Music In The Air

The first time I went to the Oregon State Fair I was a bit disappointed by its size.  It was no larger than the county fair I always went to back in the Midwest.  All that changed as we came out of the livestock barns.  Over the PA system came the strains of Merle Haggard’s smooth voice singing Silver Wings.  That has always been my favorite song by him.  Its haunting melody and sad lyrics touches the sentimental and melancholy emotions in me.  As we moved forward the music became louder and louder.  Suddenly I was running towards the large crowd ahead.  Being small, I was able to wangle my way through the throng until I could see what was going on.  There in the middle of the crowd seated on a stool was Merle Haggard singing.  There were was no stage and no seats, but no one seemed to mind.
 More than five years earlier I had been to see Merle at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan.  It was a fantastic show and Merle did what he does best—he sang and sang and sang.  This was even better, because I was close enough to really see what I considered a Living Legend.  It is performance I saw by chance, but it is one I will never forget.
 Merle’s had a lot of hit songs before that and since, but for me Silver Wings is his best. No one else does it quite like Merle though many have tried.  Despite its sad lyrics when I hear it my troubles take flight and my spirits soar on the silver winds of possibilities to come.  Who knows I may round a bend and find another legend singing.