Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2013, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Merle Haggard, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 25 April 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Merle Haggard who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Sean Brady would also like to say ‘thank you’ to Merle Haggard‘s acclaimed keyboard player, Doug Colosio, without whom this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’ from Merle Haggard would not have been possible.
Merle Haggard
This quote was submitted on Thursday 25 April 2013.
‘Doug Colosio (my acclaimed keyboard player and songwriter) and I talked about Gene today at rehearsal.
Dean Roe, who was my bus driver for years, used to listen to Gene while he was driving my tour bus.
I think that Gene is an ‘awfully good singer’.
I think that he sounds a lot like Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), which is quite a compliment from me, considering Lefty Frizzell is one of my favourite singers of all time.
It is always great to hear from folks who honour the original troubadours of country music.
Long live Willie Nelson, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), Gene Watson, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) (and myself!), and all the greats of country music who are still out there on the front lines!’
Thank you, Merle Haggard, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Merle Haggard…
Merle Haggard was born Merle Ronald Haggard on Tuesday 6 April 1937, in Oildale, California.
Merle Haggard’s parents, Jim and Flossie, moved the family to Oildale in California in 1934 after their farm in Oklahoma burned down, with Jim finding work as a carpenter for Santa Fe Railroad.
The Haggard family lived in an old boxcar that they had converted into a home. Though struggling to make a meager living, they had a sturdy shelter and food was always on the table.
Things changed dramatically after Jim died of a stroke when Merle Haggard was nine years old. It was a devastating event for the young boy, who was very close to his father. Merle Haggard’s mother went to work as a bookkeeper to make ends meet, often leaving Merle in the care of a great aunt and uncle.
With his world turned upside down, Merle Haggard turned rebellious.
Merle Haggard hopped a freight train when he was just ten years old, making it to Fresno before being picked up by the authorities. It was the first step toward a youth of truancy from school and petty crime. For the next few years, Merle Haggard would find himself in reform schools, sometimes making an escape, only to get thrown back in again.
The angel on his shoulder during these troubled times was Merle Haggard’s love and talent for music. Although he gave it up before Merle Haggard was born, his father Jim used to play fiddle and guitar in Oklahoma for schoolhouse dances and social gatherings.
Not having an automobile or formal instrument cases, the senior Haggard would ride his horse to these gatherings, carrying his fiddle on one side of the horse and the guitar on the other, in large pillowcases.
Still some of the musical gift had been passed on to Merle Haggard and he easily took to playing guitar. Starting out as a fan of Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), Merle Haggard eventually found his musical idol in Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and worked up a pretty impressive copy of the original’s singing style.
‘For three or four years I didn’t sing anything but Lefty Frizzell songs’, Merle Haggard told Music City News. ‘And then, because Lefty was a fan of Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933), I learned to imitate him too’.
In 1951, when he was fourteen years old, Merle Haggard got the opportunity to see Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975).
Merle Haggard was already starting to make small amounts of money here and there by playing music, but it wasn’t enough to keep him out of trouble.
Merle Haggard left home, when he was fifteen years old, with a friend, and the two were picked up as suspects in a robbery. Although innocent, Merle Haggard ended up in jail for two-and-a-half weeks. It was the first time that Merle Haggard had tasted prison life, but it wasn’t the last. In and out of jail over the years for small crimes, Merle Haggard found himself doing serious time in San Quentin when he was twenty years old.
In 1956, Merle Haggard married Billie Leona Hobbs Witherspoon; she was a waitress and Merle was, at this time, unknown as a singer. The couple’s union lasted until 1964 and Billie Leona was the mother of Merle Haggard’s singing sons, Marty Haggard and Noel Haggard.
On Sunday 9 July 2006, Billie Leona passed away in Bakersfield, California.
Merle Haggard’s musical ability offered him hope for the future. A fellow inmate at San Quentin, nicknamed Rabbit, saw that clearly. When Rabbit came up with an escape plan, he told Merle Haggard that he could come along, but probably shouldn’t, since he had a good shot of making a career from his singing.
As Rabbit had predicted, Merle Haggard’s music was his way out of a dead-end life of small crimes and intermittent jail time. Released from San Quentin in 1960, Merle Haggard joined the then thriving Bakersfield country music scene, which eschewed the smooth country-politan sound coming out of Nashville for a harder-hitting honky-tonk groove.
After making an impression working in local clubs, Merle Haggard joined the band of Las Vegas star Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) in 1962 as a bass guitar player.
Tally Records promotional photo from 1961
When he got an opportunity to record his own single, Merle Haggard chose ‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985); the track was released on the small Tally Records label in 1963 and reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
On Monday 28 June 1965, Merle Haggard married Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006); Bonnie was Merle Haggard’s second wife and was the person who was credited with getting many of Merle Haggard’s songs down on paper.
Merle Haggard’s follow up single to ‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) (No.19, 1963), was ‘Sam Hill’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), but it didn’t do quite as well, only reaching No.45 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964.
Merle Haggard’s next single release was ‘(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964, and brought Merle Haggard to the attention of Capitol Records.
On Monday 6 September 1965, Merle Haggard saw the release of his debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) (No.19, 1963)
‘Sam Hill’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.45, 1964)
‘(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) (No.10, 1964) / this track is also known as ‘All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers’, ‘(From Now On) All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers’ and simply ‘Strangers’ / Following the success of this single, Merle Haggard went on to name his band The Strangers
‘I’m Gonna Break Every Heart I Can’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.42, 1965)
Merle Haggard’s debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), also included the following tracks:
‘Falling For You’, which was written by Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011)
‘Please Mr. D.J.’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘You Don’t Even Try’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020)
‘If I Had Left It Up To You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’d Trade All of My Tomorrows (For Just One Yesterday)’, which was written by Jenny Lou Carson (Wednesday 13 January 1915 – Saturday 16 December 1978)
‘The Worst Is Yet To Come’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘Walking The Floor Over You’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Gene Moles, Phil Baugh (Sunday 13 December 1936 – Sunday 4 November 1990), Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) (guitar)
Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) (steel guitar)
Clifford Hills (fiddle)
Bobby Austin and Robert Morris (bass)
George French Jr. (piano)
Helen Price and Henry Sharpe (drums)
George Jerman (photography)
Merle Haggard’s debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), which reached No.9 on the Billboard Country LPs Chart in 1965, was re-issued, on CD, by Koch Records.
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) also recorded ‘(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011); Roy Drusky’s version of the song reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964, and was subsequently included on ‘Hits’ (Plantation Records, 1978).
On Monday 4 April 1966, Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) saw the release of ‘Just Between The Two of Us’ (Capitol Records, 1966), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Just Between The Two of Us’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) (No.28, 1964)
Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens’ ‘Just Between The Two of Us’ (Capitol Records, 1966) also included the following tracks:
‘A House Without Love (Is Not A Home)’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Slowly But Surely’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020)
‘Our Hearts Are Holding Hands’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘I Want To Live Again’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020)
‘Forever & Ever’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘That Makes Two of Us’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘I’ll Take A Chance On Loving You’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) and Lucy Cole
‘Stranger In My Arms’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020) and Wally Lewis
‘Too Used To Being With You’ (written by Jack Rhodes and Don Carter)
‘So Much For Me, So Much For You’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘Wait A Little Longer Please, Jesus’, which was written by Hazel Marie Houser (Saturday 3 June 1922 – Friday 14 June 1996) and Chester Smith
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens’ ‘Just Between The Two of Us’ (Capitol Records, 1966) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Phil Baugh (Sunday 13 December 1936 – Sunday 4 November 1990) and Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (guitar)
Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) (steel guitar)
Bobby Austin, Bob Morris and Bert Dodson (bass)
Helen Price and Henry Sharpe (drums)
George French (piano)
William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) (vocals)
On Monday 3 October 1966, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.5, 1966)
‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1966)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966) also included the following tracks:
‘If I Could Be Him’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Longer You Wait’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’ll Look Over You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Can’t Stand Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Girl Turned Ripe’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘No More You & Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Somebody Else You’ve Known’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984)
‘High On A Hilltop’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘This Town’s Not Big Enough’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Donna Austin
‘Shade Tree (Fix-It-Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
James Burton (guitar, Dobro)
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Phil Baugh (Sunday 13 December 1936 – Sunday 4 November 1990), Jack Collier and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) (steel guitar)
George French and Glen D. Hardin (piano)
Bob Morris, Bert Dodson and Jerry Ward (bass)
Jim Gordon and Helen ‘Peaches’ Price (drums)
William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966) reached No.1 on the Billboard Country LPs Chart in 1966.
On Monday 4 March 1967, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 – Monday 26 November 2018) / this track was later titled ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ on the album / (No.1 for one week in March 1967) / the B-side of this track, ‘Someone Told My Story’ (written by Merle Haggard), reached No.32 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967) also included the following tracks:
‘All of Me Belongs To You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘House of Memories’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Life In Prison’ (written by Jelly Sanders and Merle Haggard)
‘Whatever Happened To Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Drink Up & Be Somebody’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Someone Told My Story’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If You Want To Be My Woman’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Mary’s Mine’ (written by Jerry Ward)
‘Skid Row’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘My Rough & Rowdy Ways’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Mixed Up Mess of A Heart’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and Merle Haggard
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
James Burton (guitar, Dobro)
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) (steel guitar)
Glen D. Hardin (piano)
Jerry Ward (bass)
James Gordon (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967) reached No.3 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in 1967, and No.165 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart in 1967.
In 1996, Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968), as a special 2-CD set.
On Monday 28 August 1967, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Branded Man / I Threw Away The Rose’ (Capitol Records, 1967), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Threw Away The Rose’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1967)
‘Branded Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 on Saturday 2 September 1967)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Branded Man / I Threw Away The Rose’ (Capitol Records, 1967) also included the following tracks:
‘Loneliness Is Eating Me Alive’, which as written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Don’t Get Married’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘Somewhere Between’, which was written by Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) and Merle Haggard
‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘Gone Crazy’, which was written by Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) and Merle Haggard
‘My Hands Are Tied’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), Merle Haggard and Kay Adams
‘Go Home’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘I Made The Prison Band’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Branded Man / I Threw Away The Rose’ (Capitol Records, 1967) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
James Burton, Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017), Shorty Mullins, Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011) (steel guitar)
George French and Glen D. Hardin (piano)
Leon Copeland and Jerry Ward (bass)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) and James Gordon (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
On Tuesday 2 January 1968, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Sing Me Back Home’ (Capitol Records, 1968), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1968)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ (Capitol Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Look Over Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Merle Haggard
‘Wine, Take Me Away’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and Merle Haggard
‘If You See My Baby’, which was written by Edward Monroe ‘Eddie’ Miller (Wednesday 10 December 1919 – Monday 11 April 1977) and Bob Morris
‘Where Does The Good Times Go’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘I’ll Leave The Bottle On The Bar’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘My Past Is Present’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985)
‘Home Is Where A Kid Grows Up’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Mom & Dad’s Waltz’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
‘Good Times’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Seeing Eye Dog’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ (Capitol Records, 1968) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
George French (piano)
Jerry Ward (bass)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
On Monday 8 April 1968, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968),`which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in April / May 1968) / the ‘B’ side of this track was ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006); although Merle Haggard’s version was never released as a single, it has become a country music standard, recorded by more than one hundred different artists
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Is This The Beginning of The End?’, which was written by Wally Lewis, William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985)
‘Love Has A Mind of Its Own’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘The Train Never Stops (At Our Town)’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Fool’s Castle’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘Will You Visit Me On Sundays?’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘My Ramona’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006)
‘Money Tree’ (written by Wayne Walker)
‘You Still Have A Place In My Heart’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Because You Can’t Be Mine’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) (guitar, banjo)
William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017), Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
George French (piano)
Jerry Ward (bass)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
In 2002, Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
On Monday 15 July 1968, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Best of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1968), which included the following tracks:
‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 – Monday 26 November 2018) (No.1 for one week in March 1967)
‘I Threw Away The Rose’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1967)
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.5, 1966)
‘House of Memories’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967), but it was not released as a single
‘(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) (No.10, 1964)
‘Shade Tree (Fix-It-Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966), but it was not released as a single
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1968)
‘Branded Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1, Saturday 2 September 1967)
‘High On A Hilltop’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966), but it was not released as a single
‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1966)
‘Sam Hill’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.45, 1964)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Best of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1968) reached No.3 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in 1968.
On Thursday 3 October 1968, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1968)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Green, Green Grass of Home’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘Little Ole Wine Drinker Me’ (written by Dick Jennings and Hank Mills)
‘In The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)’ (written by Dolly Parton)
‘I Could Have Gone Right’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017)
‘I’ll Always Know’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Sunny Side of My Life’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Teach Me To Forget’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Folsom Prison Blues’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
‘Run ‘Em Off’ (written by Tracey Lee and Oney Wheeler)
‘You’ll Never Love Me Now’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Too Many Bridges To Cross Over’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), James Burton, William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017), Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
George French (piano)
Jerry Ward (bass)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
In 1996, Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (Capitol Records, 1967), as a special 2-CD set.
In 2006, Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968) was re-issued by Capitol Nashville, along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1969), along with five bonus tracks; the re-issue was presented as a 24-bit digital remastering release.
On Monday 3 February 1969, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1969), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1969)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘Who’ll Buy The Wine’, which was written by William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017)
‘The Day The Rains Came’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘It Meant Goodbye To Me (When You Said Hello To Him)’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Abe Mulkey
‘I Can’t Hold Myself In Line’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’m Bringin’ Home Good News’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Keep Me From Cryin’ Today’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Just Want To Look At You One More Time’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Somewhere On Skid Row’, which was written by Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘I’m Free’ (written by Leon Copeland)
‘California Blues (Blue Yodel No.4)’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘I Think We’re Livin’ In The Good Old Days’, which was written by Dean Holloway and Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1969) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
James Burton (guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Lewis Talley (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro, banjo)
George French (piano)
Bob Morris and Leon Copeland (bass)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) and Roy Huskey (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
In 2002, Merle Haggard’s ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1968) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1969), as a special 2-CD set.
In 2006, Merle Haggard’s ‘Pride In What I Am’ (Capitol Records, 1969) was re-issued by Capitol Nashville, along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ (Capitol Records, 1968), along with five bonus tracks; the re-issue was presented as a 24-bit digital remastering release.
On Thursday 1 May 1969, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Same Train, A Different Time’ (Capitol Records, 1969), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and featured covers of songs by legendary country music songwriter, Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933).
Merle Haggard’s ‘Same Train, A Different Time’ (Capitol Records, 1969) was originally released as a 2-LP set on Capitol Records (SWBB-223) and, in 1990, became the first of Merle Haggard’s Capitol Records albums to be re-released (anywhere) on CD when it was re-issued by EMI-Toshiba in Japan in its entire original repertoire.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Same Train, A Different Time’ (Capitol Records, 1969) included the following tracks, all of which were written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933):
‘California Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Hobo’s Meditation’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Narration No.1’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Waitin’ For A Train’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Mother, The Queen of My Heart’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Hoyt Bryant
‘My Carolina Sunshine Girl’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Narration No.2’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Train Whistle Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Why Should I Be Lonely’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Estelle Lovell
‘Jimmie’s Texas Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Blue Yodel No.6’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and George Vaughan
‘Narration No.3’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Mule Skinner Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Peach Picking Time In Georgia’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Clayton McMichen
‘Down The Old Road Home’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Carey D. Harvey
‘Travelin’ Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Shelly Lee Alley
‘Miss The Mississippi’ (written by Bill Halley)
‘Frankie & Johnny’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘No Hard Times’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Narration No.4’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Hobo Bill’s Last Ride’ (written by Waldo LaFayette O’Neal)
‘My Old Pal’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Elsie McWilliams
‘Nobody Knows But Me’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Elsie McWilliams
‘Narration No.5’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Jimmie Rodgers’ Last Blue Yodel (Women Make A Fool Out of Me)’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Same Train, A Different Time’ (Capitol Records, 1969) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
James Burton (guitar, Dobro)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Lewis Talley (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
George French Jr. (piano)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997), Bob Morris and Jerry Ward (bass guitar)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) and William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) (background vocals)
On Tuesday 2 September 1969, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1969) / this track featured backing vocals from Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017)
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1969)
Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘What’s Wrong With Stayin’ Home’ (written by Bob Morris)
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Who Do I Know In Dallas’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Willie Nelson
‘She Thinks I Still Care’ (written by Dickey Lee and Steve Duffy)
‘I Die Ten Thousand Times A Day’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Every Fool Has A Rainbow’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Came So Close To Losing My Home’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Ken Hunt
‘Montego Bay’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
James Burton (guitar, Dobro)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
George French and Glen D. Hardin (piano)
Bob Morris, Leon Copeland, Howard Lowe, Roy Husky Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) and Chuck Berghofer (bass)
James Gordon and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (harmony vocals)
On Monday 29 December 1969, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (Capitol Records, 1969), which was recorded ‘live’ at The Civic Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma on Friday 10 October 1969, the day before the studio version of ‘Okie From Muskogee’ hit the Billboard country music singles chart.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (Capitol Records, 1969) included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (No.1 for four weeks in November / December 1969)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (Capitol Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
Introduction By Carlton Haney
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘No Hard Times’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Merle Receives Key To Muskogee
Merle’s Introduction To Medley
‘Swinging Doors (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 – Monday 26 November 2018)
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Branded Man’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘In The Arms of Love’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) and Gene Price
‘Workin’ Man Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Merle’s Introduction To ‘Hobo Bill’
‘Hobo Bill’s Last Ride’ (written by Waldo Lafayette O’Neal)
‘Billy Overcame His Size’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If I Had Left It Up To You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘White Line Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Blue Rock’, which was written by Norman Hamlet and Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001)
Introduction To ‘Okie From Muskogee’
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (Capitol Records, 1969) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (lead guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Gene Price (bass, background vocals)
Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (background vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (Capitol Records, 1969) won the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award for ‘Album of The Year’ in 1969. Merle Haggard also won ‘Single of The Year’ for ‘Okie From Muskogee’, as well as ‘Top Male Vocalist’.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (Capitol Records, 1969), which reached No.1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in 1970, and No.46 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart in 1970, was subsequently re-released in 1992, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006, on other record labels.
On Monday 6 July 1970, Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970) was recorded ‘live’, with his band The Strangers, at Philadelphia’s Civic Centre Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday 14 February 1970.
The show also included performances from Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012), Hank Snow (Saturday 9 May 1914 – Monday 20 December 1999) and Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), although they are not included on this recording.
Merle Haggard also does a medley of convincing impersonations, including Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982), Hank Snow (Saturday 9 May 1914 – Monday 20 December 1999), Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) and Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006).
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970) included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for three weeks in March / April 1970)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970) included the following tracks:
‘Introduction By Carlton Haney’
‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Corrine, Corrina’, which was written by Bo Chatmon (Armenter Chatmon, also known as Bo Carter) (30 June 1893 – Monday 21 September 1964), Mitchell Parish (10 July 1900 – Wednesday 31 March 1993) and Jay Mayo ‘Ink’ Williams (25 September 1894 – Wednesday 2 January 1980)
‘Every Fool Has A Rainbow’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘T.B. Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘When Did Right Become Wrong’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘Philadelphia Lawyer’, which was written by Woody Guthrie (Sunday 14 July 1912 – Tuesday 3 October 1967)
‘Stealin’ Corn’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Norm Hamlet
‘Harold’s Super Service’ (written by B. Wayne)
Medley of Impersonations:
‘Devil Woman’
‘I’m Movin’ On’
‘Folsom Prison Blues’
‘Jackson’
‘Orange Blossom Special’
‘Love’s Gonna Live Here’
‘Today I Started Loving You Again, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006)
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011)
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (lead guitar)
Bobby Wayne (rhythm guitar, harmony vocals)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass, background vocals)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (background vocals)
Chubby Wise (Saturday 2 October 1915 – Saturday 6 January 1996) (fiddle)
It was also in 1970 when Merle Haggard contributed the song ‘Turn Me Around’ to the soundtrack of ‘Chisum’, a 1970 Warner Bros. Technicolor Western film, which starred John Wayne (Sunday 26 May 1907 – Monday 11 June 1979).
