Merle Hazard is perhaps best known for his songs about the credit crisis.  He is the first and only country singer to write about mortgage-backed securities, derivatives, and physics.

    NEW SONG, just released in May of 2009:  “Inflation or Deflation?”  The critics are taking note, and Merle thanks country fans such as The Economist, The New York Times, Barron’s, The Financial Times, Newsweek, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Calculated Risk, and economist Greg Mankiw, among others, for their kind thoughts and words.

    Merle’s earlier songs, including “H-E-D-G-E” and “In the Hamptons,” have been covered by outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, CNBC, Reuters, and Fox News.  European coverage has included Der Spiegel, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and RTE (Irish public radio).  These songs have also been featured on many finance blogs and web sites around the world.

    Merle Hazard, known to many as “The Man in Beige,” should not be confused with one of his country heroes, the singer Merle Haggard.  They are totally separate.  They do not even sing about the same things, for the most part.

    Merle will be performing live at the annual convention of the American Economic Association, Sunday, January 3, 2010, 8 p.m. in Atlanta.  He will join the one-and-only stand-up economist Yoram Bauman, and Nobel Laureate James Heckman.  Location to be announced.  Free and open to the public. 

    The contact for interviews and all other Merle Hazard matters is Jon Shayne at 615-250-1600 in Nashville, Tennessee.  You may also contact Merle directly via YouTube messaging.