Merle Travis performs Nine Pound Hammer and Mus'rat.

The great Merle Travis does "Nine Pound Hammer" and "Mus'rat." From the DVD "Merle Travis Rare Performances 1946-1981." More info at www.guitarvideos.com/#!/Merle...

[@guermeisterdoodlebug7980]

I watched these on our little black and white TV in the early 1950’s. TV programming was not nearly so sophisticated then and these shorts often ran as fillers. My brother and I, especially on Saturday mornings, sat and watched whatever was on, hoping and to see a Merle Travis clip fill an empty slot.

[@cheepchicken]

That is one of the coolest guitars ever

[@michelcapitaine6025]

un grand artiste....la qualite de la photo est surprenante pour l ' epoque !

[@abnerstowe]

Merle is one of the best! Terrific guitar and singing.

[@CrochetGranny7]

Great song. Thank, Merle for all your talent.

[@odettepross2435]

gotta appreciate the oldies ..i do

[@khemrajramdam1050]

We Nepalese love you 🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵.

[@darrendix5163]

I love it when nobody can thumbs down AT ALL.... (and don't let me catch you.....)

[@ThrashRoC]

Great ...I like this kind of Music too...

[@irantacklefishing]

holy god....travis sooooo goooood

[@VLombardi01]

nice guitar playing!

[@guitaneman]

thanks for this upload really appreciate it

[@m1sterj0hn]

lol. brilliant, but a joy to see him take a flannel off while wearing another flannel underneath. ♥

[@BeingRomans829ed]

Use only two fingers and make it sound like a bass player and a lead player. Shazaam! That Merle could pick!

[@richardperkins5046]

It's called Travis picking for a reason.

[@maxmiguel500]

And only thumb and 1st finger !

[@donaldarees8161]

That is the coolest guitar playing. I also love Lenny Breaus version of this song

[@alansouzacruz970]

Mestre 🎶🎶🎶🎸

[@Jake1980]

good ole 9 pound hammer

[@Satchmoeddie1]

I believe the guitar is one of Paul Bigby's Martin conversions. Martin guitars are a status symbol, but I found most do not play very well from this era. They did not use truss rods, and the necks left a lot to be desired. Some were great. Most were mediocre at best. Paul Bigsby would put his own neck on these Martin guitars. They were awesome playing instruments. Bigsby is the actual inventor of the solid body electric guitar. Fender stole the idea.

[@markbowers1339]

Paul Bigsby made the solid body guitar, but Merle Travis designed it.

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

Merle was a cool critter lol

[@nathanvanderham5941]

Mus'rat reminds me a lot of string beans "Chewin Chewin gum"

[@yoichiarvahall6608]

Thank you! I looked this song up and I love it.

[@nathanvanderham5941]

No problem!

[@kelemanii.m9834]

The second song was the real the second

[@thefreese1]

Funny.... The man is a legend, known world wide for his picking, and the goofs filming this rarely showed his hands .. Ironic indeed