Hopping off the Green Train

Update August 2009: Lawsuit has been settled.

Merle Haggard's music is legendary within the country world, his biography is a legacy of country music success with the release of over 25 albums and 38 #1 hits. Merle Haggard's music is legendary in the country world and he is sited as being an influence for a large number of contemporary country acts.

In January 2009 Haggard filed a lawsuit against the organizers the environmental awareness group Green Train, and its founder Robert K. Wolf accusing them of illegally using his name and likeness in order to raise money.

According to the lawsuit, Haggard showed support for the Green Train project and had donated $20,000 to the organization as well as attending a $1000 luncheon. Haggard is suing the non-profit organization for allegedly forging his signature on letters mailed to musicians such as Jewel, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, and Amy Grant, along with merchandise sold on eBay and at night clubs.

Green Train, which plans to launch a US tour which will cross the country in whistle-stop fashion in order to educate viewers and listeners on the benefits of greener living, denies falsifying this information,.

The country legend has demanded compensatory damages as well as his name no longer being affiliated with the project. Haggard claims that further involvement with the project could cause irreparable damage to his reputation.

Green Train has since removed Haggard's name from the site, but with the case still unresolved, the dispute continues. Greentrain.com will continue to update viewers with the most current developments of the case as they surface.