"Swinging Doors"
Artist: Merle Haggard
Released: October 3, 1966
"Producer Notes": Our recorded version of this Country Classic pays "musical tribute" to the guitar style of the legendary Roy Nichols as we maintain a "Bakersfield Telecaster Twang" throughout the entire production.
Roy was also a member of Merle's band, "The Strangers".
The "High Signature Harmony" on the original recording was performed by Ms. Bonnie Owens who was married to Buck Owens and later, Merle Haggard.
Bonnie's "unique blend and style" would appear on most of Merle's recordings throughout his long career.
Instrumentation:
Rhythm: 1991 Taylor 812 Acoustic Guitar (performed by LSG)
Bass: 1984 Hohner "Madcat" 4-stringDrums: "Nashville"Brush Kit
Electric Rhythm: 1950 Fender Broadcaster
Electric Fills: Fender "Glaser Double" Bender Telecaster
Vocals: LSG
Background Vocals: Dan "The Coconut Cowboy"
"THE HAG"...by LSG
"Three chords and the truth" said Merle Haggard when asked about his song writing style.
I remember sitting in my dad's '72 Oldsmobile Cutlas Supreme with a 454 cubic inch V8 and a Craig 8-track player with one of the 8-tracks having a picture of Merle wearing a black suit with songs like "Shade Tree Fix It Man", "Wine and Roses", "Lonesome Fugitive", "The Bottle Let Me Down", "Swingin' Doors", and a bunch of his early classics.
As an aspiring lead guitarist/lead singer it doesn't get any better than Merle Haggard. His band was called "The Strangers" and there was no shortage of fine guitar licks. Guitar driven, REAL country music that kicked it in the ass!
My dad turned me on to some of the greatest pickers with his small 8-track collection with Chet and Jerry, Jerry and Chet (Chet Akins and Jerry Reed did reciprocating guest appearances with each other) amongst the Haggard, Hank Sr., and a "Various Artist" 8-track from a truck stop that had plenty of rippin' guitar pickin' (most likely a bootleg).
One of the first songs that I sang along to that perked up my dad's ears, "Swingin' Doors" is one of my favorite songs to sing and pick some original Bakersfield licks stolen from "The Hag" himself.