Merle Haggard Invites Jamey Johnson To The Stage For Pure Country ‘Long Black Veil’

If this performance does anything, it proves that real country music is not dead – it’s just hard to find.

Country singer Jamey Johnson was in attendance at the Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson concert at the Ohio State Fair in 2012 when The Hag did something no one expected. He invited Johnson to the stage to sing the song “Long Black Veil” with them.

After shaking hands with both Haggard and Kristofferson, Johnson took lead vocals, with Haggard playing lead guitar and Kristofferson singing backup.

“Long Black Veil” was originally performed by country legend Lefty Frizzell in the late 1950s, but was covered many times by singers from all genres. Prominent versions include covers from Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Stoney LaRue, Rosanne Cash, Gregg Allman and the All Star Band, and even Bob Dylan.

Audience members sat silently through the entire performance, enjoying the pure country sound and erupted in applause following Haggard’s guitar solo that ended the song.

Haggard and Johnson were very good friends and performed together on several occasions.

Watch their performance below.