ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 1996 TAG: 9604100029
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 5 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: The people column
Garry Trudeau is bringing his written opinions to Time magazine.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of ``Doonesbury'' has joined Time as a regular contributor. He debuts in the April 15 issue with an essay on yuppie buying sprees.
Merle Haggard is hoping for his first top country hit in nearly a decade.
He's had 38 No. 1 country hits since the 1960s. But drugs and tax problems helped throw his career off track. His last No. 1 hit was back in 1987.
He's trying again with his new album, ``1996.''
``Between the lifestyle, the IRS and the lack of a hit record, it's taken me 10 years to just get my head back to even,'' Haggard said. ``Maybe it's brought the creative juices to the surface again.''
And what does Haggard think about the music that's been coming out of Nashville over the last few years?
``There's a lot of gingerbread, but I don't see any improvement in the music,'' he said. ``And I certainly don't see the raw music coming to the top. I don't think Hank Williams could get on country radio right now.''
LENGTH: Short : 31 linesby CNB