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Merle Ronald Haggard, born April 6, 1937 in Bakersfield, California is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has become one of the true giants of country music, and along with Buck Owens helped create the Bakersfield Sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Telecaster guitars, harmonies, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville recordings of the time. After spending his early life drifting in and out of jail Merle attended three of Johnny Cash’s concerts at San Quentin Prison. Seeing Cash perform inspired Haggard to straighten up and pursue his singing career.
Perhaps Merle came to prominence to many in 1966 with ‘Swinging Doors’ and ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’. Although not his first hits, they were among three hits he had that year in the Top Ten. Later hits followed, including ‘Branded Man’, ‘I Threw Away the Rose’, ‘Mama Tried’, ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, ‘Working Man Blues’, ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’, ‘Okie from Muskogee’ and ‘If We Make It Through December’. The last two songs seem also to have had a major impact in America. The former song spoke particularly to political conservatives and to military folk. It perhaps also spoke to majority anti-hippy feelings at the time. The latter song’s effect in 1975 is described below.
Merle Haggard was pardoned in 1972 by California Governer Reagan for his past crimes. “If We Make It Through December” was a classic song that really touched the depth of the poverty of some in recession times. In 2005 he released “Chicago Wind” which included an anti Iraq war song.
Perhaps Merle came to prominence to many in 1966 with ‘Swinging Doors’ and ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’. Although not his first hits, they were among three hits he had that year in the Top Ten. Later hits followed, including ‘Branded Man’, ‘I Threw Away the Rose’, ‘Mama Tried’, ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, ‘Working Man Blues’, ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’, ‘Okie from Muskogee’ and ‘If We Make It Through December’. The last two songs seem also to have had a major impact in America. The former song spoke particularly to political conservatives and to military folk. It perhaps also spoke to majority anti-hippy feelings at the time. The latter song’s effect in 1975 is described below.
Merle Haggard was pardoned in 1972 by California Governer Reagan for his past crimes. “If We Make It Through December” was a classic song that really touched the depth of the poverty of some in recession times. In 2005 he released “Chicago Wind” which included an anti Iraq war song.
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Top Albums
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Untamed Hawk
Merle Haggard
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Live: The Hits And More
Merle Haggard Buy- Download Album
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40 #1 Hits
Merle Haggard Buy- Download Album
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The Very Best of, Vol. 1
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Shoutbox
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Rooster____ wrote:
http://www.last.fm/group/Outlaw+Country
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VK1990 wrote:
Workin' Man Blues
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wildtony40 wrote:
do to pneumonia Merle call off show in Ga.
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ZOMBIESTEVEARG wrote:
Grew up on this shit.
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Unknownrooster wrote:
he's too good
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shaunaitcheson wrote:
LEGEND
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P-M-C-Radio wrote:
Merle Haggard was played on Plymouth Music Collective Radio this week. Have a listen at http://pmc-radio.tumblr.com/
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kaiserzeitgeist wrote:
Don't nobody forget, the young Merle Haggard was genuine (jen-you-wine) badass.
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Druid66 wrote:
If anyone was literally saved by country music, it was old Merle. I dig that Bakersfield sound, it's got so much more oomph than Nashville stuff does.
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traqua89 wrote:
Starting the day at work with Okie From Muskogee :) too bad there is sunshine outside my office window, would rather be sitting in my car listening to Haggard, on my way to the beach or whatever
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xKornflakesx wrote:
well I was lonelier than kunta kinte at a Merle Haggard concert
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titefeeclochett wrote:
super
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hagfanforlife wrote:
by the way hag i can play and sing everthing you ever wrote from the heart. you are like faily at my house
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hagfanforlife wrote:
i was 4years old when hag first sang me to sleep. thats my only memory at4 amazing the impression it left. i have been to 30 of his shows. each time i see are hear him sing i am in awe.you are my hero hag! thank you for 41 years of your music. truly the best singer in the world!!!
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davidgeorgea wrote:
I love merl Haggart ,I once had to share an LP of his with my sister in Law who ended up keeping it . Sad !
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JoshCIVM wrote:
My favorite thing about Hag is that he's still alive. In an age where everyone I love is dying, being alive is a major accomplishment.
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reekygeorge wrote:
nobody gonna fill his shoes
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Moarrrrrrrrrrrr wrote:
No reason to quit <3
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SSprayscotland wrote:
MERLE IS THE GREATEST
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FolxPunxForLife wrote:
we don't take our trips on lsd
Videos
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Play
America First
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Play
Today I Started Loving You Again
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Play
The Emptiest Arms In The World
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Play
Why Am I Drinkin'
3 shouts
Events
- Apr 14 Merle Haggard War Memorial Auditorium, Greensboro NC, United States
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Oct
14
topeka fest for old long hair hippie rednecks
vet's from all wars, topeka, ks, United States
1 going
1 shout
News
Classic Country Album sale at Amie Street
19 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/merlehaggard
Check out Amie Street this week for a
limited time offer on Classic Country Albums from the likes
of Johnny Cash, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and more
for just $4.99!
Run Dates: 2/19...
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Classic Country Album sale at Amie Street
19 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/merlehaggard -
19 Feb 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/merlehaggard
Listening Now
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Recent Activity
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TekellJ, oddson99, ShermanTJones and 52 other people added Merle Haggard to their libraries. 3 hours ago
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maryellenshelto tagged Merle Haggard with george jones, hank williams and lefty frizzel. Saturday evening
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maryellenshelto, daler2, Michaelhnash and 20 other people added Merle Haggard to their libraries. Saturday evening
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Divine_Trick tagged Merle Haggard with americana, singer-songwriter and outlaw country. Thursday evening
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native66, Haddicted, dannomars72 and 13 other people added Merle Haggard to their libraries. Thursday afternoon
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TheHagMan wrote about Merle Haggard – Back To The Barrooms in All-Time Favourite Albums - Upto Year Ending 2011. last month
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rattlebag wrote about Merle Haggard – I'm a Lonesome Fugitive in #Lpgroup - 1967. June 2011
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rattlebag wrote about Merle Haggard – I'm a Lonesome Fugitive in a deleted journal. June 2011
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dave6010 updated the wiki page for 40 #1 Hits. (diff) May 2011
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dave6010 created the wiki page for 40 #1 Hits. May 2011
Related Journals
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All-Time Favourite Albums - Upto Year Ending 2011
by TheHagMan |
2 Jan 2012
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Scobbling my way thru 2011
by jcshepard |
1 Jan 2012
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Setlist: Christophe - 12-09-2011 Beans And Leaves, OKC, OK
by HorrorOfDunwich |
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