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
Sometimes if you get 'em too drunk they don't pay no attention to what you're doin' anyways, so you might as well just do old songs. But if you get one that's paying attention, sometimes we'll do some new material.
I think I'm most proud of my family right now. I'm more into that then I've ever been. It also gives a new area to draw from in creativity with my songs.
I think it was Tommy who told me, 'When your song is called 'XYZ' or whatever, every line has got to make sense against your title.' He showed me little methods of proving to yourself whether the line belongs, and ways of finding out whether you were able to get more out of a line if you tried.
It sounds like something from a Woody Guthrie song, but it's true; I was raised in a freight car.
Read about some squirrelly guy who claims that he just don't believe in fighting, and I wonder how long the rest of us can count on being free.
There's just a few people that call themselves stars can actually sit down with a guitar and sing you a song.
If I hear another line dance song I think I'm going to puke.
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.