Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggardwas an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, fiddler, and instrumentalist. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band the Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the twang of Fender Telecaster and the unique mix with the traditional country steel guitar sound, new vocal harmony styles in which the words are minimal, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville sound recordings of the same era...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionCountry Singer
Date of Birth6 April 1937
CityOildale, CA
CountryUnited States of America
Back when the country was strong, back before Elvis and before the Vietnam war came along.
To be part of what you're singing about is somewhat painful. You've got to climb inside it all.
This is America. We're proud. We're not afraid of a bunch of terrorists. But this government is all about terror alerts and scaring us at airports. We're changing the Constitution out of fear. We spend all our time looking up each other's dresses. Fear's the only issue the Republican Party has. Vote for them, or the terrorists will win. That's not what Reagan was about. I hate to think about our soldiers over in Iraq fighting for a country that's slipping away.
I've smoked Camels for more years than I care to mention, but I haven't had a cigarette since '91. I haven't had a joint since '95.
Boys, we've done found the prettiest city in America. You've got to see it.
Buck influenced a lot of people, from The Beatles to me. Buck and I were in a lot of battles over the years, always on the same side. Over the last few years, we'd become closer. He even flew up to Portland to see me when I opened for Dylan last year. We were outlaws together.
We're going back to remember the forgotten ones,
Oh, I think I'm most proud of my music and my children, and my current wife. She's been very supportive and probably responsible for me being here.
That I'm a contrary old son of a bitch, I guess,
It's a wonderful thing to live as long as I have and to be appreciated and, well, just to be here for it.
We've been in many battles together (always on the same side). Over the last few years, we'd become closer than we ever realized ... We were outlaws together.
And then I have two children by Theresa, one boy 10 and one girl 13.
No, I had a back injury early on in my life.
And then, of course, there's a couple that claim to be, but I haven't done any DNA tests or anything.