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Add-Ons
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England Brothers Bandshell Park
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Apopka Amphitheater
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Abacoa Town Center Amphitheatre
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Meadows Event Park
Ben Haggard In Concert
For some musicians, growing up with a famous parent can be a challenge while trying to make one's own way. But for Ben Haggard, being the son of country legend Merle Haggard has put him on a musical mission. Nobody ever had a better education than Ben in the way Merle worked — he toured with his father for eight years as a guitarist in Merle's esteemed backing band, The Strangers, and recorded with him on such albums as 2010's I Am What I Am and 2011's Working in Tennessee. Working so closely with his father for all that time ended up putting Ben in the perfect position to carry the torch of Merle's music. The Hag left us in 2016, but before that he encouraged his son to stay on the road leading The Strangers after the elder Haggard's passing. Fortunately for country music fans, Ben heeded that advice.
In the wake of Merle's death, Ben, along with his brother Noel, began fronting The Strangers in concert just as his dad had suggested. By doing so, Ben has ensured that the raw, real, honky-tonking Bakersfield sound Merle pioneered in the 1960s will remain very present on the contemporary music scene. One of the best things about Ben's delivery of his father's songs is that he bears the unmistakable influence while still very much maintaining his own identity. When he tackles tunes from the canon like "Sing Me Back Home," "Mama Tried," "Are the Good Times Really Over," and "If I Could Only Fly," you can hear the elder Merle's influence. But there's just as much pure Ben coming through, too. And the same holds true when he picks out a solo on the guitar he inherited from Merle.
Ben Haggard is an excellent guitar player and a great singer. The small band featured a wonderful sax player that really added to the concert. Love that Ben and his brother are carrying on the great classic country of their father.
Our seats were great and this concert was so refreshing…amazing music and harmonies!
Totally engaged with this style of true country music. Appreciate the quality, sound and stage presence. Book them back at some point.
Too much emphasis on band solos and jamming together. More attention to vocals. Hard to hear the words with a too loud band, overall it was okay. Ben has a good voice. It has to be more prominent.
So thankful they were able to come to Rochester to put on a show. Sound quality was great & they were amazing! Staff was very helpful & courteous.
WE enjoyed the Ben Haggard concert. The band is great but the acoustic and base was TOO loud.
Ben can sing, Ben can play, Ben can smile. I liked his interaction with the other four guys. And the music was dynamic and loud. I came with the attitude that we could leave if we weren’t enjoying the act, but once they came on stage we were hooked.
Loved every minute! Loved the small venue. The opening guy Jake was great also .. super fun night.. we drove down from Minneapolis 😉
Ben was joined by his brother Noel. Both did an amazing job. They interacted with the crowd and even took requests. After the show Ben left the stage immediately but Noel stuck around to shake hands and greet everyone that was there. He even took pictures with us.
Switched venues to a Christian campus and it really sucked i velieve in gid and all that but been waiting long time after reschedules and stuff but eas hipen ti have fee beers and enjoy but where it was Christian campus none of that was allowed if i wodve known wouldnt spent 100bks for tickets then tried to charge extra cause we didnt have tickets they was sellen i said hell naw and left very disappointed lost 100bks