‘Chisum’ was directed by Andrew Victor McLaglen (Wednesday 28 July 1920 – Saturday 30 August 2014) and was loosely based on events and characters from the Lincoln County War of 1878 in New Mexico Territory, which involved Patrick Floyd Jarvis ‘Pat’ Garrett (5 June 1850 – 29 February 1908) and Billy The Kid (also known as Henry McCarty and William H. Bonney) (17 September 1859 or 23 November 1859 – 14 July 1881), among others.
On Monday 6 April 1970, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Introducing My Friends The Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1970), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Street Singer’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (No.9, 1970) / this track was an instrumental
Merle Haggard’s ‘Introducing My Friends The Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1970) also included the following tracks:
‘Stealin’ Corn’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Norman Hamlet / this track was an instrumental
‘Mexican Rose’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Norman Hamlet / this track was an instrumental
‘Repeat Performance’ (written by Bobby Wayne)
‘Biff Bam Boom’, which was written by Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) / this track was an instrumental
‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ (traditional) / this track was an instrumental
‘Waltzing With A Stranger’ (written by Norman Hamlet) / this track was an instrumental
‘Sing Me A Happy Song’ (written by Bobby Wayne and Dennis Hromek)
‘Blue Rock’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Norman Hamlet / this track was an instrumental
‘Workin’ Man Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard / this track was an instrumental
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Introducing My Friends The Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1970) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Bobby Wayne (rhythm guitar)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Merle Haggard and Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) and Earl Ball (piano)
Tommy Morgan (harmonica)
Jim Horn (sax)
On Monday 16 November 1970, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World (Or, My Salute To Bob Wills)’ (Capitol Records, 1970), which was produced by Earl Ball, and was recorded as a tribute to Merle Haggard’s childhood idol, Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975).
Merle Haggard gathered together six of the remaining members of The Texas Playboys to record this tribute: Johnnie Lee Wills (Monday 2 September 1912 – Thursday 25 October 1984), Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998), Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987), Joe Holley (1917 – 2009), Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Alex Brashear (22 May 1912 – Saturday 2 April 1983).
Merle Haggard’s band, The Strangers, were also present during the recording sessions.
Merle Haggard’s ‘A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World (Or, My Salute To Bob Wills)’ (Capitol Records, 1970) included the following tracks:
‘Brown Skinned Gal’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Right Or Wrong’, which was written by Paul Biese, James Lamont ‘Haven’ Gillespie (6 February 1888 – Friday 14 March 1975) and Arthur Sizemore
‘Brain Cloudy Blues’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Stay A Little Longer’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Misery’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967), Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Time Changes Everything’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967)
‘San Antonio Rose’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘I Knew The Moment I Lost You’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Roly Poly’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Old Fashioned Love’, which was written by James Price Johnson (1 February 1894 – Thursday 17 November 1955) and Cecil Cecil Mack (6 November 1873 – Tuesday 1 August 1944)
‘Corrine, Corrina’, which was written by Bo Chatmon (Armenter Chatmon, also known as Bo Carter) (30 June 1893 – Monday 21 September 1964), Mitchell Parish (10 July 1900 – Wednesday 31 March 1993) and Jay Mayo ‘Ink’ Williams (25 September 1894 – Wednesday 2 January 1980)
‘Take Me Back To Tulsa’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player in The World (Or, My Salute To Bob Wills)’ (Capitol Records, 1970) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar, fiddle)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Bobby Wayne and Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998) (guitar)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Johnnie Lee Wills (Monday 2 September 1912 – Thursday 25 October 1984) (banjo)
George French (piano)
Alex Brashear (22 May 1912 – Saturday 2 April 1983) (trumpet)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Joe Holley (1917 – 2009) and Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
On Thursday 22 April 1971, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971), which was Merle Haggard’s first album, in two years, with a majority of original songs.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Jesus, Take A Hold’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1970)
‘I Can’t Be Myself’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1970)
‘Soldier’s Last Letter’, which was written by Redd Stewart (Sunday 27 May 1923 – Saturday 2 August 2003) and Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) (No.3, 1971)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971) included the following tracks:
‘Shelly’s Winter Love’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’m A Good Loser’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Sidewalks of Chicago’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘No Reason To Quit’ (written by Dean Holloway)
‘If You’ve Got Time (To Say Goodbye)’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’ve Done It All’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Bobby Wayne (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Earl Ball, George French and Glen D. Hardin (piano)
In 2002, Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Let Me Tell You About A Song’ (Capitol Records, 1972), as a special 2-CD set.
On Monday 9 August 1971, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ (Capitol Records, 1971), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1971)
‘Carolyn’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for three weeks in January / February 1972)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ (Capitol Records, 1971) also included the following tracks:
‘Train of Life’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘One Sweet Hello’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘One Row At A Time’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991)
‘Big Time Annie’s Square’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’d Rather Be Gone’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘California Cottonfield’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Earl Montgomery
‘Tulare Dust’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Huntsville’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘The Only Trouble With Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ (Capitol Records, 1971) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
James Burton (guitar, Dobro)
Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), Bobby Wayne, Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) and Lewis Talley (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek, Willard Price, Leon Copeland, Chuck Berghofer and Jerry Ward (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020), Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) and Tommy Ash (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
George French, Glen D. Hardin and Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
On Monday 27 September 1971, following the success of ‘A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player in The World (Or, My Salute To Bob Wills)’ (Capitol Records, 1970), which was released on Monday 16 November 1970, Merle Haggard invited Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), who was then wheelchair-bound, along his wife Betty, to his Bakersfield, California home where members of The Texas Playboys had gathered for an informal jam session.
The occasion was recorded by Capitol Records producer Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) on a mobile recording unit, but the recordings did not see the commercial light of day until 2006, when Germany’s Bear Family Records released Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys’ ‘Faded Love: 1947 – 1973’, a box set comprising of thirteen CDs, one DVD and one hardcover book.
On Monday 8 November 1971, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Land of Many Churches’ (Capitol Records, 1971), a double ‘live’ gospel album, which featured four ‘live’ performances: two are in churches proper, Big Creek Baptist Church and Assembly of God Tabernacle, one is at San Quentin’s Garden Chapel (inside the prison), and one is at Nashville’s Union Rescue Mission.
The music on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Land of Many Churches’ (Capitol Records, 1971) offered a mix of country gospel and traditional hymns, with preachers introducing some of the songs. Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) and The Carter Family are also featured.
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Land of Many Churches’ (Capitol Records, 1971) included the following tracks:
Introduction
‘We’ll Understand It Better By & By’ (written by Charles Tindley)
Medley: ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ / ‘Jesus, Hold My Hand’, which was written by Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1 July 1899 – Saturday 23 January 1993) and Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
‘Precious Memories’ (traditional)
‘History of Big Creek Baptist Church’
‘Turn Your Radio On’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
‘If We Never Meet Again, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
Closing Prayer
‘Just As I Am’
Introduction & Opening Prayer
‘Amazing Grace’, which was written by John Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807)
‘Where Could I Go But To The Lord’ (written by James B. Coats)
Medley: ‘Old Time Religion’, which was written by Charles Davis Tillman (20 March 1861 – 2 September 1943) / ‘Pass Me Not’, which was written by Fanny Jane Crosby (1820 – 1915) and William Howard Doane (1832 – 1915), and ‘Sweet Bye & Bye’, which was written by Joseph Philbrick Webster (J.P. Webster) (18 February 1819 – 18 January 1875)
‘The Old Rugged Cross’ (written by George Bennard)
Closing Prayer
Introduction
‘Life’s Railway To Heaven’, which was written by Charles Davis Tillman (20 March 1861 – Thursday 2 September 1943)
‘On The Jericho Road’ (written by Don S. McCrossan)
‘Steal Away’, which was written by Red Foley (Friday 17 June 1910 – Thursday 19 September 1968)
‘I Saw The Light’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
Introduction
‘Leaning On The Everlasting Arms’, which was written by Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony Johnson Showalter (1 May 1858 – Sunday 14 September 1924)
‘Guide Me, Lord’, which was written by Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015)
‘Family Bible’ (written by Walt Breeland, Paul Buskirk and Claude Gray)
‘I’ll Be List’ning’ (traditional)
‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’ (traditional)
Closing Prayer
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Land of Many Churches’ (Capitol Records, 1971) reached No.15 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in 1971.
In 1997, Merle Haggard’s ‘The Land of Many Churches’ (Capitol Records, 1971) was re-issued, on CD, by Razor & Tie.
In March 1972, Merle Haggard received a letter (dated Tuesday 14 March 1972) from California governor Ronald Reagan (Monday 6 February 1911 – Saturday 5 June 2004). Following eight months of consideration, Ronald Reagan cited Merle Haggard as a ‘fully rehabilitated member of society’ and granted a full pardon for his criminal offenses.
Ronald Reagan (Monday 6 February 1911 – Saturday 5 June 2004), who was originally an American actor and politician, became the 40th President of the United States, serving from 1981 until 1989.
In June 1972, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Let Me Tell You About A Song’ (Capitol Records, 1972), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Daddy Frank (Guitar Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in November / December 1971)
‘Grandma Harp’ (written by Merle Haggard) / ‘Turnin’ Off A Memory’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in May 1972)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Let Me Tell You About A Song’ (Capitol Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘They’re Tearin’ The Labor Camps Down’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Man Who Picked The Wildwood Flower’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘Recitation: The Proudest Fiddle In The World (A Maiden’s Prayer)’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Bill Woods From Bakersfield’, which was written by Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘Old Doc Brown’, which was written by Red Foley (Friday 17 June 1910 – Thursday 19 September 1968)
‘Irma Jackson’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Funeral’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘Bring It On Down To My House, Honey’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Let Me Tell You About A Song’ (Capitol Records, 1972) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Bobby Wayne and Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Billy Liebert and Glen D. Hardin (piano)
In 2002, ‘Let Me Tell You About A Song’ (Capitol Records, 1972) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971).
In September 1972, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Best of The Best of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1972), which included the following tracks:
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (No.1 for four weeks in November / December 1969) / this track was the single version
‘Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1969) / this track featured backing vocals from Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017)
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1969)
‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971), but it was not released as a single
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), but it was not released as a single
‘Daddy Frank (Guitar Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in November / December 1971)
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) / this track was the ‘B’ side of ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (written by Merle Haggard), which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in April / May 1968
‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in 1968) / the ‘B’ side of this track was ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006); although Merle Haggard’s version was never released as a single, it became a country music standard, recorded by more than one hundred different artists
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1968)
‘No Reason To Quit’ (written by Dean Holloway) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971), but it was not released as a single
‘Every Fool Has A Rainbow’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), but it was not released as a single
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for three weeks in March / April 1970)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Best of The Best of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1972) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1972, and No.137 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1972
In December 1972, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’ (Capitol Records, 1972), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) (No.1 for one week in November 1972) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Heroes have Always been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014)
Merle Haggard’s ‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’ (Capitol Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘Goodbye Comes Hard For Me’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘My Woman Keeps Lovin’ Her Man’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘New York City Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Conversion Of Ronnie Jones’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘I Wonder What She’ll Think About Me Leaving’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Shoulder To Cry On’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’d Never Told On You’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Dad’s Old Fiddle’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘Somewhere To Come When It Rains’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘I Wonder Where I’ll Find You At Tonight’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’ (Capitol Records, 1972) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Bobby Wayne, Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Bill Woods (fiddle)
Billy Liebert, Glen D. Hardin and Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
In March 1973, Merle Haggard & The Strangers played The White House for First Lady Patricia Nixon’s 61st sixty birthday; it was quite an initiation for piano player Mark Yeary, who made his first appearance as a member of The Strangers on that particular show.
In July 1973, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973), a ‘live’ album, which was subtitled ‘So I Recorded Live In New Orleans’, and was recorded on Sunday 13 May 1973.
Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in February 1973)
‘The Emptiest Arms In The World’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, May 1973)
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1973)
Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:
‘Hammin’ It Up’ (written by Norman Hamlet)
‘Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)’ (written by Jack Yellen and Milton Ager)
‘I Forget You Every Day’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Heroes have Always been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014)
‘I Ain’t Got Nobody’ (written by Spencer Williams, Roger Graham and Dave Taylor)
‘Carolyn’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000)
‘Champagne’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Norman Hamlet and Biff Adams
‘Lovesick Blues’, which was written by Irving Mills (16 January 1894 – Sunday 21 April 1985) and Cliff Friend (1 October 1893 – Thursday 27 June 1974)
‘Nobody Knows I’m Hurting’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Intro to ‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’
‘Way Down Yonder In New Orleans’ (written by Henry Creamer and J. Turner Layton)
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (vocals)
The Dixie Land Express (horns)
In November 1973, Merle Haggard saw the release of his first Christmas album, ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’ (Capitol Records, 1973), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974) / this track also reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973, No.30 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart in 1973, and No.37 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1973
The original LP release of ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’ (Capitol Records, 1973) carried the subtitle ‘Something Old, Something New’, and also included the following tracks:
‘Santa Claus & Popcorn’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Bobby Wants A Puppy Dog For Christmas’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Daddy Won’t Be Home Again For Christmas’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Grandma’s Homemade Christmas Card’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
‘Silver Bells’, which was written by Jay Livingston (28 March 1915 – Wednesday 17 October 2001) and Raymond Bernard Evans (4 February 1915 – Thursday 15 February 2007)
‘Winter Wonderland’ (written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith)
‘Silent Night’, which was written by Joseph Mohr (11 December 1792 – 4 December 1848) and Franz Xaver Gruber (25 November 1787 – 7 June 1863)
‘Jingle Bells’, which was written by James Lord Pierpont (25 April 1822 – 5 August 1893)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’ (Capitol Records, 1973) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), Bobby Wayne, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Marcy Nichols, Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022), Jerry Shooks and Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek, Joe Zinkan, Ronnie Reno and Henry Strzelecki (Tuesday 8 August 1939 – Monday 29 December 2014) (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) and William Harris (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano, organ)
Jerry Whitehurst and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
Bill Puett (horns)
The recording sessions for Merle Haggard’s first Christmas album, ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’ (Capitol Records, 1973), which took place in July 1973 at Buck Owens’ studio in Bakersfield, California were the first recording sessions on which Ronnie Reno worked on with Merle Haggard.
On Monday 3 December 1973, Merle Haggard and Texas Playboys musicians, along with producer Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017), gathered together on what would be Bob Wills’ final visit to a recording studio.
This momentous occasion took place at Dallas’ Sunset Studios, with the results released on a twenty-four track double album, ‘For The Last Time’ (United Artists Records, 1973). Bob Wills then returned home where he lapsed into a coma, from which he did not recover. Bob Wills passed away on Tuesday 13 May 1975.
The recording sessions took place on Tuesday 4 December 1973; the 24-track double album, ‘For The Last Time’ (United Artists Records, 1973), which was subsequently released, on CD, by Capitol Records in 1994, included the following tracks:
‘Playboy Theme’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1 July 1899 – Saturday 23 January 1993) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard
‘Yearning (Just For You)’ (written by B. Davis and J.A. Burke) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard
‘Faded Love’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and J. Wills / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘What Makes Bob Holler’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988)
‘Stay All Night (Stay A Little Longer), which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Goin’ Away Party’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Big Balls In Cowtown’, which was written by Hoyle Nix (Friday 22 March 1918 – Wednesday 21 August 1985) / this track featured vocals from Hoyle Nix
‘Keeper of My Heart’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and J. Irby / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Twin Guitar Boogie’ / this track featured Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998) and Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988) on guitar
‘Bubbles In My Beer’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967), Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Blue Bonnet Lane’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988)
‘When You Leave Amarillo (Turn Out The Lights)’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Jody Nix
‘San Antonio Rose’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘I Wonder If You Feel The Way I Do’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard
‘My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and L. Ross / this track featured vocals from Jody Nix
‘Miss Molly’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988)
‘I Can’t Go On This Way’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) / this track featured vocals from Jody Nix
‘That’s What I Like ‘Bout The South’ (written by A. Razaf) / this track featured vocals from Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988)
‘Silver Lake Blues’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
‘Milk Cow Blues’, which was written by Kay Arnold (Monday 14 June 1926 – Monday 24 October 2005) / this track featured vocals from Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019)
‘Comin’ Down From Denver’, which was arranged and adapted by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Hoyle Nix (Friday 22 March 1918 – Wednesday 21 August 1985) / this track featured Hoyle Nix on fiddle
‘Baby, That Would Sure Go Good’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / this track featured vocals from Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988)
‘She’s Really Gone’, which was written by C. Haskins and Hoyle Nix (Friday 22 March 1918 – Wednesday 21 August 1985) / this track featured vocals from Hoyle Nix
‘Crippled Turkey’, which was arranged and adapted by Hoyle Nix (Friday 22 March 1918 – Wednesday 21 August 1985) / this track featured Hoyle Nix on fiddle
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘For The Last Time’ (United Artists Records, 1973) included the following:
Leon Rausch (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Tuesday 14 May 2019) (bass)
Jody Nix and Smokey Dacus (drums)
Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998) (electric guitar)
Hoyle Nix (Friday 22 March 1918 – Wednesday 21 August 1985), Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015), Keith Coleman and Merle Haggard (fiddle)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015), Keith Coleman and Leon McAuliffe (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988) (harmony vocals)
Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) (leader)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (mandolin)
Al Stricklin (piano)
Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017) (producer)
Leon McAuliff (Wednesday 3 January 1917 – Saturday 20 August 1988) (steel guitar)
In February 1974, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Capitol Records, 1974), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020); the title track was previously included on Merle Haggard’s 1973 Christmas album, ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’ (Capitol Records, 1973):
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974)
Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Capitol Records, 1974) also included the following tracks:
‘Love & Honor’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘To Each His Own’, which was written by Jay Livingston (28 March 1915 – Wednesday 17 October 2001) and Raymond Bernard Evans (4 February 1915 – Thursday 15 February 2007)
‘You’re The Only Girl In The Game’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘I’m An Old Old Man Tryin’ To Live While I Can’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
‘Come On Into My Arms’ (written by Marcia Nichols)
‘Better Off When I Was Hungry’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘I’ll Break Out Again Tonight’, which was written by Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘This Cold War With You’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘Uncle Lem’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘There’s Just One Way’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Kenny Seratt (Saturday 20 October 1934 – Wednesday 26 August 2015)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Capitol Records, 1974) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), Bobby Wayne, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Marcy Nichols and Ronnie Reno (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek, Joe Zinkan and Johnny Meeks (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Bill Woods (fiddle)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano, organ)
Billy Liebert and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Bill Puett (horns)
In August 1974, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Things Aren’t Funny Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1974)
‘Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1974)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974) also included the following tracks:
‘White Man Singin’ The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Traveling’, which was written by Ronnie Reno and Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987)
‘Girl Who Made Me Laugh’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001)
‘Honky Tonk Night Time Man’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Holding Things Together’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Don’t Give Up On Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘King Without A Queen’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), John Wills and Martha Dean Moore
‘It Don’t Bother Me’, which was written by Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
James Burton, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Ronnie Reno (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Chuck Berghofer and Johnny Meeks (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (mandolin)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano, organ)
Glen D. Hardin and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Bill Puett (horns)
The ‘B’ side of ‘Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) was ‘Holding Things Together’ (written by Merle Haggard), which gained a substantial amount of airplay; the track featured Ronnie Reno and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) as supporting vocalists.
1974 proved to be a pivotal year for Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006); she gave up touring with Merle Haggard in order to concentrate on family life.
