I went to see Merle Haggard last night at the Choctaw Coliseum, just south of Durant, Oklahoma. Here's how the night went.

We left a little before 6:00, took the back routes to the Choctaw Coliseum, where the concert was taking place. We parked, went to the arena, picked up our tickets at the will call window, then went inside and found our seats. When we got inside, a few local musicians were on stage performing some selections of classic country songs. They finished around 6:45. Then, the opening act, Johnny Rodriguez, took the stage. He performed some of his songs, including one which Merle Haggard made a hit in 1985, "That's the Way Love Goes." Ironically, 10 years before, on the same week, Rodriguez had made it a hit also.

After he was finished, there was a half-hour intermission. I walked around mainly because my butt was sore from sitting on that bench! I bought some nachos, popcorn, and lemonade and Mom and I ate on those while we were waiting for Merle Haggard. The Strangers, Merle's band, took the stage, and performed three classic country songs, which built up to the big moment when the man, the living legend, took the stage!

And when Merle Haggard was introduced, there was a long ovation as Merle came on and tipped his hat to the audience. The first song he did was "Big City," which had been the theme song of my last vacation! It was followed by "Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Star," "Workin' Man Blues," "Always Late With Your Kissin'," "Silver Wings," "White Line Fever," and "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink." Speaking of that, I think a guy two rows behind me had a little too much to drink! He was yelling and hollering throughout the concert!

Other songs Merle did included "Misery and Gin," "Rainbow Stew," "The Fightin' Side of Me," "Mama Tried," and "I Hate to See it Go." He closed the show with "Okie From Muskogee" and "Sing Me Back Home."

Overall, I think the show was pretty good. I lived a dream tonight. I got to see my very favorite country singer. (No, I'm not kidding.) I got to see a living legend. And it will be a night I'll never forget as long as I live.