Son of country music legend Merle Haggard coming to Copperas Cove

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

Marty Haggard, son of country music legend Merle Haggard, is coming to Copperas Cove on Friday, February 8 for a concert. 
The concert titled “A Tribute to Merle Haggard, My Dad” features songs and stories about the late country music singer and songwriter. 
Marty said it’s been about a year since he began hitting the road for performances, with at least 75 percent of his concert appearances in Texas. 
“I’ve done this music thing for 45 years now, and I’ve been on the road since I was eight, and I’m 60 years old. I’ve been doing my own music for 40 years and I’ve been traveling all over the world. There’s not a corner of Texas that me and my dad haven’t been, multiple times,” said Haggard. “Texas is such a country all in itself. I love Texas; there’s a couple pockets in Texas that are starting to lose it. But the majority of Texas is my kind of folk and they like real music. The crowd we draw is more of a traditional country music crowd.” 
Although Marty said that he’s very much like his late father, there’s one difference in their performances, and that’s Marty sings songs and tells stories.
“Dad was like George Strait. He didn’t talk a lot. When he did his shows, he was pretty much just a singer, and a great one. He didn’t have to say a bunch of stuff,” Haggard said. “There’s a lot of stories about his life and his music that only I know. I’m the only kid he took on the road with him all those years. It’s a neat run down memory lane for a lot of people. They always loved my dad and they’re proving they still love him.
“My intent, when we do these shows is when everybody leaves, I want them to feel like they’ve been in my living room. It’s not a show. It’s very intimate and casual. When I look over the crowd, I can see the smiles and sometimes tears. Dad’s songs were a part of people’s lives…life is tough at its best and this gives people a little joy and pleasure and shelter in the storm.” 
Merle Haggard had 110 top 10 records and 50-number one records, and Marty said when he asks the audience to shout out a song request, it’s amazing how seldom they repeat themselves. Silver Wings, one of Haggard’s songs not released as a single, is among the songs most requested.
Tickets may be purchased in person at Candy Outiftters located at 185 W. Bus. 190 Suite 1, for $27, cash or check payable to Marty Haggard Music, or online at martyhaggardtickets.com. 
Doors open at 6 p.m. on February 8 and the concert begins at 7 p.m. The seating is general admission. After the concert, guests are welcome to visit with Marty for photos and autographs. 
Marty Haggard has amassed quite a career on his own. After the early years of touring with his father, Marty signed his own record contract and one of his first releases, “Trains Make Me Lonesome” garnered him a nomination as best new male country artist.  
In 2010, he recorded a tribute album that consisted of 15 of Merle’s classics.  For two years, Haggard performed his tribute show in Branson, Missouri before taking the show on the road.