As author and singer of “Workin’ Man Blues” – and oft-dubbed “The Poet of the Common Man,” American legend Merle Haggard graces Michael Moore’s new documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.
As author and singer of “Workin’ Man Blues” – and oft-dubbed “The Poet of the Common Man” American legend Merle Haggard graces Michael Moore’s new documentary Capitalism: A Love Story.
The film opens nationwide this Friday (October 2).
Merle Haggard's voice in song closes out the film. Merle said, “I was proud to sing Woody Guthrie’s ‘Jesus Christ,’” over Capitalism’s end credits.
Haggard was a perfect fit for Moore’s paean to the plight of regular Americans in an economy ruled by big business. Equally fitting is that Merle, described in a lengthy profile in the October 1 issue of Rolling Stone as “a rebel icon and folk hero, an inheritor of the traditions of Woody Guthrie,” would revisit one of Guthrie’s protest songs.
A Golden Lion nominee and winner of both the Little Golden Lion and the Open Prize at the 2009 Venice Film Festival, Capitalism: A Love Story opened in New York and Los Angeles on September 23 to box office success and critical praise. Capitalism: A Love Story hits theaters across America on October 2.
Merle appears in the current issue of Rolling Stone in a career-defining piece written by Jason Fine. This in-depth look at an American icon has hit a nerve with the public: not only is everyone from John Fogerty to Dog The Bounty Hunter twittering about Merle, but the magazine has also received overwhelmingly positive responses via old fashioned handwritten letters, email and web comments.
He was recently honored with the Poet’s Award at the Academy of Country Music’s ACM Honors on September 22 in Nashville – and played a sold-out gig at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium that same night.
For more on Mr. Haggard, go to www.merlehaggard.com .
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