In April 1975, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Keep Movin’ On’ (Capitol Records, 1975), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Kentucky Gambler’ (written by Dolly Parton) (No.1 for one week in January 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Dolly Parton, who included it on ‘The Bargain Store’ (RCA Records, 1975), an album which also included a cover of Merle Haggard’s ‘You’ll Always Be Special To Me’
‘Always Wanting You’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in April 1975) / this track, which was Merle Haggard’s way of expressing his feelings for Dolly Parton, was the first and only Billboard No.1 country music hit single to feature Louise Mandrell as a supporting vocalist
‘Movin’ On’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in July 1975) / this track was a full-length version of a song which Merle Haggard recorded as the theme song to the television series ‘Movin’ On’
Merle Haggard’s ‘Keep Movin’ On’ (Capitol Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘Life’s Like Poetry’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’ve Got A Darlin’ (For A Wife)’ (written by Merle Haggard and Ronnie Reno)
‘These Mem’ries We’re Making Tonight’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘You’ll Always Be Special To Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘September In Miami’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Here In Frisco’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’ve Got A Yearning’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Man’s Gotta Give Up A Lot’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Keep Movin’ On’ (Capitol Records, 1975) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Ronnie Reno (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Chuck Berghofer, Johnny Meeks, Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) and James Tittle (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (mandolin)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano, organ)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Don Merkham (saxophone)
It was during 1975 when Merle Haggard hosted the American television series ‘Death Valley Days’ and also made brief appearances in ‘Doc Elliot’ and ‘The Waltons’.
In February 1976, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘It’s All In The Movies’ (Capitol Records, 1976), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It’s All In The Movies’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1975)
Merle Haggard’s ‘It’s All In The Movies’ (Capitol Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Nothing’s Worse Than Losing’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘After Loving You’ (written by Merle Haggard, Ronnie Reno and Leona Williams)
‘Stingeree’ (written by Charles Singleton and Larry Coleman) / this track was intended to be included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973)
‘I Know An Ending When It Comes’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘This Is The Song We Sing’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Living With The Shades Pulled Down’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Hag’s Dixie Blues, No.2’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was intended to be included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973)
‘Let’s Stop Pretending’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Cotton Patch Blues’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Billy Joe Moore
‘The Seeker’ (written by Dolly Parton)
In July 1976, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘My Love Affair With Trains’ (Capitol Records, 1976), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Here Comes The Freedom Train’ (written by Stephen H. Lemberg) (No.10 in early July 1976)
Merle Haggard’s ‘My Love Affair With Trains’ (Capitol Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘My Love Affair With Trains’ (written by Dolly Parton)
‘Union Station’ (written by Ronnie Reno)
‘So Long Train Whistle’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Lew Quadling
‘Silver Ghost’ (written by Sterling Whipple)
‘No More Trains To Ride’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Coming & The Going of The Trains’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘I Won’t Give Up My Train’, which was written by Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020)
‘Where Have All the Hobos Gone’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Danny Morrison
‘Railroad Lady’, which was written by Jimmy Buffett and Jerry Jeff Walker (Monday 16 March 1942 – Friday 24 October 2020)
‘Hobo’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
In November 1976, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Roots of My Raising’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for one week in March 1976)
‘Cherokee Maiden’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) (No.1 for one week in November 1976) / this track was actually a two-sided hit; the ‘B’ side, ‘What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana’, was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), who, at the time, was a member of Merle Haggard’s band, The Strangers
On Wednesday 10 November 1976, some four days after ‘Cherokee Maiden’ became No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart, Merle Haggard’s second wife, Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), filed for divorce.
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Waltz You Saved For Me’ (written by Gus Kahn, Wayne King and Emil Flindt)
‘Walk On The Outside’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Chuck Howard
‘Gambling Polka Dot Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Roy E. Hall
‘Am I Standing In Your Way’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Colorado’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Mississippi Delta Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Jack Neville
In 2002, Merle Haggard’s ‘My Love Affair With Trains’ (Capitol Records, 1976), was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976), as a special ‘2-on-1’ CD set.
It was also in 1976 when Merle Haggard made a special guest appearance, as the character Red Turner, in Episode 5 of Season 5 of ‘The Waltons’; the episode was called ‘The Comeback’ and featured Merle Haggard performing, as Red Turner, ‘Nobody’s Darling But Mine’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000).
On Monday 11 April 1977, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Songs I’ll Always Sing’ (Capitol Records, 1977), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included the following tracks:
‘Okie From Muskogee’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for three weeks in March / April 1970)
‘The Emptiest Arms In The World’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, May 1973)
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1968)
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.5, 1966)
‘Uncle Lem’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in 1969)
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1968)
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was not released as a single
‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) (No.19, 1963)
‘Honky Tonk Night Time Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single
‘Kentucky Gambler’ (written by Dolly Parton) (No.1 for one week in January 1975)
‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Casey Anderson (No.1 for one week in March 1967)
‘Things Aren’t Funny Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1974)
‘Daddy Frank (Guitar Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in November / December 1971)
‘I Forget You Everyday’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973), and was not released as a single / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Heroes have Always been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014)
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1969)
‘Love & Honor’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single
‘Branded Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1, Saturday 2 September 1967)
‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1971)
‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1969)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Songs I’ll Always Sing’ (Capitol Records, 1977) reached No.15 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In May 1977, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977), which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010); the album was Merle Haggard’s first album for MCA Records, following a successful twelve years (1965 – 1977) with Capitol Records.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977) included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘If We’re Not Back In Love By Monday’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) and Sonny Throckmorton (No.2, 1977)
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1977)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again’ (written by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan) / this track was the B-side of ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard), which reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘Ghost Story’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘Set Me Free’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘Love Somebody To Death’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘I Think It’s Gone Forever’ (written by Merle Haggard and Leona Williams)
‘Ain’t Your Memory Got No Pride At All’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), Boyce Porter and Bucky Jones
‘My Love For You’ (written by Jeannie Seely)
‘Last Letter’, which was written by Rex Griffin (Monday 12 August 1912 – Sunday 11 October 1959)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977), which reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977, was re-issued on CD, in 2002.
In September 1977, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (Capitol Records, 1977).
Although Merle Haggard had moved to the roster at MCA Records, his previous record label, Capitol Records, created the ‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (Capitol Records, 1977) release, utilizing tracks which had been recorded in 1975 and 1976; the album, which was produced by Kenneth F. ‘Ken’ Nelson (19 January 1911 – Sunday 6 January 2008) and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), included the following tracks:
‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was released as a promotional single in 1977, reaching No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Making Believe’, which was written by Jimmy Work (Saturday 29 March 1924 – Saturday 22 December 2018)
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’, which was written by Alton Delmore (Friday 25 December 1908 – Monday 8 June 1964), Rabon Delmore, Henry Glover and Wayne Raney
‘Got A Letter From My Kid’, which was written by Alex Kramer, Joan Whitney and Hyman Harry Zaritsky (21 August 1907 – Monday 2 July 2007)
‘When My Last Song Is Sung’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Moanin’ The Blues’, which was written by by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Goodbye Lefty’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Blues For Dixie’ (written by O. W. Mayo)
‘Running Kind’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’m A White Boy’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Merle Haggard’s ‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (Capitol Records, 1977) reached No.28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In October 1977, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977), which was produced by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘From Graceland To The Promised Land’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.4, 1977)
Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘In The Ghetto’, which was written by Mac Davis (Wednesday 21 January 1942 – Tuesday 29 September 2020)
‘Don’t Be Cruel’, which was written by Otis Blackwell (Monday 16 February 1931 – Monday 6 May 2002) and Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977)
‘Jailhouse Rock’, which was written by Jerome ‘Jerry’ Leiber (Tuesday 25 April 1933 – Monday 22 August 2011) and Mike Stoller
‘Love Me Tender’, which was written by Vera Matson and Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977)
‘That’s All Right’, which was written by Arthur Crudup (Thursday 24 August 1905 – Thursday 28 March 1974)
‘Heartbreak Hotel’, which was written by Mae Boren Axton (Monday 14 September 1914 – Wednesday 9 April 1997), Tommy Durden (Monday 15 December 1919 – Sunday 17 October 1999) and Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977)
‘Blue Christmas’ (written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson)
‘Blue Suede Shoes’, which was written by Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998)
‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ (written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman)
‘Merle’s Farewell To Elvis’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) (bass)
Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015) (steel guitar, Dobro)
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (electric guitar)
Thomas Bailey ‘Bunky’ Keels (Thursday 11 January 1934 – Monday 29 November 2004) (piano)
Sheldon ‘Shelly’ Kurland (Saturday 9 June 1928 – Wednesday 6 January 2010) Strings (strings)
The Jordanaires (backing vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977) reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977, and No.133 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1977.
In 2008, England’s Hump Head Country released Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country, 2008) (catalogue number: HUMP017); the collection brought together some of Merle Haggard’s best loved songs, together with a selection of songs associated with Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977).
Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country, 2008) included recordings which Merle Haggard recorded for MCA Records between 1977 and 1981, when he achieved no less than 11 Billboard country music Top 10 singles for MCA Records.
Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country, 2008) also included tracks from Merle Haggard’s Elvis Presley tribute album, ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977), which was released just a few weeks after ‘The King’ had passed away, on Tuesday 16 August 1977.
In January 1978, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Eleven Winners’ (Capitol Records, 1978), which included the following tracks:
‘It’s All In The Movies’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1975)
‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) (No.1 for one week in November 1972)
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1973)
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974) / this track also reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973, No.30 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart in 1973, and No.37 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1973
‘Always Wanting You’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in April 1975) / this track, which was Merle Haggard’s way of expressing his feelings for Dolly Parton, was the first and only Billboard No.1 country music hit single to feature Louise Mandrell as a supporting vocalist
‘Carolyn’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for three weeks in January / February 1972)
‘You’ll Always Be Special To Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Keep Movin’ On’ (Capitol Records, 1975), and was not released as a single
‘Movin’ On’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in July 1975) / this track was a full-length version of a song which Merle Haggard recorded as the theme song to the television series ‘Movin’ On’
‘Holding Things Together’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single
‘Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1974)
‘I’ve Got A Yearning’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Keep Movin’ On’ (Capitol Records, 1975), and was not released as a single
Merle Haggard’s ‘Eleven Winners’ (Capitol Records, 1978) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
In June 1978, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (MCA Records, 1978), which was produced by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (written by Chuck Howard) (No.2, 1978)
‘It’s Been A Great Afternoon’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1978)
Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (MCA Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Love Me When You Can’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘There Won’t Be Another Now’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurtin’ Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Life of A Rodeo Cowboy’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Jeannie Seely
‘There Ain’t No Good Chain Gang’, which was written by Hal Bynum (Saturday 29 September 1934 – Thursday 2 June 2022) and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Dream’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Immigrant’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Mama, I’ve Got To Go To Memphis’ (written by Leona Williams)
Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (MCA Records, 1978) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
In September 1978, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Way It Was In ’51’ (Capitol Records, 1978), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Way It Was in ’51’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.82, 1978) / this track, which was recorded in August 1975 at Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, California, was released as a promotional single, and also reached No.58 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way It Was in ’51’ (Capitol Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Moanin’ The Blues’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track was recorded in March 1972 at Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California
‘My Heart Would Know’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track was recorded in August 1971 at ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement Recording Studio in Nashville
‘Lovesick Blues’, which was written by Irving Mills (16 January 1894 – Sunday 21 April 1985) and Cliff Friend (1 October 1893 – Thursday 27 June 1974) / this track was recorded in March 1972 at Buck Owens Studios in Bakersfield, California
‘I Saw The Light’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track was recorded in July 1971 at Union Rescue Mission in Nashville
‘Mom & Dad’s Waltz’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) / this track was recorded in November 1967 at Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, California
‘It Meant Goodbye To Me (When She Said Hello To Him)’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Abe Mulkey / this track was recorded in August 1968 at Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, California
‘I’m An Old Old Man (Tryin’ To Live While I Can)’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) / this track was recorded in August 1975 at Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, California
‘Goodbye Lefty’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was recorded in August 1975 at Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, California
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way It Was In ’51’ (Capitol Records, 1978) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Chip Young (Thursday 19 May 1938 – Saturday 20 December 2014), Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005), Bobby Wayne, Jody Payne and Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Dennis Hromek, Howard Lowe, Leon Copeland and Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Glenn D. Hardin, Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022), Jerry Smith and George French (piano)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way It Was In ’51’ (Capitol Records, 1978) reached No.30 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
It was also in 1978 when Merle Haggard played the part of Cisco Calendar in ‘Centennial’, a twelve-episode American television mini-series, which was aired on NBC between Monday 2 October 1978 and Sunday 4 February 1979; the series was based on the novel of the same name by James A. Michener (Sunday 3 February 1907 – Thursday 16 October 1997).
On Saturday 7 October 1978, Merle Haggard married Leona Belle Williams, his third wife; Merle’s second wife, Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) served as a bridesmaid at the ceremony.
In late October 1978, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Bull & The Beaver’, a non-album track, which reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart, and was a duet with Leona Williams.
On Friday 18 May 1979, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979), which was produced by Jimmy Bowen and Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Red Bandana’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.4, 1979) / the ‘B-side’ of this single, which was ‘I Must Have Done Something Bad’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), also charted
‘My Own Kind of Hat’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (No.4, 1979) / the ‘B-side’ of this single, which was ‘Heaven Was A Drink of Wine’, which was written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), also charted
Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘Footlights’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Got Lonely Too Early (This Morning)’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Driftwood’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Can’t Get Away’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Didn’t Mean To Love You’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Sing A Family Song’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Roses In The Winter’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1979.
In April 1980, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980), which was produced by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020), Donald W. Gant (Saturday 24 October 1942 – Sunday 15 March 1987) and Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Way I Am’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton) (No.2, 1980)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Sky-Bo’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘No One To Sing For (But The Band)’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Remember Me (I’m The One Who Loves You)’, which was written by Stuart Hamblen (Tuesday 20 October 1908 – Wednesday 8 March 1989)
‘Life’s Just Not The Way It Used To Be’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Wake Up’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Where Have You Been’ (written by Leona Williams)
‘Take Me Back & Try Me One More Time’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
‘I’ll Always Be Glad To Take You Back’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
‘It Makes No Difference Now’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘It’s Been So Long, Darling’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980) reached No.16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.
On Monday 21 April 1980, Merle Haggard saw the release, on Elektra Records, of ‘Bar Room Buddies’, which was written by Milton Brown, Cliff Crofford (Thursday 12 December 1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009), Steve Dorff and Tommy ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015).
Merle Haggard’s recording of ‘Bar Room Buddies’ was a duet with actor, Clint Eastwood, and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July / August 1980; the track, which was featured on the soundtrack of the Warner Bros. film, ‘Bronco Billy’, which starred, and was directed by, Clint Eastwood, featured Merle Haggard, who appeared as himself.
On Friday 10 October 1980, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), which was produced by Jimmy Bowen, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Misery & Gin’, which was written by John Durrill and Snuff Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) (No.3, 1980) / this track was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, ‘Bronco Billy’, in 1980, in which Merle Haggard had a cameo role, appearing as himself
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in January 1981)
‘Leonard’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.9, 1981) / this track was a tribute to Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), whose real name was Leonard Sipes
Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Back To The Barrooms Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Make-Up & Faded Blue Jeans’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Ever-Changing Woman’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (written by Ian Sutherland)
‘I Don’t Want To Sober Up Tonight’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Can’t Break The Habit’ (written by Merle Haggard and Leona Williams)
‘Our Paths May Never Cross’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Don’t Have Any More Love Songs’ (written by Hank Williams Jr.)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980) included the following:
Merle Haggard (lead guitar, vocals)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (guitar)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle, mandolin)
Norman Hamlet (pedal steel guitar)
Jerry Kroon, Bob Gallardo and Larrie Londin (Friday October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) (drums)
Don Markham (trumpet, saxophone)
Larry Muhoberac (keyboards)
Joe Osborn (bass)
In July 1981, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Rainbow Stew Live At Anaheim Stadium’ (MCA Records, 1981), which boasted of an augmented Strangers, with former Texas Playboys Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998), Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) and Gordon Terry (Wednesday 7 October 1931 – Sunday 9 April 2006), along with a horn section filling out the band’s sound, the result of which was a wonderful, swing album.
In 1981, Merle Haggard moved from MCA Records to Epic Records.
However, Merle Haggard still owed MCA Records two albums and, ‘Rainbow Stew Live At Anaheim Stadium’ (MCA Records, 1981), along with the gospel album, ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981), fulfilled his contractual obligations.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Rainbow Stew Live At Anaheim Stadium’ (MCA Records, 1981) was produced by Merle Haggard and was recorded in October 1980; the album included the following tracks:
‘Misery & Gin’, which was written by John Durrill and Snuff Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart un 1980, and was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, ‘Bronco Billy’, in 1980, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, and in which Merle Haggard had a cameo role, appearing as himself
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1981
‘Back To The Barrooms Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
‘Our Paths May Never Cross’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
Medley
‘The Running Kind’, which was written by Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 – Monday 26 November 2018) and Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) / the original version of this track was released as a promotional single in 1978, reaching No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978, and No.10 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March 1967
‘Rainbow Stew’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.4, 1981)
‘Blue Yodel No. 9 (Standin’ On The Corner)’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Dealing With The Devil’, which was written by Eddy Raven and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer(Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Fiddle Breakdown’
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in January / February 1968
In the Autumn / Fall of 1981, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Sing Me Back Home’, a frank autobiography, which was written with Peggy Russell, and was published by Times Books.
In September 1981, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981), a Gospel album, which was produced by Merle Haggard, and was Merle Haggard’s last principal release on MCA Records, having signed a recording contract with Epic Records.
The title of the album, ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981), alluded to Merle Haggard’s 1968 song, ‘Mama Tried’ (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1968), a song which became a cornerstone of his country music career.
On Monday 8 November 1971, Merle Haggard saw the release of a double ‘live’ Gospel album, ‘The Land of Many Churches’ (Capitol Records, 1971), but ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981) was dedicated to Merle Haggard’s mother, Flossie, who was 79 years old when she posed with Merle Haggard on the cover of the album.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981) included the following tracks:
‘When God Comes & Gathers His Jewels’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Suppertime’, which was written by Ira Forest Stanphill (14 February 1914 – Thursday 30 December 1993)
‘He Walks With Me (In The Garden)’, which was written by Charles Austin Miles (7 January 1868 – Sunday 10 March 1946) and Robert Hebble
‘Softly & Tenderly’, which was written by William Lamartine Thompson (7 November 1847 – 20 September 1909)
‘Why Me’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024)
‘Where No One Stands Alone’, which was written by Thomas Mosie Lister (Thursday 8 September 1921 – Thursday 12 February 2015)
‘One Day At A Time’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) and Marijohn Wilkin (Wednesday 14 July 1920 – Saturday 28 October 2006)
‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’, which was written by Joseph Medlicott Scriven (10 September 1819 – 10 August 1886), Charles Crozat Converse (7 October 1832 – Friday 18 October 1918) and Sid Feller
‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ (traditional)
‘The Old Rugged Cross’, which was written by George Bennard)
‘Keep On The Sunny Side’, which was written by Alvin Pleasant (A.P.) Delaney Carter (15 December 1891 – Monday 7 November 1960)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (lead guitar)
Ronnie Reno (rhythm guitar)
Kemo Kemolian (fiddle, lead guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Gordon Terry (Wednesday 7 October 1931 – Sunday 9 April 2006) (fiddle)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) and Leona Williams (backing vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Songs For The Mama That Tried’ (MCA Records, 1981) reached No.46 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981; the album did not yield any hit singles and was not a big seller.
It was also in 1981 when Merle Haggard signed a new, lucrative recording contract with Epic Records, and saw the release, in October 1981, of ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981), his first album for the label, after ending his association with MCA Records.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981), which was produced by Merle Haggard, was recorded in a two-day marathon recording session, which produced enough songs for this album, plus Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982).
Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981) included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘My Favorite Memory’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1981)
‘Big City’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway) (No.1 for one week in April 1982)
‘Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1982) / this track won the Academy of Country Music (ACM) ‘Song of The Year’ Award in 1982
Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘Good Old American Guest’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Think I’m Gonna Live Forever’ (written by B. Binion, Merle Haggard and Dennis Hromek)
‘This Song is Mine’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Stop The World & Let Me Off’, which was written by Carl Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 – Wednesday 31 October 1990) and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978)
‘Texas Fiddle Song’ (written by Leona Williams)
‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016) / this track was a re-recording / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Branded Man’ (Capitol Records, 1967)
‘I Always Get Lucky With You’, which was written by Tex Whitson, Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Gary Church / this track was also recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1983), who included it on ‘Shine On’ (Epic Records, 1983)
‘Call Me’ (un-credited) / this track was one of two bonus tracks, which were included on the CD re-issue of Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981)
‘I Won’t Give Up My Train’, which was written by Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) / this track, which was one of two bonus tracks, which were included on the CD re-issue of Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981), was a duet with Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981) included the following:
Merle Haggard (guitar, vocals)
Jimmy Belkin (fiddle)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Bobby Wayne (guitar, background vocals)
Leona Williams (background vocals)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Slyde Hyde (trombone)
Don Markham (trumpet, saxophone)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981) reached No.3 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in 1981, and No.161 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart in 1981.
In 2011, Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982), as a special ‘2-on-1’ CD set.
In August 1982, Merle Haggard & George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) saw the release of ‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (Epic Records, 1982), the first album that they recorded together; their next album project together, ‘Kickin’ Out The Footlights…Again’ (Records, 2006), would not be released until 2006., some 24 years later.
Merle Haggard & George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) were both largely influenced by the traditional country music sounds of Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) and Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975).
Merle Haggard & George Jones‘ ‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (Epic Records, 1982), which was produced by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and featured backing vocals from Merle Haggard’s then wife, Leona Williams, included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (written by Willie Nelson) (No.1 for one week in October 1982)
‘C.C. Waterback’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.10, 1982) / to celebrate the chart success of this track, Merle Haggard bought 5.095 C.C. Waterbacks (Canadian Club with a water chaser) at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worrth, Texas; it took forty gallons of whiskey to fill the order, which totalled $12,737.50
Merle Haggard & George Jones‘ ‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (Epic Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘After I Sing All My Songs’ (written by Leona Williams)
‘I Think I’ve Found A Way’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Brothers’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Mobile Bay’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘Silver Eagle’, which was written by Gary Church and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) / this track was a tribute to Merle Haggard
‘Must’ve Been Drunk’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘I Haven’t Found Her Yet’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003)
‘No Show Jones’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) / this track dealt with George Jones‘ notorious inability to arrive at concert dates, and received a large amount of album airplay
Merle Haggard & George Jones‘ ‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (Epic Records, 1982) reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982, and No.123 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1982.
In November 1982, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Lewis Talley, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in January 1983)
‘You Take Me For Granted’ (written by Leona Williams) (No.1 for one week in May / June 1983)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where the Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982), which was recorded during the same recording sessions which produced ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981), also included the following tracks:
‘Why Am I Drinking’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If I Had Left It Up To You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Won’t Give Up My Train’, which was written by Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020)
‘Someday You’re Gonna Need Your Friends Again’ (written by Leona Williams)
‘Shopping For Dresses’, which was written by Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) and Merle Haggard
‘Half A Man’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘For All I Know’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Nobody’s Darlin’ But Mine’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000)
‘Now I Know Why I’m Drinking’ / this track was listed as a ‘hidden track’
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where the Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982) included the following:
Merle Haggard (guitar, vocals)
Jimmy Belkin (fiddle)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (guitar, harmonica)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Bobby Wayne (guitar, background vocals)
Leona Williams (background vocals)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
In 2011, Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981), as a special ‘2-on-1’ CD set.
It was also in November 1982 when Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Goin’ Home For Christmas’ (Epic Records, 1982), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), and included the following tracks:
‘Going Home For Christmas’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Grandma’s Homemade Christmas Card’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town’, which was written by John Frederick Coots (2 May 1897 – Monday 8 April 1985) and James Lamont ‘Haven’ Gillespie (6 February 1888 – Friday 14 March 1975)
‘Santa Claus & Popcorn’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Daddy Won’t Be Home Again For Christmas’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s first Christmas album, ‘Merle Haggard’s Christmas Present’ (Capitol Records, 1973), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974; the track also reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973, No.30 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart in 1973, and No.37 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1973
‘Bobby Wants A Puppy Dog For Christmas’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer’, which was written by Johnny Marks (Wednesday 10 November 1909 – Tuesday 3 September 1985)
‘Blue Christmas’ (written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson)
‘Lonely Night’, which was written by M. L. Butler and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Goin’ Home For Christmas’ (Epic Records, 1982) reached No.41 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Goin’ Home For Christmas’ (Epic Records, 1982) was re-issued by Epic Records in 1984 with a completely different album sleeve. Subsequent re-issues reverted to variations of the original album sleeve, but with a bonus track, ‘White Christmas’, added; this extra track was recorded in 1986, and released in 1988, on the various artist collection, ‘Nashville’s Greatest Christmas Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1988).
In December 1982, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Merle Haggard’s Greatest Hits’ (MCA Records, 1982), which included the following tracks:
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in January 1981)
‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (written by Chuck Howard) (No.2, 1978)
‘Red Bandana’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.4, 1979)
‘The Way I Am’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton) (No.2, 1980)
‘It’s Been A Great Afternoon’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1978)
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1977)
‘Misery & Gin’, which was written by John Durrill and Snuff Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) (No.3, 1980) / this track was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, ‘Bronco Billy’ in 1980, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, and in which Merle Haggard had a cameo role, appearing as himself
‘My Own Kind of Hat’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (No.4, 1979)
‘If We’re Not Back In Love By Monday’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) and Sonny Throckmorton) (No.2, 1977)
‘Rainbow Stew’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.4, 1981)
In January 1983, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983), a duet album with Willie Nelson, which was produced by Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016); the album was a blockbuster release and helped to establish Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson as two of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed artists of the country music genre.
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) was recorded, over a five-day period, at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio in Spicewood, Texas in November 1982.
One night, around midnight, Willie Nelson’s daughter, Lana, brought a copy of Emmylou Harris’ ‘Luxury Liner’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) to the recording studio and, upon hearing Townes Van Zandt’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’, both Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson decided to record the track.
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Reasons To Quit’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.6, 1983)
‘Pancho & Lefty’, which was written by Townes Van Zandt (Tuesday 7 March 1944 – Wednesday 1 January 1997) (No.1 for one week in July 1983)
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘It’s My Lazy Day’, which was written by Lester Alvin Burnett (Smiley Burnette) (18 March 1911 – Thursday 16 February 1967)
‘My Mary’, which was written by Stuart Hamblen (Tuesday 20 October 1908 – Wednesday 8 March 1989) and Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000)
‘Half A Man’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘No Reason To Quit’ (written by Dean Holloway)
‘Still Water Runs The Deepest’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
‘My Life’s Been A Pleasure’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
‘All The Soft Places To Fall’ (written by Leona Williams)
‘Opportunity To Cry’ (written by Willie Nelson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) included the following:
Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar)
Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019), Lewis Talley, Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016) and Johnny Christopher (guitar)
Mike Leech (bass)
Gene Chrisman (drums)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle, mandolin)
Bobby Emmons and Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Mickey Raphael (harmonica)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
The first shipment of Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) is now a collector’s item; through a printing error, the ‘a’ in ‘Pancho’ came out as an ‘o’.
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983, and No.37 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1983.
In 2003, Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Pancho & Lefty’ (Epic Records, 1983) was re-issued with the following bonus tracks:
‘Half A Man’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘My Own Peculiar Way’ (written by Willie Nelson)
In 1983, just weeks after they had divorced following five years of marriage (1978 – 1983), Merle Haggard & Leona Williams, backed by The Strangers, saw the release of ‘Heart To Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1983), for which Merle Haggard had to obtain permission from Epic Records to record with Leona Williams, who was signed to Mercury Records at the time.
Merle Haggard & Leona Williams‘ ‘Heart To Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1983), which was produced by Merle Haggard, included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘We’re Stranger’s Again’ (written by Merle Haggard and Leona Williams)
Merle Haggard & Leona Williams‘ ‘Heart To Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Heart To Heart Talk’ (written by Lee Ross)
‘Let’s Pretend We’re Not Married Tonight’ (written by Merle Haggard and Leona Williams)
‘You Can’t Break The Chains of Love’, which was written by Lewis Porter, Franklin Tableporter and Jimmy Wakely (Monday 16 February 1914 – Thursday 23 September 1982)
‘Waltz Across Texas’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
‘Waitin’ On The Good Life To Come’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Don’t Ever Let Your Lover Sleep Alone’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘It’s Cold In California’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘I’ll Never Be Free’, which was written by Bennie Benjamin (Monday 4 November 1907 – Tuesday 2 May 1989) and George David Weiss (Saturday 9 April 1921 – Monday 23 August 2010)
‘Sally, Let Your Bangs Hang Down’, which was written by Rose Maddox (Saturday 15 August 1925 – Wednesday 15 April 1998)
Merle Haggard & Leona Williams‘ ‘Heart To Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1983) reached No.44 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In August 1983, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (Epic Records, 1983), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Ray Baker, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘What Am I Gonna Do (With The Rest of My Life)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1983)
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) (No.1 for one week in February 1984) / At the Grammy Awards of 1985, Merle Haggard’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (Epic Records, 1983) won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Male Country Vocal Performance’
Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), and included the track on ‘The Legendary Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1973).
Johnny Rodriguez recorded ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), and included the track on ‘All I Ever Meant To Do Was Sing’ (Mercury Records, 1973); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1974).
‘Someday When Things Are Good’ (written by Leona Williams and Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in June 1984)
Merle Haggard’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (Epic Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘(I’m Gonna Paint Me) A Bed of Roses’ (written by Merle Haggard and Bobby Whitson)
‘Carryin’ Fire’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Don’t Seem Like We’ve Been Together All Our Lives’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If You Hated Me’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Dean Holloway
‘Love Will Find You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Last Boat of The Day’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘I Think I’ll Stay’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (Epic Records, 1983) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019), Greg Galbraith, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Dennis Hromek and Mike Leach (bass)
Gene Chrisman, Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) and Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Jimmy Balken (fiddle)
Bobby Wood and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (keyboards)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
Don Markham (horns)
It was also in August 1983 when Moe Bandy saw the release of ‘Devoted To Your Memory’ (Columbia Records, 1983); one of the included tracks was ‘Don’t Sing Me No Songs About Texas’ (written by Merle Haggard and Leona Williams), which was a duet with Merle Haggard.
In late 1983, Leona Williams filed for divorce from Merle Haggard.
Leona Williams then moved back to Vienna, Missouri where she lived on a farm with her new husband, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), a former member of Merle Haggard’s band, The Strangers.
In November 1983, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Epic Collection: Recorded Live’ (Epic Records, 1983), which was produced by Merle Haggard, and was a ‘live’ album, on which Merle Haggard was backed by The Strangers.
The album title was misleading as Merle Haggard had only been with Epic Records for two years in 1983, so the recording leans heavily on his Capitol Records-era tracks, including the following:
‘Honky Tonk Night Time Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single, and ‘The Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1974
‘Holding Things Together’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single
‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), and reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963
‘Every Fool Has A Rainbow’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was not released as a single
‘Blue Yodel No.5’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Same Train, A Different Time’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was not released as a single
‘Trouble In Mind’ (written by Richard M. Jones)
‘Things Aren’t Funny Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1974
‘(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) (No.10, 1964) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), and reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964
‘I Always Get Lucky With You’, which was written by Tex Whitson, Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Gary Church / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (Epic Records, 1981), and was not released as a single / this track was also recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), who included it on ‘Shine On’ (Epic Records, 1983); George Jones‘ version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July / August 1983
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1969
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Epic Collection: Recorded Live’ (Epic Records, 1983) reached No.28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In June 1984, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘It’s All In The Game’ (Epic Records, 1984), which was produced by Ray Baker, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Let’s Chase Each Other Around The Room’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Sherill Rodgers (No.1 for one week in September 1984)
‘A Place To Fall Apart’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Willie Nelson (No.1 for one week in February 1985) / this track featured guest vocals from Janie Fricke
‘Natural High’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (No.1 for one week in June 1985) / this track featured background vocals from Janie Fricke
Merle Haggard’s ‘It’s All In The Game’ (Epic Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘It’s All In The Game’ (written by Carl Sigman and Charles Dawes)
‘Little Hotel Room’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘I Never Go Home Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘All I Want To Do Is Sing My Song’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Thank Heaven For Little Girls’ (written by Alan Lenner and Frederick Loewe)
‘To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before’, which was written by Hal David (Wednesday 25 May 1921 – Saturday 1 September 2012) and Albert Hammond
‘You Really Lose Your Mind’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘It’s All In The Game’ (Epic Records, 1984) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (mandolin)
Mike Leech (bass)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Jim Belkin (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (piano, keyboards)
Don Markham (sax)
Janie Fricke (vocals)
In August 1984, Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004) saw the release of ‘Friendship’ (Columbia Records, 1984); one of the included tracks was ‘Little Hotel Room’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016), and was a duet with Merle Haggard.
In 2005, Ray Charles’ ‘Friendship’ (Columbia Records, 1984) was re-issued by Columbia Records / Legacy Records.
In September 1984, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘His Epic Hits: The First 11’ (Epic Records, 1984), which included the following tracks:
‘Reasons To Quit’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.6, 1983)
‘You Take Me For Granted’ (written by Leona Williams) (No.1 for one week in May / June 1983)
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer(Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) (No.1 for one week in February 1984)
‘Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1982)
‘Big City’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway) (No.1 for one week in April 1982)
‘Pancho & Lefty’, which was written by Townes Van Zandt (Tuesday 7 March 1944 – Wednesday 1 January 1997) (No.1 for one week in July 1983)
‘Someday When Things Are Good’ (written by Leona Williams and Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in June 1984)
‘What Am I Gonna Do (With The Rest of My Life)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1983)
‘My Favorite Memory’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1981)
‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in January 1983)
‘C.C. Waterback’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.10, 1982)
Merle Haggard’s ‘His Epic Hits: The First 11’ (Epic Records, 1984) reached No.41 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
In March 1985, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Kern River’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was produced by Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Kern River’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.10, 1985)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Kern River’ (Epic Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You’ (written by Rosemary Patricia ‘Pebe’ Sebert and Hugh Moffatt)
‘There I’ve Said It Again’ (written by Redd Evans and Dave Mann)
‘You Don’t Love Me Anymore’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Natural High’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) / this track featured background vocals from Janie Fricke
‘Big Butter & Egg Man’, which was written by Percy Venable and Louis Armstrong (Sunday 4 August 1901 – Tuesday 6 July 1971)
‘Ridin’ High’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Dean Reynolds
‘There’s Somebody Else On Your Mind’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Wonder Where I’ll Find You At Tonight’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘There Won’t Be Another Now’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Old Watermill’ (written by B.H. Harris)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Kern River’ (Epic Records, 1985) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001) (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano, keyboards)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Jim Belkin (fiddle)
Don Markham (sax, trumpet, horns)
Janie Fricke (vocals)
In 2011, Merle Haggard’s ‘Kern River’ (Epic Records, 1985) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Amber Waves of Grain’ (Epic Records, 1985).
In October 1985, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Amber Waves of Grain’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was a ‘live’ album recorded during the Summer 1985 at The Holiday Star Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana and Bob Devaney Sports Complex in Lincoln, NE.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Amber Waves of Grain’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014), included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Amber Waves of Grain’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (No.36, 1985)
‘American Waltz’, which was written by Troy Seals, John Greenbaum and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020) (No.60, 1985)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Amber Waves Of Grain’ (Epic Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Tulare Dust’ and ‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Okie From Muskogee’s Comin’ Home’ and ‘Okie From Muskogee’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Gone With The Wind’ (written by Dennis Barney)
‘I Wish Things Were Simple Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and Pate Russell
‘Workin’ Man Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) and ‘Always Late (With Your Kisses)’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Blackie Crafford
Merle Haggard’s ‘Amber Waves Of Grain’ (Epic Records, 1985) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
In 2011, Merle Haggard’s ‘Amber Waves of Grain’ (Epic Records, 1985) was re-issued by BGO Records (7 St Andrews Street, North Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1TZ, England), along with Merle Haggard’s ‘Kern River’ (Epic Records, 1985), as a special 2-for-1 album release.
