The Only 1960s Country Singer That Tom Waits Gave Props To: “Most Sound Like They’re Talking to Their Accountant”

Tom Waits, known for speaking through his music rather than in interviews, once made a rare public comment praising country singer Merle Haggard as the only 1960s country star he genuinely rated. Waits argued that most country artists lose their working-class authenticity once they achieve success,