[KentuckyHillBilly5321]

BTW, looking over WIkipiedia today, I see an interesting statement:

"Merle attended three of Johnny Cash's concerts at San Quentin in three different years. Cash inspired him to straighten up and pursue his singing."

Seems that Cash had an influnce on Haggard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_Haggard

"Inspired him to straighten up .. . . ."

That says it all.

Anyone who knows anything knows that Merle was already singing--he just did not take it as serious as he could have at the time.

Again, you may want to read a little closer--and then learn a little more about Merle.

Also--if you asked every musician (today) who they were influenced by--99 times out of a 100--they are going to say Merle--not Johnny "I can't write my own songs" Cash.