In March 1986, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘A Friend In California’ (Epic Records, 1986), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Ron ‘Snake’ Reynolds, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Had A Beautiful Time’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.5, 1986)
‘A Friend In California’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (No.9, 1986)
Merle Haggard’s ‘A Friend In California’ (Epic Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘This Time I Really Do’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Texas’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘This Cold War With You’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘Okie From Muskogee’s Comin’ Home’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Mama’s Prayer’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Silverthorn Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘This Song Is For You’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Mary Lou Powers
‘Thank You For Keeping My House’ (written by Merle Haggard and Debbie Parret)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘A Friend In California’ (Epic Records, 1986) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Clint Strong (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano, keyboards)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Jim Belkin (fiddle)
Don Markham (sax, trumpet)
Gary Church (trumpet, trombone)
Donna Faye and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (vocals)
In October 1986, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Out Among The Stars’ (Epic Records, 1986), which was produced by Merle Haggard, Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015), Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014), Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020) and Ray Baker; the album was the result of songs consisting of left-over tracks from Merle Haggard’s days with MCA Records, tracks which were bought by Epic Records.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Out Among The Stars’ (Epic Records, 1986) included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Out Among The Stars’ (written by Adam Mitchell) (No.21, 1986) / this track was newly recorded for this album
‘Almost Persuaded’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007) (No.58, 1987) / this track was newly recorded for this album
Merle Haggard’s ‘Out Among The Stars’ (Epic Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘My Life’s Been Grand’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Gordon Terry (Wednesday 7 October 1931 – Sunday 9 April 2006)
‘Love Keeps Hanging On’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Why Can’t I Cry’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Love Don’t Hurt Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Pennies From Heaven’, which was written by John Francis Burke (3 October 1908 – Tuesday 25 February 1964) and Arthur Johnston (10 January 1898 – Saturday 1 May 1954)
‘Tell Me Something Bad About Tulsa’, which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘The Show’s Almost Over’ (written by Chuck Howard) / this track was newly recorded for this album
‘Bleachers’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Susie’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Out Among The Stars’ (Epic Records, 1986) included the following:
Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and Clint Strong (guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Dennis Hromek (bass)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano, keyboards)
Billie ‘Tiny’ Moore (Wednesday 12 May 1920 – Tuesday 15 December 1987) (fiddle, mandolin)
Jim Belkin (fiddle)
Don Markham (sax, trumpet)
Gary Church (trumpet, trombone)
Donna Faye and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Out Among The Stars’ (Epic Records, 1986) reached No.15 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
In September 1987, Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson saw the release of ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘If I Could Only Fly’, which was written by Blaze Foley (Sunday 18 December 1949 – Wednesday 1 February 1989) (No.58, 1987)
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ (Epic Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Without You On My Side’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘When Times Were Good’ (written by David Jones)
‘Jimmy The Broom’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Yesterday’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney
‘Shotgun & A Pistol’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Love Makes A Fool of Us All’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019)
‘Why Do I Have To Choose’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ (Epic Records, 1987) reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
In October 1987, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Chill Factor’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Ken Suesov, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in February 1988) / this track was Merle Haggard’s last No.1 hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘Chill Factor’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.9, 1988)
‘We Never Touch At All’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) (No.22, 1988)
‘You Babe’, which was written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer(Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)(No.23, 1988)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Chill Factor’ (Epic Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Man From Another Time’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Thanking The Good Lord’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘After Dark’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘1929’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Thirty Again’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Don’t Have Any Love Around’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘More Than This Old Heart Can Take’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Dean Holloway
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Chill Factor’ (Epic Records, 1987) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar, background vocals)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Jim Belken (fiddle)
Gary Church (trombone)
Steve Gibson, Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), Clint Strong and Bobby Wayne (guitar)
Norm Hamlet (Dobro, pedal steel guitar)
Jim Haas, Jon Joice and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (background vocals)
Mike Leech (bass)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (keyboards)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Chill Factor’ (Epic Records, 1987) reached No.8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
It was also in 1987 when Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Very Best of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1987), which included the following tracks:
‘Always Wanting You’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in April 1975) / this track, which was Merle Haggard’s way of expressing his feelings for Dolly Parton, was the first and only Billboard No.1 country music hit single to feature Louise Mandrell as a supporting vocalist
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1973)
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974) / this track also reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973, No.30 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart in 1973, and No.37 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1973
‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) (No.1 for one week in November 1972)
‘Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1974)
‘Carolyn’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for three weeks in January / February 1972)
‘It’s All In The Movies’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1975)
‘Movin’ On’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in July 1975)
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for three weeks in March / April 1970)
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1968)
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (No.1 for four weeks in November / December 1969)
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1969)
‘I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in February 1973)
‘Things Aren’t Funny Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1974)
‘The Roots of My Raising’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for one week in March 1976)
In May 1989, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘5:01 Blues’ (Epic Records, 1989), which was produced by Merle Haggard, Ken Suesov and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020), and included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘5:01 Blues’ (written by Jeff Tweel and Michael Garvin) (No.18, 1989)
‘Better Love Next Time’ (written by Johnny Christopher and Bobby Wood) (No.4, 1989)
‘If You Want To Be My Woman’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.23, 1989)
‘Broken Friend’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was released as a single in 1989, but it did not chart on the Billboard country music singles chart; it did, however, peak at No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Radio Breakouts Chart in 1989
Merle Haggard’s ‘5:01 Blues’ (Epic Records, 1988) also included the following tracks:
‘Losin’ In Las Vegas’ (written by Ray McDonald)
‘Someday We’ll Know’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard) / Theresa Lane Haggard was the lady who became Merle Haggard’s fifth wife
‘Wouldn’t That Be Something’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Sea of Heartbreak’, which was written by Hal David (Wednesday 25 May 1921 – Saturday 1 September 2012) and Paul Hampton
‘Thousand Lies Ago’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Somewhere Down The Line’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘5:01 Blues’ (Epic Records, 1989) included the following:
Merle Haggard (lead vocals, guitar)
Jimmy Belkin (fiddle, strings)
Jerry Kirby Carrigan (Monday 13 September 1943 – Saturday 22 June 2019) (drum programming, percussion)
Gene Chrisman and Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Johnny Christopher (guitar, background vocals)
Gary Church (cornet, trombone)
Steve Gibson, Eldon Shamblin (24 April 1916 – Wednesday 5 August 1998), Billy Shaw, Clint Strong, Bobby Wayne and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (guitar)
Norm Hamlet (pedal steel guitar)
Susan Boyd, Joe Chemay, Jim Haas, Jon Joice and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (background vocals)
Mike Leech (bass)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (Hammond organ, piano, electric piano)
Merle Haggard’s ‘5:01 Blues’ (Epic Records, 1989) reached No.28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
On Monday 18 June 1990, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Blue Jungle’ (Curb Records, 1990), which was produced by Merle Haggard, Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001) and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020), and included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘When It Rains It Pours’ (No.60, 1990) / Curb Records released ‘Me & Crippled Soldiers’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) as the B-side to this single, a ballad which peaked at No.60, becoming Merle Haggard’s lowest charting Billboard single ever
‘Blue Jungle’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
‘Bar In Bakersfield’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) / this track was released as a single in 1991, but it did not chart
Merle Haggard’s ‘Blue Jungle’ (Curb Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘Sometimes I Dream’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘My Home Is In The Street’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘Me & Crippled Soldiers’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) / this track was the B-side to ‘When It Rains It Pours’, a ballad which peaked at No.60 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990, becoming Merle Haggard’s lowest charting Billboard single ever
‘Under The Bridge’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Lucky Old Colorado’, which was written by Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘Driftwood’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was an updated version of a track which was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979)
‘Never No Mo’ Blues’, which was written by Elsie McWilliams (1 June 1896 – Monday 30 December 1985) and Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Blue Jungle’ (Curb Records, 1990) included the following:
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums, percussion)
Reggie Brown, Mike Leech and Joe Reed (bass guitar)
Gary Church (cornet, trombone)
Steve Grahn, Gary Tackett and Bobby Wayne (acoustic guitar)
Eric Griffin and Steve Van Stralen (percussion)
Merle Haggard (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lead vocals, background vocals)
Norm Hamlet (Dobro, steel guitar)
Steve Herman (harmonica)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001) and Willie Savage (electric guitar)
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) (background vocals)
Clint Strong (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (keyboards, piano)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Blue Jungle’ (Curb Records, 1990) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1990.
On Friday 31 August 1990, Randy Travis saw the release of ‘Heroes & Friends’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990), a duets album project, which was produced by Kyle Lehning; with the exception of the title track, every song on the album was a duet with another recording artist.
Merle Haggard was one of the special duet partners on the album and joined Randy Travis on ‘All Night Long’, which was written by Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975).
Randy Travis‘ ‘Heroes & Friends’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990) also included ‘Shopping For Dresses’, which was written by Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) and Merle Haggard, and featured special guest vocalist, Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), and ‘We’re Strangers Again’ (written by Merle Haggard and Leona Williams), with special guest vocalist, Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998).
It was also in 1990 when Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Best of Country Blues’ (Curb Records, 1990), which included the following tracks:
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1969)
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’, which was written by Alton Delmore (Friday 25 December 1908 – Monday 8 June 1964), Rabon Delmore, Henry Glover and Wayne Raney / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (Capitol Records, 1977), and was not released as a single
‘Moanin’ The Blues’, which was written by by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (Capitol Records, 1977), and was not released as a single
‘Blues For Dixie’ (written by O. W. Mayo) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (Capitol Records, 1977), and was not released as a single
‘White Man Singin’ The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was not released as a single
‘Mississippi Delta Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Jack Neville / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976), and was not released as a single
‘Cotton Patch Blues’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Billy Joe Moore / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘It’s All In The Movies’ (Capitol Records, 1976), and was not released as a single
‘T.B. Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1970), and was not released as a single
‘Gambling Polka Dot Blues’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Roy E. Hall / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976), and was not released as a single
‘Brain Cloudy Blues’, which was written by Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967) and Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World (Or, My Salute To Bob Wills)’ (Capitol Records, 1970), and was not released as a single
In November 1993, Ray Benson‘s Asleep At The Wheel saw the release of ‘Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys’ (Liberty Records, 1993), an album which included performances by artists, who were influenced by the music of Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975); one of the featured artists was Merle Haggard, who performed ‘I Wonder If You Feel The Way I Do’ (written by Bob Wills).
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel’s ‘Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys’ (Liberty Records, 1993), was re-issued, on CD, by Koch Records in 1995.
On Tuesday 22 March 1994, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Merle Haggard: 1994’ (Curb Records, 1994), which was produced by James Stroud, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘In My Next Life’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.58, 1994)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard: 1994’ (Curb Records, 1994) also included the following tracks:
‘I Am An Island’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Way Back In The Mountains’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘What’s New In New York City’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Set My Chickens Free’ (written by Merle Haggard and Richard Smith)
‘Chores’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), Billy Davis and Theresa Lane Haggard
‘Valentine’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Solid As A Rock’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Bye, Bye, Travelin’ Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway)
‘Troubadour’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard: 1994’ (Curb Records, 1994) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) and Owen Hale (drums)
Larry Byrom, Danny Huff, Abe Manuel Jr., Joe Manuel and Hilton Reed (guitar)
Glen Duncan and Joe Spivey (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (Dobro, steel guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Don Markham (trumpet, saxophone)
Leland Sklar (bass)
Gary W. Smith (piano)
Curtis Wright and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard: 1994’ (Curb Records, 1994) reached No.60 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1994.
On Tuesday 4 October 1994, Clint Black saw the release of ‘One Emotion’ (RCA Records, 1994); one of the included tracks was ‘Untanglin’ My Mind’ (written by Clint Black and Merle Haggard), which reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
‘Untanglin’ My Mind’ (written by Clint Black and Merle Haggard) was also included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard: 1996’ (Curb Records, 1996); a video was made to accompany the track, which was directed by Clint Black.
Clint Black‘s ‘One Emotion’ (RCA Records, 1994) reached No.8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1994.
On Tuesday 11 October 1994, Arista Records released ‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes: A Tribute To Merle Haggard’ (Arista Records, 1994), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Top Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘The Running Kind’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.64, 1994) / this track featured vocals from Radney Foster
‘Workin’ Man Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.48, 1994) / this track featured vocals from Jed Zeppelin (Lee Roy Parnell, Diamond Rio and Steve Wariner)
Arista Records’ ‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes: A Tribute To Merle Haggard’ (Arista Records, 1994), also included the following tracks:
‘Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn)
‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Clint Black
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Pam Tillis
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Randy Travis
‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Vince Gill
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Alabama
‘Trying Not To Love You’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Alan Jackson
‘I Threw Away The Rose’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Lorrie Morgan
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from John Anderson and Marty Stuart
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) / this track featured vocals from Willie Nelson
‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Emmylou Harris
Arista Records’ ‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes: A Tribute To Merle Haggard’ (Arista Records, 1994) reached No.52 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1994, and No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1994; proceeds from the sales of the album went to Second Harvest Food Bank.
On Tuesday 8 November 1994, Hightone Records released ‘Tulare Dust: A Songwriters’ Tribute To Merle Haggard’ (Hightone Records, 1994), which was produced by Tom Russell and Dave Alvin, and included the following tracks:
‘Tulare Dust’ (written by Merle Haggard) / ‘They’re Tearin’ The Labor Camps Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Tom Russell
‘Big City’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway) / this track featured vocals from Iris DeMent
‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Peter Case
‘Holding Things Together’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Dwight Yoakam
‘Daddy Frank’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Robert Earl Keen, along with backing vocals from The Sunshine Boys Quartet
‘White Line Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Joe Ely
‘My Own Kind of Hat’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) / this track featured vocals from Rosie Flores
‘Shopping For Dresses’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) / this track featured vocals from Steve Young
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Marshall Crenshaw
‘Irma Jackson’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Barrence Whitfield
‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016) / this track featured vocals from Lucinda Williams
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Billy Joe Shaver (Wednesday 16 August 1939 – Wednesday 28 October 2020)
‘I Can’t Be Myself’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Katy Moffatt
‘I Can’t Hold Myself In Line’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from John Doe
‘Kern River’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Dave Alvin
On Tuesday 23 January 1996, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Merle Haggard: 1996’ (Curb Records, 1996), which was produced by Lou Bradley, Abe Manuel Jr. and Merle Haggard, and included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Truck Drivers’ Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard and Tim Howard) / this track was released as a single in 1996, but it did not chart
Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard: 1996’ (Curb Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:
‘Sin City Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard, Theresa Lane Haggard and Joe Manuel)
‘No Time To Cry’ (written by Iris Dement)
‘Beer Can Hill’ (written by Merle Haggard and Abe Manuel Jr.)
‘Too Many Highways’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Five Days A Week’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Kids Get Lonesome Too’ (written by Merle Haggard and Lou Bradley)
‘If Anyone Ought To Know’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006)
‘Untanglin’ My Mind’ (written by Merle Haggard and Clint Black) / this track was also included on Clint Black‘s ‘One Emotion’ (RCA Records, 1994), and reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Winds of Change’ (written by Merle Haggard and Terry Hardesty)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Merle Haggard: 1996’ (Curb Records, 1996) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar, Dobro)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
John Anderson, Dwight Yoakam, Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003) and Bob Teague (vocals)
Seymour Duncan, Clint Strong, Terry Hardesty and Tim Howard (guitar)
Eddie Curtis and Leland Sklar (bass)
Iris DeMent, Oleg Schramm and Mark Yeary (Saturday 9 February 1952 – Friday 17 January 2020) (piano)
Don Markham (trumpet, saxophone, penny whistle)
Hilton Reed (guitar, bass, background vocals)
Dawn Sears (Thursday 7 December 1961 – Thursday 11 December 2014) (background vocals)
Bobby Wood (electric piano)
Abe Manuel Jr. (guitar, fiddle, percussion, accordion, harmony vocals)
Joe Manuel (guitar, background vocals)
Jim Belkins (violin)
On Tuesday 27 July 1999, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Motorcycle Cowboy’ (Smith Music Group, 1999), which was recorded ‘live’ at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas and included the following tracks:
‘Misery & Gin’, which was written by John Durrill and Tommy ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980 / this track was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, ‘Bronco Billy’ in 1980, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, and in which Merle Haggard had a cameo role, appearing as himself
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1981
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1969
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Jewel / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was not released as a single
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)/ the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1984
‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966), and reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘The Emptiest Arms In The World’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973), and reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in May 1973
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in August / September 1968
‘Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1969
‘Motorcycle Cowboy’ / ‘Blue Yodel, No.13’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was released as a single in 2000, but it did not chart
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974
‘Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982)
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in November / December 1969)
‘Big City’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1982
‘Ida Red’ (traditional)
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) / the original version of this track was the B-side of Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (written by Merle Haggard), which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in April / May 1968
On Tuesday 24 August 1999, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘For The Record: 43 Legendary Hits’ (BNA Records, 1999), a 2-CD, forty-three song collection, of Merle Haggard’s greatest hits, which was produced by Merle Haggard and Louis M. Bradley.
Merle Haggard’s ‘For The Record: 43 Legendary Hits’ (BNA Records, 1999) featured Merle Haggard’s re-recordings of his own previously released songs, including the following:
CD1
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in August / September 1968
‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s debut album, ‘Strangers’ (Capitol Records, 1965), and reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Casey Anderson / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March 1967
‘Branded Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart on Saturday 2 September 1967
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in January / February 1968
‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in 1968
‘Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1969
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1969
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Jewel / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was not released as a single
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in November / December 1969
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in March / April 1970
‘Daddy Frank (Guitar Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in November / December 1971
‘Carolyn’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in January / February 1972
‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November 1972
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in August / September 1973
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974
‘Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1974
‘Things Aren’t Funny Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1974
‘Movin’ On’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1975
‘Always Wanting You’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in April 1975
‘It’s All In The Movies’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November / December 1975
CD2
‘The Roots of My Raising’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March 1976
‘Cherokee Maiden’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November 1976
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Alabama / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (written by Chuck Howard) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘It’s Been A Great Afternoon’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘Footlights’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979), and was not released as a single
‘The Way I Am’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980
‘Misery & Gin’, which was written by John Durrill and Snuff Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980 / this track was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, ‘Bronco Billy’, in 1980, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, and in which Merle Haggard had a cameo role, appearing as himself
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1981
‘Rainbow Stew’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981
‘My Favorite Memory’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November / December 1981
‘Big City’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1982
‘Pancho & Lefty’, which was written by Townes Van Zandt (Tuesday 7 March 1944 – Wednesday 1 January 1997) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1983
‘Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982
‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1983
‘Let’s Chase Each Other Around The Room’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Sherill Rodgers / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1984
‘A Place To Fall Apart’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Willie Nelson / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1985
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer(Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Jewel, reached No.56 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999 / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1984
‘Natural High’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in June 1985
‘Kern River’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985
‘Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1988, and was Merle Haggard’s last No.1 hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart
On Tuesday 10 October 2000, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘If I Could Only Fly’ (ANTI Records / Epitaph Records, 2000), which included the following tracks:
‘Wishing All These Old Things Were New’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Honky Tonky Mama’ (written by Merle Haggard) (traditional)
‘Turn To Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If I Could Only Fly’, which was written by Blaze Foley (Sunday 18 December 1949 – Wednesday 1 February 1989)
‘Crazy Moon’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Bareback’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘(Think About A) Lullaby’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘I’m Still Your Daddy’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Proud To Be Your Old Man’ (written by Merle Haggard and Abe Manuel Jr.)
‘Leavin’s Getting Harder’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Thanks To Uncle John’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Listening (To The Wind)’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘If I Could Only Fly’ (ANTI Records / Epitaph Records, 2000) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Eddie Curtis (bass)
Floyd Domino and Oleg Schramm (piano)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Abe Manuel Jr. (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, percussion, piano, accordion, harp, harmony vocals)
Joe Manuel, Randy Mason and Redd Volkaert (guitar)
Don Markham (saxophone, harmony vocals)
Merle Haggard’s ‘If I Could Only Fly’ (ANTI Records, 2000) reached No.26 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2000.
It was also in 2000 when Chester Smith (Saturday 29 March 1930 – Friday 8 August 2008), with special guest Merle Haggard, saw the release of ‘California Blend’ (Hag Records, 2000), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Wreck On The Highway’, which was written Dorsey Murdock Dixon (14 October 1897 – Thursday 18 April 1968) / this track was released as a single in 2000, but it did not chart
Chester Smith & special guest Merle Haggard’s ‘California Blend’ (Hag Records, 2000) also included the following tracks:
‘Old Fashioned Love’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) / Additional lyrics by Chester Smith
‘Grace For The Shepherd’ (written by Carlene Jones and Merle Haggard)
‘The Titanic’, which was arranged by Roy Acuff (Tuesday 15 September 1903 – Monday 23 November 1992), with additional lyrics by Chester Smith
‘Crying Holy’ (Public Domain, arranged by Chester Smith and Merle Haggard)
‘Til The End of The World’ (written by Horton Vaughn)
‘When The Whole World Stands Together Holding Hands’, which was written by Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018)
‘After We Go To Guns’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Go Look Now’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984)
‘Wait A Little Longer Please, Jesus’, which was written by Hazel Marie Houser (Saturday 3 June 1922 – Friday 14 June 1996)
‘Why A Dove? (Wings of A Dove)’, which was written by Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 – Sunday 22 July 2001) / narration only by Chester Smith
‘Great Judgement Morning’, Dorsey Murdock Dixon (14 October 1897 – Thursday 18 April 1968)
On Tuesday 1 May 2001, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Cabin In The Hills’ (Hag Records, 2001), a Bakersfield-style collection of gospel music, either written or arranged by Merle Haggard, with the exception of Iris Dement’s sublime ‘Shores of Jordan’ and Brumley & Brumley’s ‘This World Is Not My Home’.
Merle Haggard’s ‘Cabin In The Hills’ (Hag Records, 2001) was self-produced and was released on Merle Haggard’s own label, Hag Records; Merle Haggard was joined on Dobro and steel guitar by Norman Hamlet, and on vocals by Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006).
