Merle Haggard...

When I was in San Diego working for Youth Specialties, back when they published the Wittenburg (sic) Door, the Doorkeepers were Mike Yaconelli, Denny Rydberg, and Wayne Rice and Wayne had a bluegrass band named Brush Arbor. They'd opened for Haggard, so I bought a Haggard album and I'm listening to him now...

Give Haggard a listen. Maybe start with "Farmer's Daughter"--it's a tender love song of a Dad for his daughter and wife. Then "Working Man Blues"--it's the favorite of young dads at Clearnote Church, Bloomington. "I'm a Good Loser" or "No Reason to Quit" are good theme songs for FB wienies who need Gospel repentance and faith. Or, if they're under church discipline, they'd do well to read Lloyd-Jones' Spiritual Depression . "Every Fool Has a Rainbow" could be some comfort to pastors after certain recurrent counseling sessions that leave them cross-eyed, pulling their hair out. Every man married to a shrew needs the comfort of "I Can't Be Myself. This old cross-country hitch-hiker loves this one. And all of us will love "Jesus, Take a Hold."

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You worked for the "Door" and the late Mike Yaconelli?  Wow - I'm quite impressed.  You can still purchase old Brush Arbor albums too.  There's a couple good clips of Brush Arbor on youtube with Wayne Rice hisself.

It was sad when Mike died, always seemed unclear too as to whether or not it was self inflicted.

And Hank and I were avid Brush Arbor fans. Merle, though...hmm...

Dale and I went twice to Youth Specialties--we loved doing youth work

and we loved Warehouse Ministries in Rancho Cordova.   But we don't

remember Brush Arbor--we don't remember everything.  Loved those

guys at Youth Specialties. 

I see Wayne Rice every once in a while. He has a wonderful bluegrass band called Lighthouse.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lighthouseca

Dear Mr. Regier, would you please give him my warm greetings the next time you see him? I'd be grateful. 

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