through December,” and more.  He also mixed in some obscure songs such as “Footlights,” a song off his 2006 duet album with George Jones; “Working in Tennessee,” a song off his 2011 album; and “Take Me Back to Tulsa,” a song he recorded as a tribute to Bob Wills in 1970.  He didn’t do an encore per say, but he did take a break towards the end to introduce the band, which included his band leader and son Ben Haggard.  Merle joked that folks often assume that Ben is his grandson.  He then closed the show with 4 songs, including the finale of “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” and “Okie From Muskogee.”

With such a long list of hits, including 36 #1 hits and an astounding 67 top ten hits, it’s impossible to appease everyone, but I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to hear “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” one of his best-known songs.  That aside…speaking of astounding, as if the quantity of hits isn’t impress enough, Haggard once rattled off 61 straight top 10 hits, showing amazing consistency!  If you include duets and collaborations, his totals rise up to 38 #1’s and 71 top ten hits!

While early on in the show he seemed to struggle to hit the more powerful notes, he finished strong, making this an amazing show to witness.  I am so thankful to have seen a legend in the flesh and while he was still a solid performer.   I’ve been to other shows by legends and walked out afterwards wondering what the heck they were doing still out on the road…but not Merle.  He’s still got it!

Merle Haggard Set List

• Big City
• Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star
• Silver Wings
• Mama Tried
• If We Make It Through December
• If I Could Only Fly
• I’d Rather Be a Hippie
• Train of Life
• Pancho and Lefty
• That’s the Way Love Goes
• Footlights
• The Bottle Let Me Down
• Thirty Again
• Working in Tennessee
• Take Me Back To Tulsa
• I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink
• Okie From Muskogee

Here are our complete catalog of photos from the night:

• Merle Haggard – 2/3/14 – Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, FL
• Tyler Malpass – 2/3/14 – Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, FL