Merle Travis

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Smoke! Smoke! Smoke That Cigarette!
Sixteen Tons

About Merle Travis

Merle Travis was an influential American country and western singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Rosewood, Kentucky, in 1917. He is renowned for his unique fingerpicking style, which had a significant impact on the development of guitar music. Travis's career soared in the 1940s and 1950s, with hits like "Sixteen Tons" highlighting his impressive musical talent. Travis's songs often reflect the struggles of the working class, drawing from his own experiences growing up in a coal mining community. His lyrics vividly portray the hardships of coal mining labor, the oppressive economic debt cycle, and the relentless exploitation faced by workers, offering a poignant commentary on social and economic injustices.

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Merle Travis

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