Hank Jr. Makes Merle Haggard Proud With Fiery ‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ Performance

Kasey Salem / YouTube | Merle Haggard / Facebook

On the first anniversary of his death, country music legend Merle Haggard was honored with a tribute concert that brought the best of the best to the stage to pay homage to him.

Called Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard, country singers including Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Alison Krauss, Toby Keith, and Hank Williams Jr. all came together to honor the man who was known to the world as “The Hag.”

Hank Williams Jr. performed Haggard’s 1980 mega-hit “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink” in front of the sold-out Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJlAAWcc7VA

With the help of Haggard’s legendary band, The Strangers, Hank Jr. tore up the stage the only way he knows he knows how – with gusto!

This isn’t the first time Bocephus has covered this particular Haggard tune. In 2012, Hank Jr. released his version of the song on his album Old School New Rules, which even featured new vocals from Haggard. The duo filmed some behind the scenes footage of them recording it and turned it into the lyric video.

We’re sure Hank Jr.’s longtime pal was looking down on him, enjoying the live performance of “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink”  just as much as we were! Watch it below.

Save this article!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new articles & videos from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

About the Author

Jennifer Pernicano

Hi! I'm Jen, a Southern California-based country music fan. One of my favorite things to do is go to a country concert and experience the art of storytelling in person. There truly is nothing else like it!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.