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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.
While sons, Ben & Noel, are doing an excellent job of carrying on their Dad, Merle Haggard’s, legacy... I believe Ben has a gifted similar sound of his Dad & will have a fantastic future bringing that into his own style & personality as a successor singer.
The show was amazing great spot for concerts awesome seats and the sound at the Rivercree was awesome , I had an awesome time which I will remember and the staff their were very courteous and helpful, would definitely go to more concerts here and would definitely see Ben and Noel Haggard anytime they are around .
Loved the music, the venue, the seating!! Everything was wonderful and I would recommend this place to everyone!!
Sound wasn’t the best especially when they were talking otherwise it was good
The advertisement was for Ben Haggard but the show was equal parts Ben and his brother (Merle?). Ben has a great voice and respectable guitar ability but this brother, while accompanying Ben on rhythm guitar sang every other song and was far below his younger brother's abilities. My suggestion is for Ben to sing ALL the songs, get a band and start working on other songs to complement his famous fathers' work. Perhaps solo gigs at smaller venues would better suit Ben.
II am glad I had the opportunity to see Ben Haggard. He has a strong voice which is very similar to his Dads', but has its own distinctive qualities. His quitar playing is excellent, and there was a good choice of songs. I believe he needs strength in the area of "stage presence" and being an "entertainer". He needs to "take the bull by the horns", use his talent, and come out strong. Noel has a good voice, also. He should sing and do stand-up comedy with another artist, who also plays. {Remember the Smothers Brothers?)
Ben and Noel were awesome! Ben reminds me Chet Adkins on guitar. Thanks guys for a great evening!!
Awesome time. Two haggard brothers playing covers of their dad. Very intimate setting. Great time.
