Merle’s 33rd studio album and his first with EPIC after leaving MCA. BIG CITY was certified as a GOLD record (album) in July, 1983. Merle had recorded it in Hollywood where his great friend, Dean Holloway – who accompanied Merle there, complained about how filthy the sidewalks were in LA and how dirty the city was, unlike Merle’s nest in Bakersfield and other cities he traveled to. That was enough to get Merle’s creative juices flowing and he wrote BIG CITY in 20 minutes, AND it got the honors of becoming the album’s title. There were two of the tracks that went #1 on the Country Billboard charts, but oddly enough, it was the song that rose only to #2 (which ain’t bad folks) that won the CMA (Academy of Country Music) award of SONG OF THE YEAR in 1982: “Are the Good Times Really Over” (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver). This outstanding music treasure was made by my father – ordered by EPIC records as its first MERLE HAGGARD big hit. The Gold award was sent to radio stations, DJ’s and music promoters who helped push it up the charts and give it the airplay it needed to earn the GOLD. ” My father, Ken Kittinger (Google “Ken Kittinger Gold Records) was the “Gold Record Guru” on Music Row for a half century. He knew everyone who stepped on the Grand Ole Opry stage and most who wanted to but didn’t quite make it. But of all the stars, he and Merle were truly best friends. Before Ken passed in January, 2016, Merle was also gravely ill in California. They absolutely adored one another for decades. Pop never missed a visit when Merle came to town and he made every GOLD & PLATINUM award Merle ever earned. (See one of the photos in the listing). From his estate, Ken had thousands and thousands of original record labels, cassette inserts, signed photos from the stars and awards in his inventory which the record labels asked him to keep on hand for VIP’s who might want them long after he made them. These few BIG CITY awards were part of his estate, and the original Side 2 label and the original cassette insert never used are mounted in the framed picture from Merle’s album photo shoot. Where else would you find original record labels or cassette inserts from 37 years ago? The award comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, so please send a name of the person who will own the award for the COA. You will also get an identical COA with no name to keep with the award for future generations. The COA will show a photo of Mr. Kittinger, Merle and Charlie Daniels and authenticate that EPIC Records ordered the award after it was certified GOLD in 1983. Here’s a link to other items from the Kittinger estate of over 5,000 collectibles.