Merle Haggard Nails It

Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard and I spoke a few times after the In Tandem screening. We went over the lyrics and his thoughts about the pulsating sounds for the Movin’ On theme song. I had represented many musicians and singers prior to coming to Los Angeles in my early days at the William Morris Agency and I was very comfortable having these kinds of conversations with him. But after all was said and done, creating the song was in Merle’s hands, and I awaited the “first draft” of the song eagerly.

Well, when we received the tape, I played it for the entire creative team: producers, writers, editors, and our office staff. Without fail, everyone was knocked out with Merle’s work. We laid it into the film and watched it on the big screen in the same room where Merle had seen In Tandem. It was a goose-bump moment. The song worked perfectly with the picture. Were absolutely thrilled. Merle had nailed it…. and so did we!!!!

Judge for yourself. You can hear the theme song while watching the credit sequence at the beginning of every episode at proclassictv.com.

— Barry Weitz

More On Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard in Sonny Pruitt's semi

Merle Haggard in Sonny Pruitt’s semi

Merle Haggard and his guys came down from Bakersfield, CA to meet with me at the Movin’ On offices at the MGM Studios. We had put together a screening room…. with big, lush, soft cushioned sofas and a great sound system so Merle could sit comfortably and “absorb” our pilot, In Tandem. Our editors, appropriately, had refreshments sent in and Merle and his crew indulged in the libations set before them.

As I recall, it was early afternoon and we planned to take Merle to lunch at the MGM commissary once the screening had concluded. I sat beside Merle in that dimly lit screening room before the movie began and wondered if Merle would find In Tandem exciting enough to write and perform the title song. Our Head of Production, Bill Snyder, chatted it up with Merle while I sat quietly by…. hoping for a good reaction. I know I was nervous because I don’t normally sit quietly by. I remember thinking, “Maybe I shouldn’t have caught so many bass!!!” But what the hell, it’s about the film after all. Either In Tandem speaks to Merle or it doesn’t.

Well, In Tandem did speak to him! Merle and his guys laughed at all the right places and were absorbed in the drama of the movie. They were with it! My secretary quietly came in…. while the film was rolling. She whispered in my ear that I had a call from Larry White, the Head of Production for NBC-TV…. and could I take the call? Well, it’s not smart to refuse a network head’s phone call. I told my secretary to put the call through. The phone was on a small table between Merle and my seats. Also on the table was an intercom to call the projection booth and controls for the lights. I fumbled a little trying my best to not to break Merle’s concentration. I certainly didn’t want to turn on the lights!

I managed to pick up the telephone and talked to Larry in a hushed voice about my plans for the series. When I told him that Merle Haggard was sitting next to me watching the pilot as we spoke, Larry said, “Merle Haggard, No Way!! Do you really think he would do the title song”?

“Yeah, I think he will, but I’ll let you know later, when he’s done watching the pilot.”

“Damn Barry, that would be great if you could get him.”

When the lights came up, Merle and crew applauded enthusiastically and Merle announced without hesitation, “I’m in.”

I was thrilled!

We went to lunch at the MGM commissary as planned. Keep in mind; the MGM commissary was the place…. all the stars that were working on the lot would dine there.  We had made a reservation for the big table at the back of the vast room and when we entered the Maître d’ immediately recognized Merle, as did many others. Many actors, directors, producers came up to him to shake Merle’s hand and acknowledge his enormous talents. A sprinkling of spontaneous applause broke out and Merle was a tad embarrassed…. but was gracious to all that wanted autographs and a handshake.

As you know, Merle did write and record our title song. That song helped put Movin’ On in the world of an iconic truckin’ show…. a world we will always share with Merle…. an icon of the Country and Western world. It was an experience I will never forget. Thanks, Hag…. R.I.P.

–Barry Weitz

Merle Haggard Comes On Board

Merle Haggard Keep Movin On album coverOnce I knew our pilot, In Tandem, had been picked up for series, I began thinking about music. I wanted to come up with a theme song that would work with the plans we had for the show.

I had known Merle Haggard’s music and thought the Bakersfield Sound…. steel guitars…. rough edged…. would be a perfect match for the show. Haggard had that sweet, earthy, gravelly sound in his voice that made me think of heavy trucks rolling through the night. I decided to contact Merle and see if he would be interested in writing and performing the title song for the series. I called him at his home and I told him what I wanted. He laughed and said he had never done anything like that…. but was intrigued enough to meet me and discuss my thoughts.

“So, where should we meet, Merle?” I asked.

“Well, Barry, I love bass fishin’…. so if you like fishin’…. why don’t you come up to Bakersfield and we’ll go out on my bass boat and throw some plugs at large mouth bass”.

What Merle didn’t know was that I loved bass fishin’ and had competed in bass tournaments around California and Texas.

So, I loaded my equipment in my truck, drove to Bakersfield and met Merle and his crew. We had a beer and went to the lake. I started catching fish immediately – hot as a pistol right out of the blocks, while Merle played with the boat and sang “Okie from Muskogee” to himself. I finally decided that since he’s the host, I’d better back off some…. let the star catch the fish. Well, Merle turns it up. Now, he’s on fire and bass are flying into the boat. Merle’s happy, so I start talking Movin’ On with him. He agrees to come to Los Angeles and see the pilot. Now, I’m the one who’s happy.

Merle sees the pilot and loves it. He agrees to write and perform the title song. The song is an instant hit and helps make Movin’ On a success. Merle’s music is a perfect complement to “Sonny”…. “Will”…. and their big, green Kenworth truck and keeps those Big Wheels Rollin’…..

– Barry