Free Republic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Country music legend, and Oildale native, Merle Haggard has passed away on his birthday. He was 79-years-old.

An oldie from way back in September 2012. Seems so long ago. I think the point of the song / video is that some kind of tax hikes are needed along with spending cuts to avoid the fiscal cliff. They call tax hikes broadening the base and eliminating loopholes. Both Romney and Obama want to tax the rich. It's just that Romney wants to cut spending. Watch for Obama calling out Romney on extreme spending cuts in the next debate. And think about the Boomers who will be taxed so they can pay for their own entitlements in the next...

Merle Haggard Explores Green Energy Merle Haggard is burnishing his rebel image with talk of setting up an alternative energy business in his oil-rich hometown. The 69-year-old country music legend said he's considering buying a second home near his native Oildale and founding a 'sensible'' green energy project to help the United States kick its fossil-fuel habit, the Bakersfield Californian reported.

BOOK REVIEW & DISCUSSION: Ain't Got No Cigarettes: Memories of Music Legend Roger Miller By Lyle E Style "It's an endless story about Roger. He was one of the cleverest people I've ever met in my life." (Waylon Jennings) This is my own review of Ain't Got No Cigarettes, the first Roger Miller book ever published. My review is based on reading the book (twice) and having several discussions with Lyle E Style, the author. He may stop by later to answer questions (as his schedule allows). This one is a must-read, folks. And for you radio personalities who...

The Dixie Chicks appear to be more popular than the president these days. President Bush's approval rating has plummeted, but the Chicks are on top of the pop and country charts with their first album since publicly criticizing Bush three years ago. They did it without the support of country radio, which largely ignored the Dixie Chicks after lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 that the group was ashamed Bush was from their home state of Texas. The new album, "Taking the Long Way," took the No. 1 spot Wednesday on the country albums chart and...