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He"s the music icon responsible for the Bakersfield Sound and this morning Kern County will have its opportunity to say farewell.
Today"s public memorial service for Merle Haggard will focus on his spirituality throughout his music.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Merle"s oldest sister, Lillian Haggard Rea, yesterday. During our candid conversation, she explained that many attending today"s service might be surprised to learn about her brother"s deep roots in Gospel music responsible for igniting his spirituality.
Faith is not a foreign concept to the Haggard family. Merle Haggard"s oldest sister, Lillian Haggard Rea, explains the families upbringing.
"Church was just part of our lives and it was just part of Merle"s life," said Haggard Rea. Lillian says Merle grew older so did his musical interests spanning into Gospel music.
"In almost every song there is a spiritual element in it," said the 95-year-old Haggard Rea. So interested, in fact, that Merle brought his band on the road for a church tour throughout the U.S. beginning in the south.
"That turned into an album called "The Land of Many Churches" which was one of his earliest gospel music records and one of his most popular," said Haggard Rea.
Lillian still has her brother"s personal bible which traveled alongside with him on the road. Inside the fragile pages is his favorite verse that is still underlined.
"As I sat by him, I was with him when he died, I read to him the 15th Psalm," said Haggard Rea.
When asked what her brother would say to his Maker at the pearly gates, Lillian knew exactly what Merle"s reply would be. "I"m here to occupy my cabin in the hills and I hope it has trees around it, maybe a lake with some fish in it and it wouldn"t be bad to have a guitar handy. He expects to find a cabin in the hills; the hills of Heaven that is," said Haggard Rea.
The public is encouraged and invited to attend the 70-minute memorial service at Valley Baptist on Fruitvale Avenue. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The service begins at 10:30 a.m.
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Source: http://www.kerngoldenempire.com/news/memorial-service-for-merle-haggard-today-at-valley-baptist-church
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