The Bob Edwards Show, Steve Martin and Merle Haggard, October 11, 2012

We celebrate our 8th anniversary by replaying some of Bob’s favorite music interviews. First, actor, comedian, writer and musician Steve Martin talks with Bob about his second album Rare Bird Alert, a follow-up to 2009’s Grammy-winning The Crow. Martin is joined on the album by his backing band The Steep Canyon Rangers, with special guests The Dixie Chicks and Paul McCartney singing a couple of Martin’s original tunes.

Then, Bob talks to country outlaw Merle Haggard about his 45 years in the music business and how he hasn’t let himself become a prisoner of success. From doing a 180 on his most famous song, “Okie from Muskogee,” to walking out on Ed Sullivan, to admitting he dyes his hair and wears dentures, Haggard’s life is about refusing to submit. At the 2006 Grammy’s, Haggard received the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. [Broadcast Date: October 11, 2012]