Haggard, Merle (1937- )

US country singer, songwriter, and musician (guitar and fiddle). His songs deal with working-class tribulations and extol patriotism. He had hits with, among others, ‘I Am a Lonesome Fugitive’ (1966), ‘Sing Me Back Home’ (1967), ‘Mama Tried’ (1968), and ‘Okie from Muskogee’ (1969).

Haggard was born in Bakersfield, California, which was to become home to a whole school of country musicians in the 1960s. His career began after two years in San Quentin prison, and his songs often deal with outlaws. They also invoke his family roots in the Oklahoma dust bowl. He has made tribute albums to several of his influences, among them Jimmie Rodgers (1969), Bob Wills (1970, 1974), and Elvis Presley (1977), and recorded many duet albums, for example with George Jones (1982) and Willie Nelson (1983, 1987). Later albums include Blue Jungle (1990), If I Could Only Fly (2000), Cabin In The Hills (2000), and Roots Volume 1 (2001). Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1996.

Between 1973 and 1976, Haggard achieved nine consecutive number one records in the US country charts.