Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard (born April 6, 1937)an American country singersongwriter. In1950s, he emerged asfirst nativeBakersfield, Californiaget involved inBakersfield Sound. By1970s, he was aligned withgrowing outlaw country movement,has continuedrelease successful albums through1990sinto2000s. Haggardperhapsbestmost influential songwritercountry music since Hank Williams. He sings about familiar themes--jail, betrayal, drinking, wanderingwork--but withsortdirectness that comes from personal experience.

Haggard's parents moved from OklahomaCalifornia duringGreat Depression; attime, much ofpopulationBakersfield was made upeconomic refugees from Oklahomasurrounding states. Haggard's father died when he was nine,Merle beganrebel against his mother, who put him injuvenile detention center. Merle's older brother gave himguitar when he was twelve,he taught himselfplay. In 1951, Haggard (at 14) ran awayTexas withfriend, but returned that same yearwas arrestedtruancypetty larceny. He ran away fromnext juvenile detention center he was sent to,wentModesto, California. He worked odd jobs, legalnot,made his performing debut atbar. Once he was found again, he was sent toPreston SchoolIndustry,high-security installation. Shortly after he was released, fifteen months later, Haggard was sent back after beatinglocal boy duringrobbery attempt.

After his second release, Haggard saw Lefty Frizzellconcerthis friend Teague,sangcouple songshim. Lefty was so impressed that he allowed Haggardsing atconcert. The audience loved himhe began working onfull-time music career. After earninglocal reputation, Haggard's money problems caught uphimhe was arrested forrobbery1957. He was sentprisonSan Quentinfifteen years. Evenprison, Haggard was wild. He planned an escape, but never followed through,rangamblingbrewing racket from his cell. Soon, however, Haggard befriended authordeath row inmate Caryl Chessman. Chessman's predicament inspired Haggardturn his life around,he soon earned his high school equivalency diploma, keptsteady job inprison's textile plantplayed inprison's band. He was released1960.

Upon his return, Haggard began performing againsoon began recordingTally Records. His first song was "Skid Row", just asBakersfield Sound was developing inarea, asreaction againstover-produced honky tonk ofNashville Sound. In 1962, Haggard wound up performing atWynn Stewart showLas Vegasheard Wynn's "SingSad Song". He askedpermissionrecord it, andresulting single wasnational hit1964.

Haggard releasedseriessuccessful singles inearly 1960s, including "Just BetweenTwoUs" (duetBonnie Owens)"(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers". He then signedCapitol Recordsreleased "I'm Gonna Break Every Heart I Can"limited sales. In 1966, however, his second Capitol single, "Swinging Doors" wasTop Five hitHaggard had becomenationally known superstar. Duringlate 1960s, Haggard's chart success was consistentimpressive. "The Bottle Let Me Down", "The Fugitive", "Branded Man", "Mama Tried", "Sing Me Back Home", "Hungry Eyes," "The LegendBonnieClyde""I Threw AwayRose"amongmore well-remembered titles. "Mama Tried" was part ofsoundtrackKillers Three, which also included Haggard's acting debut.

In 1968, Haggard's first tribute LP Same Train, Different Train: A TributeJimmie Rodgers, was releasedgreat acclaim. 1969's "Okie from Muskogee" was originally written as an offhand joke, but becamehit whenwas releasedits attack on hippiesother members ofcounterculture. Asresult, many listeners misunderstood Haggard's beliefs, including Governor George Wallace, who askedan endorsement fromsinger. Haggard declined.

Haggard's next LP was A Tribute toBest Damn Fiddle Player inWorld (Or My SaluteBob Wills), which helped sparkrevivalswing music. In 1972, Governor Ronald Reagan gave Haggardfull pardonhis past crimes. Duringearlymid 1970s, Haggard's chart domination continuedsongs like "Someday We'll Look Back", "Carolyn""Grandma Harp".

By1980s, Haggard's popularity was waningpop markets. He published an autobiography called Sing Me Back Home. Although he wonGrammy AwardBest Male Country Vocal Performance1985's "That's The Way Love Goes",new kindhonky tonk had begunovertake country musicsingers like George StraitRandy Travis had taken overcharts. His last number one hit was "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star"1987.