Mel Tillis fills in for 'buddy' Merle Haggard at SEMO District Fair

Mel Tillis is a country-music icon by every measure: A Nashville veteran for more than 50 years, the performer of "Coca Cola Cowboy," "Southern Rain" and "Good Woman Blues" has had 36 top 10 hits, was named Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year and has been inducted into the hallowed halls of the Grand Ole Opry.

But when he heard about the ailing health of fellow country music legend Merle Haggard, Tillis filled another role -- concerned friend.

"I'm filling in for my buddy Merle Haggard," Tillis said Tuesday, of replacing Haggard at the SEMO District Fair's Thursday night show at Arena Park. "I heard he came down with something, so we wanted to help out."

Tillis and Ray Price will be performing at the fair Thursday.

Price, another friend of Tillis', is known for his country hits, "Release Me," "Crazy Arms," and "Heartache By the Numbers."

Tillis, who had just got off the road from three weeks of touring when he learned of Haggard's chest infection, said he immediately felt bad for him.

"I've known him for, Lord, almost 50 years," Tillis said. "He's one of my dearest friends. I prayed for him. I've known him for a long, long time."

Tillis, who turned 78 last month, said he also likes to work. He enjoys performing with his band, the Statesiders. Tillis said he drew a record crowd at the Nebraska State Fair on his recent tour.

"I'm looking forward to coming to Cape Girardeau again," Tillis said. "I had a good buddy there, named Billy Swan. He's a songwriter. He wrote some great hits for me. I came there one time to fill in for Kenny Rogers at some kind of benefit and I know I have some great fans there so I'm looking forward to it."

Fans who come to the performance Thursday should not expect Tillis to simply stand on stage and sing. He knows fans paid good money, he said, and he expects to give them their money's worth.

"Try to," he said. "I'll be doing my country songs, doing my hits. I'll be taking requests, doing some gospel songs. I'll be doing some comedy skits, things like that. We put on a show, not a concert. It's a show."

Tillis is also known for his comedy. For six years in the 1970s, Tillis was named Comedian of the Year by the Country Music Association. Tillis appeared in several films, including "Every Which Way But Loose," both "Cannonball Run" movies and two "Smokey and the Bandit" movies.

"So I'll be telling stories and trying to do more of a variety show than just standing up there and singing," he said.

Tillis will also be signing autographs afterward, he said.

"I do that because you should do it," Tillis said. "A lot of them today won't do it. But Minnie Pearl told me a long time ago to introduce the songs, thank the people and sign autographs. Do that, and you can't go wrong."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address: Arena Park, Cape Girardeau, MO