http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349 &nbsp;It seemed like the perfect metaphor to depict my life. &nbsp;I was clearly under the weather, but couldn't miss this for the world. &nbsp;I was attending the official street naming party for Merle Haggard and the ceremony was wrapping up. &nbsp;I had my open pen in hand and my Merle Haggard's 16 Big Hits CD out. &nbsp;I was determined to secure Merle's autograph at the end of the ceremony. &nbsp;I was on a roll, already having secured the signatures of attendees/Bakersfield Sound heroes, Sonny Langley, Billy Mize, Hank Decate, and Naf Nutter. &nbsp; Merle was on his way off the stage and heading towards the Harley Davidson showroom. &nbsp;I handed him the CD and the pen, and he gripped both firmly in his hands. &nbsp;Then, suddenly, much to my dismay, he was thrust forward by his wife and a couple of other members of his entourage. &nbsp;He did manage to reach back and hand me the CD, unsigned by him, but he kept the pen. &nbsp;So I left without that autograph I longed to secure, but with a story that I would put in this song as soon as I got home. The moral of this story is one I often repeat: When handed a lemon, make lemonade. &nbsp;I hope you enjoyed the story, and I hope you enjoy it told in this song. Later that night, I attended his performance at the Fox. &nbsp;He didn't disappoint. &nbsp;It was one hell of a show! &nbsp; The Day Merle Haggard Stole My Pen Dr BLT copyright 2008 &nbsp; It was a day like any other except for one thing it was the day they named a street after a man who was a legend in this town &nbsp; Chorus: it was the day Merle Haggard Drive was named for the man and his legend right near my house just 'round the bend it was the day Merle Haggard stole my pen &nbsp; I tried to get his autograph he grabbed my pen and my Merle CD but then his folks pulled him away he walked away&nbsp; with my new pen (chorus) &nbsp; &nbsp;It seemed like the perfect metaphor to depict my life. &nbsp;I was clearly under the weather, but couldn't miss this for the world. &nbsp;I was attending the official street naming party for Merle Haggard and the ceremony was wrapping up. &nbsp;I had my open pen in hand and my Merle Haggard's 16 Big Hits CD out. &nbsp;I was determined to secure Merle's autograph at the end of the ceremony. &nbsp;I was on a roll, already having secured the signatures of attendees/Bakersfield Sound heroes, Sonny Langley, Billy Mize, Hank Decate, and Naf Nutter. &nbsp; Merle was on his way off the stage and heading towards the Harley Davidson showroom. &nbsp;I handed him the CD and the pen, and he gripped both firmly in his hands. &nbsp;Then, suddenly, much to my dismay, he was thrust forward by his wife and a couple of other members of his entourage. &nbsp;He did manage to reach back and hand me the CD, unsigned by him, but he kept the pen. &nbsp;So I left without that autograph I longed to secure, but with a story that I would put in this song as soon as I got home. The moral of this story is one I often repeat: When handed a lemon, make lemonade. &nbsp;I hope you enjoyed the story, and I hope you enjoy it told in this song. Later that night, I attended his performance at the Fox. &nbsp;He didn't disappoint. &nbsp;It was one hell of a show! &nbsp; The Day Merle Haggard Stole My Pen Dr BLT copyright 2008 &nbsp; It was a day like any other except for one thing it was the day they named a street after a man who was a legend in this town &nbsp; Chorus: it was the day Merle Haggard Drive was named for the man and his legend right near my house just 'round the bend it was the day Merle Haggard stole my pen &nbsp; I tried to get his autograph he grabbed my pen and my Merle CD but then his folks pulled him away he walked away&nbsp; with my new pen (chorus) &nbsp; en-us Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:05:48 PST <p>Bummer dude</p> <p>I missed tonight's concert, How was it.</p> <p>My wife and I have seen him several times and was bummed that we missed him.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196390 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196390 <p>Bummer dude</p> <p>I missed tonight's concert, How was it.</p> <p>My wife and I have seen him several times and was bummed that we missed him.</p> <p>my wife and her mom lived with bonnie and bucks boys for awhile when she was a young girl. They were both between husbands and were best buds.. Over they years my wifes mom has received a freebie album of every piece of work that band ever made when they were all together. </p> <p>One year we went to a family reunion at fuzzys place. Back then i was painting scenes on cow skulls feathere etc..Sold them privately and at pow wows etc..anyway one weekend I painted this beautiful indian maiden on a skull ..I smoked the bone over an open wood fire before I painted on it so it had a very unique finish and smokey smell to it before I added the paint. . I was proud of it and wanted it to end up some place special ..so we decided to take it out and give it to Merle.</p> <p>Due to being young and slightly irresponsible we arrived 2 hours late.. We missed Merle by just a couple of minutes because he had too leave for another engagmenent.. Bonnie was still there so I gave the skull to her and asked her to pass it on to him. She said," heck no Im keeping it. It's too good and it will look beautiful in my living room with all my other south western collections"</p> <p>As I watched her and her new husband gently pack it away in their trunk I was suffering mixed emotions. I was glad she liked it but I had my heart set on it touring in Merles bus or sitten in his home somewhere.</p> <p>Later when I talked about it with my wife she pointed out that Bonnie was a star too.