Legends Q&A: January 2008

By Lew Jones

Merle Haggard Photo Courtesy of Capitol Nashville

Check in with Lew Jones for the latest on your favorite country legends!

Q: Can you (with your inside sources) find out how many albums Merle Haggard has sold? RIAA only lists gold and platinum numbers.
(Chris, Fairfield, OH)

A: Well Chris, the blunt, short answer is: Not really. My sources are not that "inside." Truth be told, I doubt if anyone, including Merle, knows! (This might make a good semester-long project for a college economics class, to make an educated guess.) What I can tell you is that Merle's accomplishments in the music industry are totally legendary. In just one of the industry's music charts (Billboard), Merle hit the top of the charts 38 times. That's third, just behind George Strait and Conway Twitty.

Merle was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994. His awards are numerous, including a Grammy Hall of Fame placement for "Mama Tried" a song he both wrote and performed. And his stature with other performers? I was in Nashville doing radio interviews, and decided to ask younger performers to name an artist they looked up to. I figured I'd get a broad range of answers, which I could use later for variety's sake. Nope, 98% of them named Merle Haggard.

Q: Where can I find a CD called Great Western Themes? It is some theme songs used in some western movies.
(Steve, Unionville, TN)

A: Steve, there are several that loosely fit what you're looking for. Two of the ones that look the best to me are Greatest Western Themes by K-Tel. Songs range from "A Fist Full of Dollars" to "High Noon" and "Bonanza". Also, Songs Of The West on Rhino Records. The Rhino set has "The Magnificent Seven", "Gunsmoke", and "Rawhide" as well as some of the same songs on the K-Tel set. Either one should have you in the mood to put on that cowboy hat.

Q: First off, I love your column! Now, my question: Back in the old days, I had 8-tracks of Loretta and Conway, and I have found them on old music sites to buy, but I can't find a song that she did called "Legend In Your Mind." Can you help?
(Wanda, Salem, OR)

A: Only if you still have an actual record player around, Wanda. If you remember 8-tracks, maybe you still have a turntable someplace. The song you're looking for seems to be only available on Loretta's LP, Entertainer Of The Year, which she released in 1973. And thanks for the good word about the column. I have great fun doing it.

Q: Why can't I find a copy of Earl Thomas Conley's "Shadow Of A Doubt"? I love that song.
(Darlene, Carson City, NV)

A: It's not one of his biggest hits, Darlene, so it's not on very many of his CDs, but it is available. I found it on the albums Yours Truly from 1991, and Love Out Loud-The Encore Collection, from 1998. There's also a live version on Earl Thomas Conley-Live At Billy Bob's Texas. And by the way, Darlene, you have an excellent Classic Hit Country radio station in Carson City. My radio program is on it everyday. Give "My Country 1300" KCMY a try.

Q: There is an argument in our office about where the members of Alabama are actually from. One says they are from Canada. Is this true?
(Kevin, DeRidder, LA)

A: There have been a number of great singers and groups from our neighbors to the north, but Alabama is not one. The group was formed in Fort Payne, Alabama. Kevin, you can tell your office friends that Ft. Payne is quite a distance from Canada! Three of the original members were cousins, Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook. They all grew up nearby, some no strangers to cotton fields. Still another cousin, Jackie Owen, was with the group for a short while, as drummer. Bennett Vartanian, Rick Scott and finally, Mark Herndon, also were drummers with the group over the years.