Merle Haggard’s ‘Cabin In The Hills’ (Hag Records, 2001) included the following tracks:
‘Life’s Railway To Heaven’, which was written by W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978) and Charlie Tillman
‘A Cabin In The Hills’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘What Will It Be Like’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Farther Along’ (Public Domain)
‘Precious Lord, Take My Hand’
‘Apart For A While’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Love Lifted Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (traditional)
‘Shores of Jordan’ (written by Iris DeMent)
‘Lord, Don’t Give Up On Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘This World Is Not My Home’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977) (traditional)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Cabin In The Hills’ (Hag Records, 2001) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007), Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), Ray McDonald and Theresa Lane Haggard (vocals)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Doug Colosio (keyboards)
Eddie Curtis (bass)
Norm Hamlet (Dobro, pedal steel guitar)
Abe Manuel Jr. (guitar, harmonica)
Joe Manuel and Redd Volkaert (guitar)
Don Markham (trumpet)
Randy Mason (drums, guitar)
It was also on Tuesday 1 May 2001 when Merle Haggard saw the release of his & Albert Edward Brumley’s (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977) ‘Two Old Friends’ (Madacy Records, 2001), which included the following tracks:
‘There’s A Road Down The Road’
‘Victory In Jesus’
‘Old Drover’s Prayer’
‘If You See A Change In Me’
‘I Dreamed I Met Mother & Daddy’
‘I’ll Fly Away’
‘Old Rugged Shoes’
‘Marching Over Jordan’
‘Someday He’ll Whisper My Name’
‘Everybody Knows’
‘I’ll Meet You In The Morning’
On Tuesday 6 November 2001, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Roots, Volume 1’ (ANTI Records, 2001), which was produced by Merle Haggard, and included the following tracks:
‘Always Late With Your Kisses’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Blackie Crawford
‘More Than My Old Guitar’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got The Time’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Jim Beck
‘Look What Thoughts Will Do’, which was written by Jim Beck, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015), Dub Dickerson, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Richard Duncan James
‘My Baby’s Just Like Money’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
‘Honky Tonking’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Runaway Mama’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’ll Sign My Heart Away’, which was written by Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007)
‘I’ve Got A Tender Heart’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Wild Side of Life’ (written by Arlie Carter and William Warren)
‘Take These Chains From My Heart’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) and Hy Heath (1890 – 1965)
‘I Want To Be With You Always’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Jim Beck
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Roots, Volume 1’ (ANTI Records, 2001) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Theresa Lane Haggard (background vocals, percussion)
Norman Hamlet (steel guitar)
Abe Manuel Jr. (fiddle, mandolin, background vocals)
Billy McGill, Chester Smith (Saturday 29 March 1930 – Friday 8 August 2008), Norman Stevens – the guitarist for Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), one of Merle Haggard’s major influences – and Redd Volkaert (guitar)
Doug Colosio (piano)
Eddie Curtis (bass)
Johnnie Barber and Brooks Liggatt (drums)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Roots, Volume 1’ (ANTI Records, 2001) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2001, and No.26 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2001.
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Make-Up & Faded Blue Jeans’ and included the track on ‘That’s Why I Sing This Way’ (Audium Records / Koch Records, 2002); the track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard.
On Tuesday 21 May 2002, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Peer Sessions’ (Audium Records, 2002), which was produced by Merle Haggard, on which he revisited many of music publisher Peer Music’s best-loved songs.
Fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member, Roy Horton (5 November 1914 – Tuesday 23 September 2003), worked with Merle Haggard in selecting which compositions from Ralph S. Peer’s extensive library to choose from, and the pair came up with twelve songs from the pens of Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933), Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000), Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967), amongst others.
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Peer Sessions’ (Audium Records, 2002) included the following tracks:
‘Peach Picking Time In Georgia’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Clayton McMichen
‘If It’s Wrong To Love You’ (written by Bonnie Dodd and Charles Mitchell)
‘Sweethearts Or Strangers’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Lou Wayne
‘Put Me In Your Pocket’, which was written by Wilbert Lee ‘Pappy’ O’Daniel (11 March 1890 – Sunday 11 May 1969)
‘Anniversary Blue Yodel’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Doc Watson (Saturday 3 March 1923 – Tuesday 29 May 2012)
‘Shackles & Chains’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000)
‘Miss The Mississippi & You’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Bill Halley
‘It Makes No Difference Now’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘Whippin’ That Old T.B.’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Hang On To The Memories’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000)
‘I Love You So Much It Hurts’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘Time Changes Everything’, which was written by Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) and Tommy Duncan (Wednesday 11 January 1911 – Tuesday 25 July 1967)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘The Peer Sessions’ (Audium Records, 2002) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (drums)
Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 – Wednesday 7 January 1998) and Oleg Schramm (piano)
Eddie Curtis (bass)
Norm Hamlet (Dobro, pedal steel guitar)
The Anita Kerr Singers (background vocals)
Abe Manuel Jr. (guitar, accordion, fiddle, harmonica, vocal harmony)
Joe Manuel (bass, guitar)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), Randy Mason, Redd Volkaert and Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024) (guitar)
Harald ‘Hal’ Rugg (Tuesday 21 July 1936 – Tuesday 9 August 2005) (pedal steel guitar)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
On Tuesday 23 September 2003, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Like Never Before’ (Hag Records, 2003), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Lou Bradley, and included the following tracks:
‘Haggard (Like I’ve Never Been Before)’ (written by Merle Haggard and Doug Colosio)
‘That’s The News’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Garbage Man’
‘Reno Blues (Philadelphia Lawyer)’ / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson
‘The Downside’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Because of Your Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Lonesome Day’ (written by Merle Haggard and Doug Colosio)
‘I Dreamed You Didn’t Love Me’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Yellow Ribbons’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Hate To See It Go’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Return To San Francisco’ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Like Never Before’ (Hag Records, 2003) included the following:
Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson (vocals, guitar)
Doug Colosio (keyboards)
Norm Hamlet (pedal steel guitar)
Andy Kaulkin (piano)
Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), Norman Stevens and Clint Strong (guitar)
Don Markham (saxophone, trumpet)
Mike Martin (harmonica)
Kevin Williams (bass)
Jeff Ingraham and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Scott Joss (fiddle, guitar, background vocals)
Theresa Lane Haggard (background vocals)
On Tuesday 26 October 2004, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘I Wish I Was Santa Claus’ (Smith Music Group Records, 2004), which was produced by Merle Haggard and Lou Bradley, and included the following tracks:
‘El Niño’ (written by Moore and Willie Nelson)
‘I Wish I Were Santa Claus’ (written by McDonald)
‘Christmas In Cabo San Lucas’ (written by Doug Colosio, Dyer, Joss and Williams)
‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
‘Jingle Bells’ (written by James Lord Pierpont)
‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, which was written by John Frederick Coots and James Lamont ‘Haven’ Gillespie (6 February 1888 – Friday 14 March 1975)
‘Blue Christmas’ (written by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson)
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’, which was written by Kent Gannon, James Gannon and Buck Ram (Thursday 21 November 1907 – Tuesday 1 January 1991)
‘Santa Claus & Popcorn’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer’, which was written by Johnny Marks (Wednesday 10 November 1909 – Tuesday 3 September 1985)
‘Silver Bells’ (written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston)
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Capitol Records, 1974), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘I Wish I Was Santa Claus’ (Smith Music Group Records, 2004), included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
April Anderson and Theresa Lane Haggard (background vocals)
Johnnie Barber (drums)
Doug Colosio (piano, background vocals)
Scott Joss (fiddle, guitar, background vocals)
Abe Manuel Jr., Joe Manuel and Randy Mason (guitar)
Don Markham (horn, trumpet, background vocals)
Norman Stevens (guitar, background vocals)
Kevin Williams (bass, background vocals)
On Tuesday 14 December 2004, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Unforgettable’ (Capitol Records, 2004), which was produced by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016), and on which Merle Haggard tackled material from the American popular songbook, pre-rock & roll vocal pop standards, including the following tracks:
‘As Time Goes By’, which was written by Herman Hupfeld (1 February 1894 – Friday 8 June 1951)
‘Gypsy’, which was written by William Gordon ‘Billy’ Reid (19 September 1902 – Thursday 12 December 1974)
‘Unforgettable’, which was written by Irving Gordon (14 February 1915 – Sunday 1 December 1996)
‘Stardust’, which was written by Irving Gordon (14 February 1915 – Sunday 1 December 1996) and Mitchell Parish (Tuesday 10 July 1900 – Wednesday 31 March 1993)
‘I Can’t Get Started’, which was written by Vernon Duke (10 October 1903 – Thursday 16 January 1969) and Ira Gershwin) (6 December 1896 – Wednesday 17 August 1983)
‘Still Missing You’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Pennies From Heaven’, which was written by John Francis Burke (3 October 1908 – Tuesday 25 February 1964) and Arthur Johnston (10 January 1898 – Saturday 1 May 1954)
‘Cry Me A River’ (written by Arthur Hamilton)
‘I’ll Get By (As Long As I Have You)’, which was written by Frederick Emil Ahlert (19 September 1892 – Tuesday 20 October 1953) and Roy Kenneth Turk (20 September 1892 – Friday 30 November 1934)
‘You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You’, which was written by Russ Morgan (29 April 1904 – Thursday 7 August 1969), Larry Stock (1896 – Friday 4 May 1984) and James Cavanaugh
‘What Love Can Do’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘Goin’ Away Party’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Unforgettable’ (Capitol Records, 2004) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020), Terry Domingue and Larrie Londin (Friday 15 October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) (drums)
Gary Church (trombone)
Eddie Curtis, B.B. Morse and Leland Sklar (bass)
Floyd Domino, Oleg Schramm, Catherine Styron and Bobby Wood (piano)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) (fiddle)
Abe Manuel (accordion, fiddle, guitar)
Joe Manuel, Clint Strong, Redd Volkaert and Mike Wheeler (guitar)
Don Markum (saxophone, trumpet)
Randy Mason and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) (drums, guitar)
Joe Reed (bass)
Bruce McBeth and Rose Katai (violin)
Soo Kyong Kim (viola)
Kevin Price (cello)
On Tuesday 27 September 2005, Gretchen Wlson saw the release of ‘All Jacked Up’ (Epic Nashville Records, 2005); one of the included tracks was ‘Politically Uncorrect’ (written by Leslie Satcher, Danny Steagall and Billy Henderson), a duet with Merle Haggard, which reached No.23 on the Billboard Country Songs Chart in 2006, and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
On Tuesday 25 October 2005, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Chicago Wind’ (Capitol Records, 2005), which was produced by Mike Post and Jimmy Bowen, and included the following tracks:
‘Chicago Wind’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Where’s All The Freedom’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘White Man Singin’ The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Leavin’s Not The Only Way To Go’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘What I’ve Been Meaning To Say’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Mexico’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Honky Tonk Man’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021)
Directed by Traci Goudie
‘America First’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘It Always Will Be’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘I Still Can’t Say Goodbye’ (written by Robert Blinn and James Moore)
‘Some of Us Fly’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was a duet with Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024)
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Chicago Wind’ (Capitol Records, 2005) included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Thom Bresh and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Doug Colosio (keyboards)
Shannon Forrest and John ‘4 Daddman’ Robinson (drums)
Scott Joss (fiddle, mandolin)
Leland Sklar and Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
Don Markham (trumpet)
Brent Mason and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Alti Ovarsson (piano)
Herb Pedersen (banjo, background vocals)
Mike Post (guitar, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Gabe Witcher (fiddle)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Chicago Wind’ (Capitol Records, 2005) reached No.54 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2005.
On Tuesday 17 May 2005, Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) saw the release of ‘Honkytonk University’ (Dreamworks Records, 2005); one of the included tracks was ‘She Ain’t Hooked On Me No More’ (written by Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick), which was a duet with Merle Haggard.
On Tuesday 18 July 2006, Eric Church saw the release of ‘Sinners Like Me’ (Capitol Records, 2006); one of the included tracks was ‘Pledge Allegiance To The Hag’ (written by Brett Beavers and Eric Church), an affectionate tribute to Merle Haggard, which featured Merle Haggard as a guest vocalist.
On Tuesday 24 October 2006, Merle Haggard & George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) saw the release of ‘Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones – Kickin’ Out The Footlights…Again’ (Bandit Records, 2006), which was their second duet album, following the release of ‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (Epic Records, 1982), some 25 years earlier.
On ‘Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones – Kickin’ Out The Footlights…Again’ (Bandit Records, 2006), Merle Haggard and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) each sang five songs originally recorded by the other, then teamed up for four fully-fledged duets, including the title track, which chronicled the tales of an aging country singer, a song clearly intended to appear somewhat autobiographical for these two country music legends.
Merle Haggard & George Jones‘ ‘Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones – Kickin’ Out The Footlights…Again’ (Bandit Records, 2006) included the following tracks:
‘Footlights’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979)
‘The Race Is On’ (written by Don Rollins) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard / the original version of this track was included on George Jones‘ ‘I Get Lonely In A Hurry’ (United Artists Records, 1964), and reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964
‘The Way I Am’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton) / this track featured vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980
‘She Thinks I Still Care’ (written by Steve Duffy and Dicky Lee) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard / the original version of this track was included on George Jones‘ ‘The New Favourites of George Jones’ (United Artists Records, 1962), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for six weeks in 1962
‘All My Friends Are Strangers’ (written by E. Howard Anderson) / this track featured vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
‘Things Have Gone To Pieces’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard / the original version of this track was included on George Jones & Gene Pitney’s ‘For The First Time: Two Great Stars’ (Musicor Records, 1965), and reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1981
‘Born With The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
‘Sick, Sober & Sorry’ / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
‘I Always Get Lucky With You’, which was written by Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016), Gary Church and Tex Whitson / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard / the original version of this track was included on George Jones‘ ‘Shine On’ (Epic Records, 1983), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in 1983
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ (Capitol Records, 1968), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in January / February 1968
‘The Window Up Above’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard / the original version of this track was included on George Jones‘ ‘George Jones Sings Country & Western Hits’ (Mercury Records, 1961), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960
‘You Take Me For Granted’ (written by Leona Williams) / this track featured vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May / June 1983
‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ / this track featured vocals from Merle Haggard and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
Merle Haggard & George Jones‘ ‘Jones Sings Haggard, Haggard Sings Jones – Kickin’ Out The Footlights…Again’ (Bandit Records, 2006) was produced by Merle Haggard, Lou Bradley and Keith Stegall.
On Tuesday 20 March 2007, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) saw the release of ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007), a 2-CD set, which was produced by Fred Foster (Sunday 26 July 1931 – Wednesday 20 February 2019), and included the following tracks:
Disc 1
‘My Life’s Been A Pleasure’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
‘My Mary’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Stuart Hamblen (Tuesday 20 October 1908 – Wednesday 8 March 1989)
‘Back To Earth’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill
‘Mom & Dad’s Waltz’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
‘Some Other World’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘Why Me Lord’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) / this track featured guest vocals from Kris Kristofferson
‘Lost Highway’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969) / In 2007, Willie Nelson and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) won a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Collaboration With Vocals’ for this track
‘I Love You A Thousand Ways’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Jim Beck
‘Please Don’t Leave Me Any More Darling’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
‘I Gotta Have My Baby Back’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
Disc 2
‘Goin’ Away Party’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
‘If I Ever Get Lucky’ (written by Lou Bradley and Merle Haggard)
‘Sweet Memories’, which was written by Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002)
‘Pick Me Up On Your Way Down’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘I Love You Because’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘Sweet Jesus’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Still Water Runs The Deepest’ (written by Jesse Ashlock)
‘I Love You So Much It Hurts’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine’, which was written by Gene Autry (Sunday 29 September 1907 – Friday 2 October 1998) and Jimmy Long
‘I’ll Keep On Loving You’, which was written by Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003)
‘Night Watch’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
Personnel involved in the recording of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price‘s ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007), included the following:
Merle Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) (vocals)
Willie Nelson (vocals, gut string guitar)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015) (pedal steel guitar)
Vince Gill (harmony vocals on ‘Heartaches By The Number’)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer)
Elana James (fiddle)
The Jordanaires (background vocals)
Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) (vocals, harmony vocals on ‘Why Me’)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Gordon Mote (piano)
Don Potter (acoustic guitar)
Boots Randolph (saxophone)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
Bergen White (chant)
Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price‘s ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007) reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2007, and No.64 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2007.
Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price‘s ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007) made its debut at No.64 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2007, selling about 13,000 copies during its first week of release.
As of May 2015, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard & Ray Price‘s ‘Last of The Breed’ (Lost Highway Records, 2007) had sold 100,000 copies in the United States, and was ranked No.33 on ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine’s list of the Top 50 Albums of 2007.
On Tuesday 2 October 2007, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Bluegrass Sessions’ (McCoury Music Records, 2007 / Hag Records, 2007), which was produced by Ronnie Reno (former rhythm guitarist with The Strangers); the majority of the album was recorded ‘live’ in the studio in one day, with very little overdubbing.
Guests on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bluegrass Sessions’ (McCoury Music Records, 2007 / Hag Records, 2007) included Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart, and Dobro virtuoso, Rob Ickes.
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bluegrass Sessions’ (McCoury Music Records, 2007 / Hag Records, 2007) included the following tracks:
‘Runaway Momma’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Pray’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘What Happened?’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Jimmie Rodgers Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Learning To Live With Myself’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Alison Krauss
‘I Wonder Where To Find You’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Holding Things Together’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Big City’ (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway)
‘Momma’s Prayers’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Wouldn’t That Be Something’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’, which was written by Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002), Rabon Delmore (3 December 1916 – Thursday 4 December 1952), Henry Glover and Wayne Raney
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bluegrass Sessions’ (McCoury Music Records, 2007 / Hag Records, 2007) included the following:
Merle Haggard (guitar, vocals)
Charlie Cushman (banjo, guitar)
Aubrey Haynie and Scott Joss (fiddle)
Rob Ickes (Dobro, slide guitar)
Ben Isaacs (upright bass)
Carl Jackson (guitar, tenor vocal, vocal arrangement, vocal producer)
J.D. Wilkes (harmonica)
Alison Krauss (vocals)
Marty Stuart (guitar, mandolin)
Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bluegrass Sessions’ (McCoury Music Records, 2007 / Hag Records, 2007) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2007, and No.34 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2007.
In 2007, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Very Best of Merle Haggard’ (EMI Gold, 2007), a 2-CD set, disc 1 of which included the following tracks:
‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 – Monday 26 November 2018) (No.1 for one week in March 1967)
‘Branded Man’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1, Saturday 2 September 1967)
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1968)
‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in April / May 1968)
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1968)
‘Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1969) / this track featured backing vocals from Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017)
‘Workin’ Man’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1969)
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Roy Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011) (No.1 for four weeks in November / December 1969)
‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for three weeks in March / April 1970)
‘Daddy Frank (Guitar Man)’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in November / December 1971)
‘Carolyn’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for three weeks in January / February 1972)
‘Grandma Harp’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in May 1972)
‘It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) (No.1 for one week in November 1972) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Heroes have Always been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014)
‘I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in February 1973)
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1973)
‘If We Make It Through December’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for four weeks in December 1973 / January 1974) / this track also reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973, No.30 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart in 1973, and No.37 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1973
‘Things Aren’t Funny Anymore’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in May 1974)
‘Old Man From The Mountain’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in August 1974)
‘Kentucky Gambler’ (written by Dolly Parton) (No.1 for one week in January 1975) / this track was originally recorded by Dolly Parton, who included it on ‘The Bargain Store’ (RCA Records, 1975), an album which also included a cover of Merle Haggard’s ‘You’ll Always Be Special To Me’
‘Always Wanting You’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for two weeks in April 1975) / this track, which was Merle Haggard’s way of expressing his feelings for Dolly Parton, was the first and only Billboard No.1 country music hit single to feature Louise Mandrell as a supporting vocalist
‘Movin’ On’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in July 1975) / this track was a full-length version of a song which Merle Haggard recorded as the theme song to the television series ‘Movin’ On’
‘It’s All In The Movies’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1975)
‘The Roots of My Raising’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) (No.1 for one week in March 1976)
‘Cherokee Maiden’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) (No.1 for one week in November 1976)
‘Cherokee Maiden’ was actually a two-sided hit; the ‘B’ side, ‘What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana’, was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), who, at the time, was a member of Merle Haggard’s band, The Strangers.
