{"id":672,"date":"2012-01-13T20:00:38","date_gmt":"2012-01-13T20:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.71.127.204\/wordpress\/?p=672"},"modified":"2015-10-13T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2015-10-13T15:22:15","slug":"merle-haggard-beau-rivage-theatre-biloxi-ms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2012\/01\/13\/merle-haggard-beau-rivage-theatre-biloxi-ms\/","title":{"rendered":"Merle Haggard – Beau Rivage Theatre – Biloxi, MS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Written by David Clements <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jan 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Image\"The Hag\u2026if you like country music like I do you already know what is to follow in this review.\u00a0 My wife and I had the opportunity to go to Biloxi, MS to listen to and photograph Merle Haggard.\u00a0 The venue was the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.<\/p>\n

A near full house witnessed a 90 minute set of legendary songs by a legendary artist.\u00a0 Hag doesn\u2019t have a lot to say between songs, but he says enough that you know he loves this country and all that it stands for\u2026and don\u2019t get on the fighting side of him!<\/p>\n

His set list is a \u2018Greatest Hits\u2019 collection of songs.\u00a0 He had 36 #1 hits to pick from and it seemed to me that the audience approved of his choices.\u00a0 His fiddle player opened the show just long enough for the Strangers band to get loosened up.\u00a0 It was surprising to me, though, that Merle\u2019s son Noel did not start things off as he has in previous shows.\u00a0 Noel is very talented and can command the stage.<\/p>\n

And speaking of Haggard\u2019s family members, the band\u2019s lead guitarist is his youngest son, Ben.\u00a0 The two lovely back up singers are his wife Theresa, and his daughter Dana.<\/p>\n

When he took the stage, Merle looked like he was nursing a cold (I learned later that is was in fact pneumonia and resulted in 7 cancelled shows across the Southeast).\u00a0 I am happy to report that it did not seem to impact his vocals and he performed at an energy level that belied his 74 year age.\u00a0 He reacted with pleasure as the fans watching responded with enthusiasm and applause at nearly every song.\u00a0 He even mustered a couple of smiles!<\/p>\n

\"Image\"Unfortunately, some fans responded with a little too much enthusiasm and that took a little something away from my enjoyment of the show.\u00a0 I\u2019m okay with an occasional \u2018we love you Merle\u2019 between songs but some audience members were excessive.\u00a0 It also bothers me when someone nearby is singing along to their favorites, but please\u2026I really don\u2019t want to hear your version above the real thing.\u00a0 And PLEASE no \u2018Free Bird\u2019 requests!<\/p>\n

This pleasant experience was topped off by getting an opportunity to chat with the Hag\u2019s road manager, Frank Mull, a classy guy.\u00a0 He shared that Merle will be teaming up again soon with Kris Kristofferson.\u00a0 You can expect to read that review soon after their tour starts no matter how close they get to Houston.\u00a0 Have camera, will travel!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by David Clements Jan 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM The Hag\u2026if you like country music like I do you already know what is to follow in this review.\u00a0 My wife and I had the opportunity to go to Biloxi, MS to listen to and photograph Merle Haggard.\u00a0 The venue was the Beau Rivage Resort… <\/p>\n

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