Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Haggard overcame a troubled childhood, criminal convictions and time in prison to launch a successful country music career.

Jul 13, 2021 · Sometimes called the poet of the common man, country legend Merle Haggard faced numerous struggles growing up and even did time. Does his childhood hold clues?

Jul 26, 2023 · As a rebellious young man, Haggard found himself behind bars, an experience that would shape his music and resonate with his audience. Merle Haggard’s breakout hit was “Okie from Muskogee.” The patriotic anthem, “Okie from Muskogee,” struck a chord with listeners and solidified Haggard’s place in country music history.

Feb 4, 1990 · As a young man, he was disturbingly, lock-up-your-daughters handsome, with high cheekbones, dusty-blue eyes, and a forest of wavy auburn hair, which he wore in a dramatic pompadour.

Apr 6, 2016 · Autobiography was a continuing source of material for Haggard’s songwriting. As a young man, he had a series of scrapes with the law, bouncing in and out of juvenile detention and later San...

He was married five times, but it was Theresa who helped him find the family life he missed as a young man and as a country star. Through a rocky road from labor camps to honky tonks and prisons to country stardom, Merle Haggard never lost sight of his own musical integrity as an entertainer and an artist.

Apr 6, 2016 · Legendary country singer Merle Haggard died Wednesday on his 79th birthday, after a battle with double pneumonia, which forced him to cancel a string of shows in recent months.

Yet, despite good looks (Haggard bore a striking resemblance to James Dean as a young man), a beautiful singing voice, instrumental skills, stage presence, and prolific songwriting, Haggard never generated the broad appeal of other artists, such as Elvis Presley’s movie success, the television audience of Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, or Roy ...

Mar 12, 2025 · The Common Man’s Poem: Merle Haggard At an undetermined time and place, Merle Haggard wrote and read an untitled letter and or poem for the common man . In the broader canon of Merle Haggard ...

In 1968, Haggard continued his musical semi-autobiography with “Mama Tried,” which described the wayward behavior of a young man who ended up in prison despite the best efforts of his mother to raise him well.