In 2007, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘The Very Best of Merle Haggard’ (EMI Gold, 2007), a 2-CD set, disc 2 of which included the following tracks:
‘(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) (No.10, 1964) / this track is also known as ‘All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers’, ‘(From Now On) All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers’ and simply ‘Strangers’ / Following the success of this single, Merle Haggard went on to name his band The Strangers
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.5, 1966)
‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1966)
‘I Threw Away The Rose’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1967)
‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1969)
‘Street Singer’, which was written by Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (No.9, 1970) / this track was an instrumental
‘Jesus, Take A Hold’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1970)
‘I Can’t Be Myself’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, 1970)
‘The Sidewalks of Chicago’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) / this track was originally an album track, which was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Hag’ (Capitol Records, 1971)
‘Soldier’s Last Letter’, which was written by Redd Stewart (Sunday 27 May 1923 – Saturday 2 August 2003) and Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) (No.3, 1971)
‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.2, 1971)
‘The Emptiest Arms In The World’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.3, May 1973)
‘Here Comes The Freedom Train’ (written by Stephen H. Lemberg) (No.10 in early July 1976)
‘Sing A Sad Song’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) (No.19, 1963)
‘Just Between The Two of Us’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) (No.28, 1964)
‘I’m Gonna Break Every Heart I Can’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.42, 1965)
‘What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) / this track was an album track, which was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976) / the track was the ‘B’ side of ‘Cherokee Maiden’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006), which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November 1976
‘A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was released as a promotional single in 1977, reaching No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Running Kind’ (written by Merle Hagggard) (No.12, 1977) / this track also reached No.10 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Making Believe’, which was written by Jimmy Work (Saturday 29 March 1924 – Saturday 22 December 2018) / this track was the ‘B’ side of ‘Running Kind’ (written by Merle Hagggard), which reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, and No.10 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘The Way It Was in ’51’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.82, 1978) / this track, which was recorded in August 1975 at Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, California, was released as a promotional single, and also reached No.58 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘High On A Hilltop’, which was written by Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966), and was not released as a single
‘I’ll Leave The Bottle On The Bar’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ (Capitol Records, 1968), and was not released as a single
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was originally included on Merle Haggard’s ‘A Portrait of Merle Haggard’ (Capitol Records, 1969), and was not released as a single
In 2008, England’s Hump Head Country Records released Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country Records, 2008), which brought together some of Merle Haggard’s best loved songs, together with a selection of songs associated with Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977).
Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country Records, 2008) included recordings which Merle Haggard recorded for MCA Records between 1977 and 1981, when he achieved no less than eleven Billboard country music Top 10 singles for MCA Records.
Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country Records, 2008) also included tracks from Merle Haggard’s Elvis Presley tribute album, ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977), which was released just a few weeks after ‘The King’ had passed away, on Tuesday 16 August 1977.
Merle Haggard’s ‘From The King To The Barrooms’ (Hump Head Country Records, 2008) included the following tracks:
‘Misery & Gin’, which was written by John Durrill and Snuff Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980 / the track was also included on the soundtrack of the Warner Brothers film, ‘Bronco Billy’ in 1980, in which Merle Haggard had a cameo role, appearing as himself
‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1981
‘Back To The Barrooms Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
‘I Don’t Want To Sober Up Tonight’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
‘Leonard’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.9, 1981) / the original version of this track, which was a tribute to Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), whose real name was Leonard Sipes, was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981
‘When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again’ (written by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977), and was the B-side of ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard), which reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘Make-Up & Faded Blue Jeans’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Back To The Barrooms’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single / the track was also included on Merle Haggard’s ‘His Best’ (MCA Records, 1985), and was released as a single, reaching No.55 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985
‘Love Me Tender’, which was written by Vera Matson and Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977)
‘Are You Lonesome Tonight?’ (written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977)
‘My Own Kind of Hat’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979
‘Red Bandana’ (written by Merle Haggard) (No.4, 1979) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979
‘Blue Suede Shoes’, which was written by Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977)
‘Footlights’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979), and was not released as a single
‘Don’t Be Cruel’, which was written by Otis Blackwell (Monday 16 February 1931 – Monday 6 May 2002) and Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977)
‘If We’re Not Back In Love By Monday’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) and Sonny Throckmorton) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘Take Me Back & Try Me One More Time’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
‘I’ll Always Be Glad To Take You Back’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
‘That’s All Right’, which was written by Arthur Crudup (Thursday 24 August 1905 – Thursday 28 March 1974) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977)
‘It’s Been A Great Afternoon’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (MCA Records, 1978), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ (MCA Records, 1977), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘It Makes No Difference Now’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000) and Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 – Friday 22 August 2003) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘The Way I Am’ (MCA Records, 1980), and was not released as a single
‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (written by Chuck Howard) (No.2, 1978) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (MCA Records, 1978), and reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘Rainbow Stew’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Rainbow Stew Live At Anaheim Stadium’ (MCA Records, 1981), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981
‘From Graceland To The Promised Land’ (written by Merle Haggard) / the original version of this track was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
The original Merle Haggard album, ‘My Farewell To Elvis’ (MCA Records, 1977), reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
On Tuesday 20 April 2010, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘I Am What I Am’ (Vanguard Records, 2010), which was produced by Lou Bradley and Merle Haggard, and included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Seen It Go Away’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Pretty When It’s New’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Oil Tanker Train’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Live & Love Always’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘The Road To My Heart’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘How Did You Find Me Here’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘We’re Falling In Love Again’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Bad Actor’ (written by Doug Colosio, John Scott G., Merle Haggard and Scott Joss)
‘Down At The End of The Road’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Stranger In The City’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Mexican Bands’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I Am What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was only released on amazon.com, despite having received positive reviews as a song which stands out with a heavy bass line and social-critical lyrics
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘I Am What I Am’ (Vanguard Records, 2010), included the following:
Merle Haggard (fiddle, guitar, lead vocals, background vocals)
Theresa Lane Haggard (lead vocals, background vocals)
Ben Haggard (drums, guitar, soloist, background vocals)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020) (bass guitar, drums)
Gary Church (trombone)
Doug Colosio (piano)
Norm Hamlet (steel guitar)
Tim Howard (guitar, soloist)
Rob Ickes (Dobro)
Scott Joss (fiddle, guitar, background vocals)
Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (guitar)
Don Markham (trumpet)
George Receli (drums, percussion, background vocals)
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (guitar)
Merle Haggard’s ‘I Am What I Am’ (Vanguard Records, 2010) reached No.18 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2010, No.77 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2010, and No.11 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2010.
On Tuesday 4 October 2011, Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Working In Tennessee’ (Vanguard Records, 2011), which was produced by Lou Bradley and Merle Haggard, and included the following tracks:
‘Working In Tennessee’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Down On The Houseboat’ (written by Doug Colosio, Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘Cocaine Blues’ (written by T.J. Arnall)
‘What I Hate’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Sometimes I Dream’ (written by Jenessa Haggard and Merle Haggard)
‘Under The Bridge’ (written by Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘Too Much Boogie Woogie’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Truck Driver’s Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard and Tim Howard)
‘Laugh It Off’ (written by Doug Colosio, Merle Haggard and Theresa Lane Haggard)
‘Working Man Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Ben Haggard and Willie Nelson
‘Jackson’, which was written by Jerome ‘Jerry’ Leiber (Tuesday 25 April 1933 – Monday 22 August 2011) and Billy Ed Wheeler / this track featured guest vocals from Theresa Lane Haggard
Personnel involved in the recording of Merle Haggard’s ‘Working in Tennessee’ (Vanguard Records, 2011) included the following:
Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Ben Haggard (vocals, guitar)
Clair ‘Biff’ Adam (Thursday 25 June 1936 – Saturday 7 March 2020), Gene Chrisman and Jeff Ingraham (drums)
George Receli (drums, percussion)
Doug Colosio (keyboards, piano)
Theresa Lane Haggard (background vocals)
David Hood and Kevin Williams (bass)
Tim Howard (drums, guitar)
Rob Ickes (Dobro, pedal steel guitar, slide guitar)
Scott Joss (banjo, fiddle, guitar, background vocals)
Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (guitar)
Joe Manuel (Dobro)
Don Markham (saxophone)
Bobby Wood (piano)
Merle Haggard’s ‘Working In Tennessee’ (Vanguard Records, 2011), which was his final studio album, reached No.30 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2011, No.155 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2011, and No.25 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2011.
On Tuesday 2 June 2015, Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard saw the release of ‘Django and Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015), which was produced by Buddy Cannon, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘It’s All Going To Pot’ (written by Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson and Larry Shell) (No.48, 2015) / this track featured guest vocals from Jamey Johnson
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard’s ‘Django and Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015) also included the following tracks:
‘Django and Jimmie’ (written by Jimmy Melton and Jeff Prince) / this track was a tribute to Django Reinhardt (23 January 1910 – Saturday 16 May 1953) and Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Unfair Weather Friend’ (written by Marla Cannon-Goodman and Ward Davis)
‘Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track featured guest vocals from Bobby Bare
‘Live This Long’ (written by Shawn Camp and Marv Green)
‘Alice In Hulaland’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Willie Nelson)
‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right’ (written by Bob Dylan)
‘Family Bible’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘It’s Only Money’ (written by Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
‘Swinging Doors’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Where Dreams Come To Die’ (written by Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
‘Somewhere Between’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Driving The Herd’ (written by Willie Nelson and Buddy Cannon)
‘The Only Man Wilder Than Me‘ (written by Merle Haggard)
Personnel involved in the recording of Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard’s ‘Django and Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015) included the following:
Merle Haggard (lead vocals)
Willie Nelson (Trigger, lead vocals)
Bobby Bare (vocals on ‘Missing Ol’ Johnny Cash’)
Eddie Bayers, Tony Creasman and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Eli Beaird (bass guitar)
Larry Beaird and Shawn Camp (acoustic guitar)
Wyatt Beard, Melonie Cannon, Alison Krauss and Liana Manis (background vocals)
Jim ‘Moose’ Brown (piano)
Renato Caranto (saxophone)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar)
Kevin ‘Swine’ Grantt (bass guitar, upright bass)
Ben Haggard (electric guitar)
Tony Harrell (keyboards)
Jamey Johnson (vocals on ‘It’s All Going To Pot’)
Mike Johnson (acoustic slide guitar, Dobro, steel guitar)
Catherine Styron Marx (Hammond B-3 organ, piano)
Mickey Raphael (harmonica)
Bobby Terry (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Upon its release, Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard’s ‘Django and Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015) sold 31,000 units, and reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2015; the album also reached No.7 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2015, becoming Willie Nelson’s fourth Top 10 album on the chart and Merle Haggard’s first.
As of May 2016, Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard’s ‘Django and Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015) had sold 148,000 copies in the United States, and was well received by the critics.
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard’s ‘Django and Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015) also reached the following album chart positions in 2015:
Australian Albums Chart (ARIA): No.31
Austrian Albums Chart (Ö3 Austria): No.50
Belgian Albums Chart (Ultratop Flanders): No.172
Canadian Albums Chart (Billboard): No.16
Dutch Albums Chart (MegaCharts): No.50
Irish Albums Chart (IRMA): No.70
Swiss Albums Chart (Schweizer Hitparade): No.78
United Kingdom Albums Chart (OCC): No.66
Merle Haggard – Songwriter Extraordinaire!
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was co-written with Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016), and included the track on ‘Don’t Take Advantage of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1965).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Longer You Wait’ and included the track on ‘Don’t Take Advantage of Me’ (Capitol Records, 1965).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘All The World Is Lonely Now’ (Kapp Records, 1966).
Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘The Lovin’ Machine’ (Little Darlin’ Records, 1966).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Touch My Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1966).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) & The Strangers recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ and included the track on ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) & The Strangers recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Will You Want Me Just As Much’, which was co-written with Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), and included the track on ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) & The Strangers recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Consider The Children’ (co-written with Dean Holloway) and included the track on ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) & The Strangers recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somebody Else You’ve Known’ and included the track on ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) & The Strangers recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘You Don’t Even Try’ (co-written with Fuzzy Owen) and included the track on ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Goin’ To Cal’s Place’ (Kapp Records, 1967).
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) & His Buckaroos recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘House of Memories’ and included the track on ‘Your Tender Loving Care’ (Capitol Records, 1967); this album was re-issued, on CD, by Sundazed Records, in 1995.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Threw Away The Rose’ and included the track on ‘Conway Twitty Country’ (Decca Records, 1967).
Bobby Austin (Friday 5 May 1933 – Sunday 6 January 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Some of Us Never Learn’ and included the track on ‘Apartment No.9’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Bobby Austin (Friday 5 May 1933 – Sunday 6 January 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m Not Looking For An Angel’ (co-written with Fuzzy Owen) and included the track on ‘Apartment No.9’ (Capitol Records, 1967).
Leon Walton (Monday 18 May 1936 – Sunday 20 October 2013) (known professionally as Leon Ashley) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Branded Man’ and included the track on ‘Laura’ (RCA Victor Records, 1967).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Threw Away The Rose’ and included the track on ‘The Country Way’ (RCA Records, 1967).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Threw Away The Rose’ and included the track on ‘Travelin’ Man’ (Kapp Records, 1968).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’ (co-written with Bonnie Owens) and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Gone Crazy’ (co-written with Bonnie Owens) and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Whatever Happened To Me’ and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
The International Submarine Band, featuring the vocals of Gram Parsons (Tuesday 5 November 1946 – Wednesday 19 September 1973), recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Must Be Somebody Else You’ve Known’ and included the track on ‘Safe At Home’ (LHI Records, 1968).
Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Take A Lot of Pride In Who I Am’ and included the track on ‘Johnny One Time’ (Columbia Records, 1968).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘The Bottom of The Bottle’ (RCA Victor Records, 1968).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘The Bottom of The Bottle’ (RCA Victor Records, 1968).
Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Threw Away The Rose’ and included the track on ‘The Bottom of The Bottle’ (RCA Victor Records, 1968).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘D-I-V-O-R-C-E’ (Epic Records, 1968).
The Byrds, featuring the lead vocals of Gram Parsons (Tuesday 5 November 1946 – Wednesday 19 September 1973), recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Life In Prison’ (co-written with Jelly Sanders) and included the track on ‘Sweetheart of The Rodeo’ (Columbia Records, 1968).
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘A New Place In The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Bobby Austin (Friday 5 May 1933 – Sunday 6 January 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Look Over Me’ and included the track on ‘An Old Love Never Dies’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Here’s Conway Twitty’ (Decca Records, 1968).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Country Hit Time’ (Decca Records, 1968).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Country Hit Time’ (Decca Records, 1968).
Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘I Walk Alone’ (Columbia Records, 1968).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Next In Line’ (Decca Records, 1968).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Next In Line’ (Decca Records, 1968).
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) & His Buckaroos recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Sweet Rosie Jones’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
Glen Harold Garrison (Saturday 13 June 1942 – Saturday 14 August 1971) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘If I Lived Here’ (Imperial Records, 1968).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Drinking Champagne’ (Kapp Records, 1968).
The Everly Brothers – Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021) and Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Roots’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1968).
The Everly Brothers – Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021) and Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Roots’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1968).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Jewels’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘My Ramona’ and included the track on ‘Jewels’ (RCA Records, 1968).
Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Softly’ (RCA Victor Records, 1968).
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Keep Me From Cryin’ Today’ and included the track on ‘Mr. Walker, It’s All Over’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
On Monday 29 September 2003, England’s Hux Records released Billie Jo Spears’ ‘Mr. Walker, It’s All Over’ (Capitol Records, 1969), along with Billie Jo Spears’ ‘Just Singing’ (Capitol Records, 1972), as a special ‘2-on-1‘ CD set (HUX 44).
Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ and included the track on ‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (Reprise Records, 1969); the track reached No.75 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1969.
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’ll Look Over You’ and included the track on ‘Lead Me On’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Back of My Hand’ and included the track on ‘Lead Me On’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Livin’ On Your Love’ and included the track on ‘Lead Me On’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Hungry Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Darling, You Know I Wouldn’t Lie’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Saturday Satan, Sunday Saint’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Connie Smith recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Connie’s Country’ (RCA Records, 1969).
Connie Smith recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was co-written with Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016), and included the track on ‘Connie’s Country’ (RCA Records, 1969).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’d Rather Be Gone’ and included the track on ‘Hank Williams Jr’s Greatest Hits’ (MGM Records, 1969); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969.
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Miss Sincerity’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘You’ll Never Love Me Now’ and included the track on ‘Miss Sincerity’ (Capitol Records, 1969).
Warner Hensley McPherson Jr. (Warner Mack) (Friday 5 April 1935 – Tuesday 1 March 2022) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Workin’ Man Blues’ and included the track on ‘I’ll Still Be Missing You’ (Decca Records, 1969).
John Wakely recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Please Don’t Hurt Me Anymore’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Johnny Tillotson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Tears On My Pillow’ (Amos Records, 1969).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) & Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘If We Put Our Heads Together’ (Decca Records, 1969).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘You Wouldn’t Know Love’ (Columbia Records, 1969).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘All of Me Belongs To You’ and included the track on ‘Waylon’ (RCA Records, 1970); the track was a duet with Anita Carter (Friday 31 March 1933 – Thursday 29 July 1999).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’ and included the track on ‘Just Plain Charley’ (RCA Victor Records, 1970).
Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘Your Love Is Heavenly Sunshine’ (Capitol Records, 1970).
Jeannie C. Riley recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘The Generation Gap’ (Plantation Records, 1970).
Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘A Place In The Country’ (RCA Victor Records, 1970).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’d Rather Be Gone’ and included the track on ‘To See My Angel Cry’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘To See My Angel Cry’ (Decca Records, 1970).
Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Hits, Hits, The Don Gibson Way’ (Hickory Records, 1970).
Freddy Weller recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘Listen To The Young Folks’ (Columbia Records, 1970).
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Love & Guitars’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Country & West’ (RCA Records, 1970).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Workin’ Man Blues’ and included the track on ‘Country Hit Parade’ (Kapp Records, 1970).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘Country Hit Parade’ (Kapp Records, 1970).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Hungry Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Country Hit Parade’ (Kapp Records, 1970).
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Silver Wings’ and included the track on ‘All My Hard Times’ (Mercury Records, 1970).
Melba Montgomery recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Hungry Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Don’t Keep Me Lonely Too Long’ (Capitol Records, 1970).
Dick Bruning (1940 – Friday 8 February 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘The Smooth Country Style of Dick Bruning’ (Stop Records, 1970).
The Everly Brothers – Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021) and Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘The Everly Brothers Show’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1970).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Willie’s Winter Love’ and included the track on ‘Forever Yours’ (RCA Victor Records, 1970).
The Flying Burrito Brothers – Rick Roberts (vocals, rhythm guitar), Chris Hillman (vocals, bass), Sneaky Pete Kleinow (Monday 20 August 1934 – Saturday 6 January 2007) (pedal steel guitar), Bernie Leadon (vocals, guitars, banjo) and Michael Clarke (Monday 3 June 1946 – Sunday 19 December 1993) (drums) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘White Line Fever’ and included the track on ‘The Flying Burrito Brothers’ (A&M Records, 1971).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Wonder What She’ll Think About Me Leaving’ and included the track on ‘I Wonder What She’ll Think About Me Leaving’ (Decca Records, 1971); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971.
Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 – Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Is It Any Wonder That I Love You’ (Epic Records, 1971).
Hank Snow (Saturday 9 May 1914 – Monday 20 December 1999) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ and included the track on ‘Award Winners’ (RCA Records, 1971); the track reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Top Country Tracks Chart in 1971.
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘One Sweet Hello’ and included the track on ‘One Sweet Hello’ (Decca Records, 1971).
Freddy Weller recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ and included the track on ‘Another Night of Love’ (Columbia Records, 1971).
Connie Smith recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Jesus, Take A Hold’ and included the track on ‘Where Is My Castle’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Willie Nelson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Willie Nelson & Family’ (RCA Records, 1971).
