A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World

A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (or, My Salute to Bob Wills) is a 1970 (see 1970 in country music) album by Merle Haggard. This album was recorded as a tribute to Merle Haggard's childhood idol Bob Wills. Haggard gathered up six of the remaining members of The Texas Playboys to record this tribute: Johnnie Lee Wills, Eldon Shamblin, Tiny Moore, Joe Holley, Johnny Gimble, and Alex Brashear. Merle's band The Strangers were also present during the recording. Haggard would do other tribute albums to Bob Wills over the next 40 years. In 1973 he appeared on For The Last Time Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys. Unfortunately Wills suffered a massive stroke after the first day of recording. Merle arrived on the second day,...