( I had to agree with her about that.) and for her to think enough of that piece to steal it away from Merle I should REALLY take the whole thing as a compliment.</p> <p>So blognroll ..you should try lookin on the bright side..maybe he will be writting his next hit song with the pen he got from you.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196452 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196452 <p>my wife and her mom lived with bonnie and bucks boys for awhile when she was a young girl. They were both between husbands and were best buds.. Over they years my wifes mom has received a freebie album of every piece of work that band ever made when they were all together. </p> <p>One year we went to a family reunion at fuzzys place. Back then i was painting scenes on cow skulls feathere etc..Sold them privately and at pow wows etc..anyway one weekend I painted this beautiful indian maiden on a skull ..I smoked the bone over an open wood fire before I painted on it so it had a very unique finish and smokey smell to it before I added the paint. . I was proud of it and wanted it to end up some place special ..so we decided to take it out and give it to Merle.</p> <p>Due to being young and slightly irresponsible we arrived 2 hours late.. We missed Merle by just a couple of minutes because he had too leave for another engagmenent.. Bonnie was still there so I gave the skull to her and asked her to pass it on to him. She said," heck no Im keeping it. It's too good and it will look beautiful in my living room with all my other south western collections"</p> <p>As I watched her and her new husband gently pack it away in their trunk I was suffering mixed emotions. I was glad she liked it but I had my heart set on it touring in Merles bus or sitten in his home somewhere.</p> <p>Later when I talked about it with my wife she pointed out that Bonnie was a star too.( I had to agree with her about that.) and for her to think enough of that piece to steal it away from Merle I should REALLY take the whole thing as a compliment.</p> <p>So blognroll ..you should try lookin on the bright side..maybe he will be writting his next hit song with the pen he got from you.</p> <p>Just glad Merle dressed up for receiving his award and having street named after him!</p> <p>Loved the hat! &lt;Ralph--Not Baily BTW&gt;</p> <p>He was replete in his sartorial splendor!</p> <p>(Early bag lady sleep under Mount Vernon overpass shopping cart ensemble)</p> <p><b>IMPRESSIVE!</b></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196453 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196453 <p>Just glad Merle dressed up for receiving his award and having street named after him!</p> <p>Loved the hat! &lt;Ralph--Not Baily BTW&gt;</p> <p>He was replete in his sartorial splendor!</p> <p>(Early bag lady sleep under Mount Vernon overpass shopping cart ensemble)</p> <p><b>IMPRESSIVE!</b></p> <p>&nbsp;I'm not too &quot;bummed&quot; over missing the autograph, because otherwise, the song would have never happened. &nbsp;Besides, I did get to shake his hand. &nbsp;The concert was superb. &nbsp;But if you've seen him before, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196455 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196455 <p>&nbsp;I'm not too &quot;bummed&quot; over missing the autograph, because otherwise, the song would have never happened. &nbsp;Besides, I did get to shake his hand. &nbsp;The concert was superb. &nbsp;But if you've seen him before, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;Sounds like you've got some great stories of your own, soiuxcityranch. &nbsp;Loved your comment too, Chico. &nbsp;LOL!</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196456 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196456 <p>&nbsp;Sounds like you've got some great stories of your own, soiuxcityranch. &nbsp;Loved your comment too, Chico. &nbsp;LOL!</p> <p>I noticed the hat too...looks like when everything was all said and done, they were going to get some fishing done...what ever happened to his home by the river???</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196465 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196465 <p>I noticed the hat too...looks like when everything was all said and done, they were going to get some fishing done...what ever happened to his home by the river???</p> <p>he ought to buy his kid some zit creme though ...</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196488 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196488 <p>he ought to buy his kid some zit creme though ...</p> <p>Sorry to hear about your pen..but remember, the man has ' priors '....and I'm saying it in a nice way (joking) ...should have reported it...the Sheriff himself was there....</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196498 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196498 <p>Sorry to hear about your pen..but remember, the man has ' priors '....and I'm saying it in a nice way (joking) ...should have reported it...the Sheriff himself was there....</p> <p><i><b>he ought to buy his kid some zit creme though ... ~blood</b></i></p> <p>Stop that!&nbsp;<img id="smilie_13" title="Gut Laugh!" style="cursor: hand" alt=":gutlaugh:" src="http://www.nopc.info/forum/images/smilies/gutlaugh.gif" unselectable="on" editorid="vB_Editor_001" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>(not really)</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196500 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196500 <p><i><b>he ought to buy his kid some zit creme though ... ~blood</b></i></p> <p>Stop that!