W. Earl Brown Shares Story of Toby Keith at One of Merle Haggard’s Final Shows

The country music world is in mourning following the devastating loss of the legendary singer Merle Haggard.

Numerous stars shared their favorite stories and memories with the singer from throughout the years and the same was true for actor W. Earl Brown, who is best known for roles in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, There’s Something About Mary, True Detective and many more.

The actor posted a story from Super Bowl weekend involving Haggard and Toby Keith.

“It was Super Bowl weekend. Merle had already cancelled months of shows, but this particular booking was a big payday. Merle had to pay his band and crew, so there was no calling in sick for this gig,” he wrote.

Brown went on to explain that Keith and his wife went to see Haggard, who was “in bad shape,” at his show in Las Vegas. Haggard asked the “American Soldier” how many songs he knew, to which Keith replied “All of ‘em” and he wouldn’t need a teleprompter.

“’Well, stay nearby.’ After four or five songs, Merle’s infected lungs were spent. He couldn’t draw enough air to sing any longer. ‘We’ve, uh, we’ve got a special guest here tonight…’ Toby came out and sang the rest of the show,” Brown continued. “The Strangers got paid. And the audience, while not realizing it at the time, saw something special.”

Though initially reporting that it was Haggard’s final show, Brown added a disclaimer saying he had been corrected and there were several after that weekend.

“Whether Vegas was the last show, second-to-last, or whatever, the fact remains that when Merle needed a helping hand, he got one, and the audience was not left wanting. Merle was an artist and a showman until the end,” he concluded.

See the full post HERE.

After struggling for months with bouts of pneumonia, Haggard passed away on April 6, his 79^th birthday. He leaves behind his wife Theresa Ann Lane, along with their two children, four from his previous marriages, and a catalog of music spanning over five decades.