FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN DIEGO—With preparation of his first album for Capital Records underway, country music legend Merle Haggard has brought in director Michael Steven Gregory to begin filming segments of an anticipated feature-length film chronicling the singer's tumultuous life and career. Shooting on the as-yet-untitled project begins August 18th in Bakersfield, CA, Haggard's childhood home. Award-winning director of photography Jim Orr has also been tapped for the shoot.

Following performances at Buddy Owen's famous Crystal Palace production moves to the Burbank studios of celebrated composer Mike Post, where recording of the new album will begin with many luminaries from the music industry, including country superstar Toby Keith.

Says Gregory about the shoot, "It's a priviledge to be a part of the telling of his story. Merle Haggard is a legend not only because he persevered and overcame formidable obstacles in his life, or because he's endured longer than so many, but largely because, at the end of the day, his music truly is about something. It has something to say. It says something that people often want and need to hear."

During a break in recording, a cross-country tour is slated with Haggard before his returning to the studio in October to complete the new album, scheduled for release sometime in 2005.

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