&nbsp;<img id="smilie_13" title="Gut Laugh!" style="cursor: hand" alt=":gutlaugh:" src="http://www.nopc.info/forum/images/smilies/gutlaugh.gif" unselectable="on" editorid="vB_Editor_001" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>(not really)</p> <p><i>Sorry to hear about your pen..but remember, the man has ' priors '</i></p> <p>I doubt if he'll go to the pen over a pen, but I'm grateful that it inspired the tune I penned.&nbsp; Now that's way too many pen puns :)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196534 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196534 <p><i>Sorry to hear about your pen..but remember, the man has ' priors '</i></p> <p>I doubt if he'll go to the pen over a pen, but I'm grateful that it inspired the tune I penned.&nbsp; Now that's way too many pen puns :)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As for the kid's zits, I heard that they are caused by too many male hormones, which also causes crime.&nbsp; He'll likely start with small things like pens and work his way up, following in his father's footsteps.&nbsp;</p> <p>BTW, more Merle trivia: Merle was released from San Quintin the day I was released from my mother's womb.&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196538 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196538 <p>As for the kid's zits, I heard that they are caused by too many male hormones, which also causes crime.&nbsp; He'll likely start with small things like pens and work his way up, following in his father's footsteps.&nbsp;</p> <p>BTW, more Merle trivia: Merle was released from San Quintin the day I was released from my mother's womb.&nbsp;</p> <p>Now I don't care who you are...THAT WAS FUNNY !!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196539 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196539 <p>Now I don't care who you are...THAT WAS FUNNY !!!!!!!!!!!!!</p> <p>Bruce,</p> <p>Thanks for the spellbinding account of your encounter with the Hag.  You have insipred me to take my own pen in hand (okay, a keyboard), and write this little tribute:</p> <p>BLT asked Merle</p> <p>To autograph a disk..</p> <p>The Hag left in a whirl...</p> <p>No sig, no pen... tisk, tisk.</p> <p>~ Walter Stormont, percussion</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196809 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196809 <p>Bruce,</p> <p>Thanks for the spellbinding account of your encounter with the Hag.  You have insipred me to take my own pen in hand (okay, a keyboard), and write this little tribute:</p> <p>BLT asked Merle</p> <p>To autograph a disk..</p> <p>The Hag left in a whirl...</p> <p>No sig, no pen... tisk, tisk.</p> <p>~ Walter Stormont, percussion</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>It's good to see Merle keeping his appointments.&nbsp; Long ago, I paid to see&nbsp;him in concert and as luck would have it he was over two hours late and absolutely BLOTTO drunk.&nbsp;&nbsp; He could hardly stand and barely sing.&nbsp; He blundered through a couple songs and left the stage and didn't return.</b></p> <p><b>To say I&nbsp;felt cheated is an understatement.&nbsp; I am glad he seems to have gotten his poopie together.</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196823 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196823 <p><b>It's good to see Merle keeping his appointments.&nbsp; Long ago, I paid to see&nbsp;him in concert and as luck would have it he was over two hours late and absolutely BLOTTO drunk.&nbsp;&nbsp; He could hardly stand and barely sing.&nbsp; He blundered through a couple songs and left the stage and didn't return.</b></p> <p><b>To say I&nbsp;felt cheated is an understatement.&nbsp; I am glad he seems to have gotten his poopie together.</b></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><i>&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">BLT&nbsp;asked Merle</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; "><i>To autograph a disk..</i></p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; "><i>The Hag left in a whirl...</i></p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; "><i>No sig, no pen... tisk, tisk.</i></p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">~ Walter Stormont, percussion</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">I love it, Walter. &nbsp;Thanks. &nbsp;I'm glad I could find another way to inspire you, as your creative words have often inspired me. &nbsp;</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">CurtDalton, &nbsp;It sounds like you got a raw deal. &nbsp;Yes, I believe he is clean and sober these days, and it shows. &nbsp;</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">&nbsp;</p> </span></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196832 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/blognroll/21349/#c_196832 <p><i>&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; ">BLT&nbsp;asked Merle</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; "> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; "><i>To autograph a disk..</i></p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; "><i>The Hag left in a whirl...</i></p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; "><i>No sig, no pen... tisk, tisk.</i></p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">~ Walter Stormont, percussion</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">I love it, Walter. &nbsp;Thanks. &nbsp;I'm glad I could find another way to inspire you, as your creative words have often inspired me. &nbsp;</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">&nbsp;</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">CurtDalton, &nbsp;It sounds like you got a raw deal. &nbsp;Yes, I believe he is clean and sober these days, and it shows. &nbsp;</p> <p style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', 'vera sans', sans-serif; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; ">&nbsp;</p> </span></p>