Charlie McCoy recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘The Real McCoy’ (Monument Records, 1972); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972.
Obie Burnett McClinton (Thursday 25 April 1940 – Wednesday 25 September 1987) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘O.B. Country’ (Enterprise Records, 1972).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) & The First Edition recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Backroads’ (Jolly Rogers Records, 1972).
Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m A White Boy’ and included the track on ‘Two Sides of Crash’ (ABC Records, 1973).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘A Shoulder To Cry On’ and included the track on ‘Sweet Country’ (RCA Victor Records, 1973); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1973.
Johnny Rodriguez recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Love & Honor’ and included the track on ‘All I Ever Meant To Do Was Sing’ (Mercury Records, 1973).
Ronnie Milsap recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Branded Man’ and included the track on ‘Where My Heart Is’ (RCA Records, 1973).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Swinging Doors’ (Coral Records, 1973).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was co-written with Roy Edward Burris (Tuesday 27 October 1931 – Tuesday 19 April 2011), and included the track on ‘Swinging Doors’ (Coral Records, 1973).
Obie Burnett McClinton (Thursday 25 April 1940 – Wednesday 25 September 1987) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Obie from Senatobie’ (Enterprise Records, 1973).
The Seldom Scene recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Act III’ (Rebel Records, 1973); the track was also included on ‘The Best of The Seldom Scene, Volume 1’ (Rebel Records, 1987).
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Room Full of Roses’ (Playboy Records, 1974).
Mel Street (Saturday 21 October 1933 – Saturday 21 October 1978) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Two Way Street’ (GRT Records, 1974).
Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 – Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Red Cadillac & A Red Moustache’ (Epic Records, 1974).
Barbara Mandrell recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘This Time I Almost Made It’ (Columbia Records, 1974).
Kenny Seratt (Saturday 20 October 1934 – Wednesday 26 August 2015) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Love & Honor’ and included the track on ‘Love & Honor’ (MGM Records, 1974).
Kenny Seratt (Saturday 20 October 1934 – Wednesday 26 August 2015) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ and included the track on ‘Love & Honor’ (MGM Records, 1974).
Jonathan Edwards recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Lucky Day’ (Atco Records, 1974).
The Flying Burrito Brothers – Rick Roberts (vocals, rhythm guitar), Chris Hillman (vocals, bass), Sneaky Pete Kleinow (Monday 20 August 1934 – Saturday 6 January 2007) (pedal steel guitar), Bernie Leadon (vocals, guitars, banjo) and Michael Clarke (Monday 3 June 1946 – Sunday 19 December 1993) (drums) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me back Home’ and included the track on ‘Close Up The Honky Tonks’ (A&M Records, 1974).
Dolly Parton recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘You’ll Always Be Special To Me’ and included the track on ‘The Bargain Store’ (RCA Records, 1975).
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Holding Things Together’ and included the track on ‘Ernest Tubb’ (MCA Records, 1975).
Sammi Smith (Thursday 5 August 1943 – Saturday 12 February 2005) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’ (Mega Records, 1975); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
BJ Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 – Saturday 29 May 2021) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Help Me Make It (To My Rockin’ Chair)’ (ABC Records, 1975).
Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Life’s Like Poetry’ and included the track on ‘The Classic Style of Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1975); the track, which reached No.67 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975, was subsequently included on ‘Lefty Frizzell: The ABC Collection’ (ABC Records, 1977).
Ronnie Reno recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘September In Miami’ and included the track on ‘For The First Time’ (MCA Records, 1975).
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Always Wanting You’ and included the track on ‘Home’ (MCA Records, 1975).
Dolly Parton recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Life’s Like Poetry’ and included the track on ‘All I Can Do’ (RCA Records, 1976).
Stoney Edwards (Tuesday 24 December 1929 – Saturday 5 April 1997) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Don’t Give Up On Me’ and included the track on ‘Blackbird’ (Capitol Records, 1976).
The Flying Burrito Brothers – Rick Roberts (vocals, rhythm guitar), Chris Hillman (vocals, bass), Sneaky Pete Kleinow (Monday 20 August 1934 – Saturday 6 January 2007) (pedal steel guitar), Bernie Leadon (vocals, guitars, banjo) and Michael Clarke (Monday 3 June 1946 – Sunday 19 December 1993) (drums) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Sleepness Nights’ (A&M Records, 1976).
The Flying Burrito Brothers – Rick Roberts (vocals, rhythm guitar), Chris Hillman (vocals, bass), Sneaky Pete Kleinow (Monday 20 August 1934 – Saturday 6 January 2007) (pedal steel guitar), Bernie Leadon (vocals, guitars, banjo) and Michael Clarke (Monday 3 June 1946 – Sunday 19 December 1993) (drums) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Sleepness Nights’ (A&M Records, 1976).
Kenny Seratt (Saturday 20 October 1934 – Wednesday 26 August 2015) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Threw Away The Rose’ and included the track on ‘Kenny Seratt’ (Music City Records, 1977).
Johnny Rodriguez recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Immigrant’, which was co-written with Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), and included the track on ‘Savin’ This Love Song For You’ (Mercury Records, 1977).
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Always Wanting You’ and included the track on ‘That Young Feeling’ (Mercury Records, 1978).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Always Been Crazy’ (RCA Victor Records, 1978).
In 1979, Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) saw the release of ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (Cachet Records, 1979); one of the included tracks was ‘Walkin’ The Floor Over Me’ (written by Ernest Tubb), which featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard and Charlie Daniels (Wednesday 28 October 1936 – Monday 6 July 2020), and reached No.31 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.
When Ernest Tubb’s ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (Cachet Records, 1979) was re-issued, as a 2-CD set by Step One Records in 1989, it featured additional tracks, including Merle Haggard on ‘Seaman’s Blues’ (written by Ernest Tubb).
Johnny Rodriguez recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ and included the track on ‘Rodriguez Was Here’ (Mercury Records, 1979).
Johnnie Allan recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Cajun Country’ (Jin Records, 1980).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Footlights’ and included the track on ‘Rowdy’ (Elektra Records, 1981).
The Seldom Scene recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If I’d Left It Up To You’ and included the track on ‘After Midnight’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1981).
Stoney Edwards (Tuesday 24 December 1929 – Saturday 5 April 1997) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Fightin’ Side of Me’ and included the track on ‘No Way To Drown A Memory’ (Boot Records, 1981).
Elvis Costello & The Attractions recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Almost Blue’ (United Kingdom: F-Beat Records, 1981 / United States: Columbia Records, 1981); the album was produced by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015).
James Dee (J.D.) Crowe (Friday 27 August 1937 – Friday 24 December 2021) & The New South recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’ and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Rounder Records, 1982).
Jerry Max Lane recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Swingin’ Doors’ (Brylen Records, 1982).
Jerry Max Lane recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Swingin’ Doors’ (Brylen Records, 1982).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Always Get Lucky With You’, which was co-written with Tex Whitson, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Gary Church, and included the track on ‘Shine On’ (Epic Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July / August 1983.
George Strait recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Our Paths May Never Cross’ and included the track on ‘Right Or Wrong’ (MCA Records, 1983).
Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ and included the track on ‘The Nashville Sessions’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983); the track was a duet with Merle Haggard.
Gene Watson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Must Be Somebody Else’ and included the track on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984); the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard, who included it on ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Big City’ (co-written with Dean Holloway) and included the track on ‘Turn Me Loose’ (51 West Records, 1984).
Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘My Favourite Memory’ and included the track on ‘Turn Me Loose’ (51 West Records, 1984).
Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004) recorded ‘Little Hotel Room’, which was written by Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016), and included the track on ‘Friendship’ (Columbia Records, 1985); the track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard.
Ray Charles’ ‘Friendship’ (Columbia Records, 1985) was re-issued by Columbia Records / Legacy Records in 2005.
The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) and Jeannie Kendall – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’ and included the track on ‘Two Heart Harmony’ (Mercury Records, 1985).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986).
Randy Travis recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Good Intentions’ (co-written with Marvin Coe and Randy Travis) and included the track on ‘Always & Forever’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1987).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Workin’ Man Blues’ and included the track on ‘Wild-Eyed Dreams’ (Columbia Records, 1987).
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Back To Basics’ (Epic Records, 1987).
Suzy Bogguss recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’ and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Liberty Records, 1989).
Benny Berry recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’m Turning Off A Memory’ and included the track on ‘Standing Here Alone’ (Hawk Records, 1990).
The Osborne Brothers – Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021) and Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Working Man Blues’ and included the track on ‘Hillbilly Fever’ (CMH Records, 1991).
Tony Toliver recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Tony Toliver’ (Curb Records, 1991).
Lost & Found recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Farmer’s Daughter’ and included the track on ‘January Rain’ (Rebel Records, 1992).
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Not Fade Away’ (Capitol Records, 1992).
Benny Berry recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Jesus, Take A Hold’ and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Alison Krauss & The Cox Family recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Where No One Stands Alone’, which was co-written with Thomas Mosie Lister (Thursday 8 September 1921 – Thursday 12 February 2015), and included the track on ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow’ (Rounder Records, 1994).
Ronnie Reno & The Reno Brothers (Don Wayne Reno and Dale Reno) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Love Slips Away’ (co-written with Ronnie Reno) and included the track on ‘Swing West’ (Pinecastle Records, 1995); this album also included ‘I’m So Dog Gone Used To Lovin’ You’, which was written by Wayne Carson (Monday 31 May 1943 – Monday 20 July 2015) and Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017), which name-checked Merle Haggard.
Lost & Found recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘A Ride Through The Country’ (Rebel Records, 1995).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) & Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Solid As A Rock’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘One’ (MCA Records, 1995).
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Trail of Tears’ (Mercury Records, 1996).
Johnny Rodriguez recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If I’d Left It Up To You’ and included the track on ‘You Can Say That Again’ (Hightone Records, 1996).
Iris DeMent recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘This Kind of Happy’ (co-written with Iris DeMent) and included the track on ‘The Way I Should’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).
Blue Highway recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Huntsville’, which was co-written with Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016), and included the track on ‘Wind To The West’ (Rebel Records, 1996).
Daniel O’Donnell & Mary Duff recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Somewhere Between’ and included the track on ‘Timeless’ (Ritz Records, 1996).
On Tuesday 24 June 1997, Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) saw the release of ‘Butterfly Kisses’ (Curb Records, 1997), which was produced by Chuck Howard and Merle Haggard; one of the included tracks was ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and was a duet with Merle Haggard.
Kathy Robertson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Turn Me On’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘To Roy Nichols With Love…’ (Cowgirl Records, 1997), which was an album project dedicated to Roy Nichols (Friday 21 October 1932 – Tuesday 3 July 2001).
Kathy Robertson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Shopping For Dresses’, which was co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015), and included the track on ‘To Roy Nichols With Love…’ (Cowgirl Records, 1997); the track featured guest vocals from Joe Manuel.
Kathy Robertson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide’, which was co-written with Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), and included the track on ‘To Roy Nichols With Love…’ (Cowgirl Records, 1997); the track featured guest vocals from James Intveld.
Kathy Robertson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘To Roy Nichols With Love…’ (Cowgirl Records, 1997).
Logue & McCool – Chris Logue and Pat McCool (Tuesday 14 October 1952 – Monday 18 October 2010) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Beautiful Time’ and included the track on ‘Unconditional Love’ (Hazel Music, 1997).
Logue & McCool – Chris Logue and Pat McCool (Tuesday 14 October 1952 – Monday 18 October 2010) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Wake Up’ (co-written with Fuzzy Owen) and included the track on ‘Unconditional Love’ (Hazel Music, 1997).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘When The Feeling Goes Away’ and included the track on ‘Making Plans’ (Vanguard Records, 1998).
The Larry Stephenson Band – Larry Stephenson (mandolin, lead vocals), Kristin Scott (banjo), Mickey Harris (acoustic bass, harmony vocals) and Booie Beach (guitar) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’ve Got A Yearning’ and included the track on ‘On Fire’ (Pinecastle Records, 1998).
The Great Western Squares – Gary Fitzpatrick (vocals,guitar), Oona White (vocals), Stan Erraught (guitar), Tim Rogers (fiddle), Gary O’Growney (mandolin), Pat McGauley (bass guitar) and Alan Murphy (drums) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Almost Sober’ (blunt / Independent Blind, 1998).
Danni Leigh recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mixed Up Mess of A Heart’, which was co-written with Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000), and included the track on ’29 Nights’ (Universal Records, 1998).
The Flying Burrito Brothers – John Beland (guitar, harmonica, keyboards, mandolin, percussion, vocals, production), Wayne Bridge (pedal steel guitar, Dobro), Larry Patton (bass, vocals) and Gary Kubal (drums, percussion) – recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Hungry Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Sons of The Golden West’ (Arista Records, 1999); the track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard.
Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If We Make It Through December’ and included the track on ‘Winter’s Grace’ (Dog Boy Records, 1999).
George Strait recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘My Life’s Been Grand’ (co-written with Terry Gordon) and included the track on ‘The Road Less Traveled’ (MCA Records, 2001); the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard, who included it on ‘Out Among The Stars’ (Epic Records, 1986).
David Ball recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Trying Not To Love You’ and included the track on ‘Amigo’ (Dualtone Records, 2001).
Robin & Linda Williams recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Visions of Love’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2002).
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Make-up & Faded Blue Jeans’ and included the track on ‘That’s Why I Sing This Way’ (Audium Records / Koch Records, 2002).
Dwight Yoakam recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Holding Things Together’ (co-written with Bob Totten) and included the track on ‘In Others’ Words’ (Reprise Records, 2003).
Joe Bonson & Coffee Run (Wendy Bonson and Darren Kauffman) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Love Train’ (Arch Tech Records, 2004).
Jason Ringenberg recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Rainbow Stew’ and included the track on ‘Empire Builders’ (Spit & Polish Records, 2004).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Hits I Missed…& One I Didn’t’ (Bandit Records, 2005), which was produced by Keith Stegall.
Marti Brom recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Thirteen Steps Away’ and included the track on ‘Marti Brom Sings…Heartache Numbers’ (Goofin’ Music Records, 2005).
Billy Keeble recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If I’d Left It Up To You’ and included the track on ‘The Real Me’ (Global Records, 2005), an album, which was produced by Curt Ryle.
George Strait recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Seashores of Old Mexico’ and included the track on ‘Somewhere Down In Texas’ (MCA Records, 2005); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in early 2006.
Mark Chesnutt recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘A Shoulder To Cry On’ and included the track on ‘Heard It In A Love Song’ (CBUJ Records, 2006).
The Grascals recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘You Don’t Have Very Far To Go’, which was co-written with Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016), and included the track on ‘Long List of Heartaches’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Jimmy Buffett (Wednesday 25 December 1946 – Friday 1 September 2023) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Silver Wings’ and included the track on ‘Take The Weather With You’ (RCA Records, 2006).
Joe Nichols recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If I Could Only Fly’ and included the track on ‘Real Things’ (Universal South Records, 2007); the track featured guest vocals from Lee Ann Womack.
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Straight From The Heart’ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
The Seldom Scene recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Scenechronized’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2007).
Gene Watson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006); this track, which featured vocal harmonies from Lee Ann Womack, was included on ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2008); the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard, who included it on ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968).
The Grascals recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Keep On Walkin’ (Rounder Records, 2008).
Marianne Faithfull recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (France: Naive Records, 2008 / United States: Decca Records, 2009 / England: Dramatico Records, 2009 / Australia: Shock Records, 2009); the track featured guest vocals from Keith Richards.
Aaron Tippin recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Movin’ On’ and included the track on ‘In Overdrive’ (Country Crossing Records, 2009).
Johnny Rodriguez & Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If Cheaters Never Win’, which was co-written with Leona Williams, and included the track on ‘Texas Legends’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2009).
Johnny Rodriguez & Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘There’s Somebody Else On Your Mind’ and included the track on ‘Texas Legends’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2009).
Wynonna Judd recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)’ and included the track on ‘Sing: Chapter 1’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Janie Brannon (Sunday 26 September 1943 – Thursday 27 June 2013) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I’ve Got A Yearning’ and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk Memories’ (Hillside Records, 2010).
Willie Nelson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was co-written with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘Remember Me, Volume 1’ (R&J Records, 2011).
Willie Nelson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ and included the track on ‘Remember Me, Volume 1’ (R&J Records, 2011).
LeAnn Rimes recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Can’t Be Myself’ and included the track on ‘Lady & Gentlemen’ (Curb Records, 2011).
LeAnn Rimes recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Lady & Gentlemen’ (Curb Records, 2011).
Anthony Wilson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Life’s Just Not The Way It Used To Be’ and included the track on ‘My Friend The Jukebox’ (AH-HA Music Group, 2011).
Terri Clark recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Swinging Doors’ and included the track on ‘Classic’ (Bare Tracks Records / EMI Canada, 2012).
Wendel Adkins recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Daddy Frank (Guitar Man)’ and included the track on ‘My Lindesnes, Norway Album’ (Lindesnes Records, 2012).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink’ and included the track on ‘Old School, New Rules’ (Bocephus Records, 2012); the track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard.
Hank Williams III recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Long Gone Daddy’ (Curb Records, 2012).
Clinton Gregory Bluegrass Band recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Looking For A Place To Fall Apart’, which was co-written with Willie Nelson and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016), and included the track on ‘Roots of My Raising’ (Melody Roundup Music Records, 2013).
Clinton Gregory Bluegrass Band recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Living With The Shades Pulled Down’, which was co-written with Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Felice Bryant (Wednesday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003), and included the track on ‘Roots of My Raising’ (Melody Roundup Music Records, 2013).
THE ROYS (Lee Roy & Elaine Roy) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ and included the track on ‘Gypsy Runaway Train’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2013).
Garth Brooks recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down’ and included the track on ‘Blame It All On My Roots: Five Decades of Influences’ (Pearl Records, 2013); the track was included within the ‘Country Classics’ album.
Randy Travis recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Someday We’ll Look Back’ and included the track on ‘Influence, Volume 1: The Man I Am’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2013).
Gene Watson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘I Forget You Every Day’ and included the track on ‘My Heroes Have Always Been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014); the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard, who included it on ‘I Love Dixie Blues’ (Capitol Records, 1973), and an alternative version was included on Merle Haggard’s ‘Songs I’ll Always Sing’ (Capitol Records, 1977).
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Sing Me Back Home’ and included the track on ‘Reflections’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2014).
Lonesome River Band recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Shelley’s Winter Love’ and included the track on ‘Turn On A Dime’ (Mountain Home Records, 2014).
Randy Travis recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Are The Good Times Really Over’ and included the track on ‘Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am’ (Warner Bros. Records Nashville, 2014).
Justin Trevino recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Shelley’s Winter Love’ and included the track on ‘Live At London Dance Hall’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2015).
T.G. Sheppard recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Song Man’ and included the track on ‘T.G. Sheppard: Duets With The Legends of Country Music’ (Cleopatra / Goldenlane, 2015); the track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard.
Mark Chesnutt recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘There Won’t Be Another Now’, which was co-written with Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), and included the track on ‘Tradition Lives’ (BFD Records / Red River, 2016); the track was a tribute to Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015).
Dale Watson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Here In Frisco’ and included the track on ‘Under The Influence’ (Red River Entertainment, 2016).
Dale Watson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If You Want To Be My Woman’ and included the track on ‘Under The Influence’ (Red River Entertainment, 2016).
On Friday 7 October 2016, Mo Pitney saw the release of his debut album, ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016); one of the included tracks was ‘I Met Merle Haggard Today’ (written by Mo Pitney and Don Sampson).
Mo Pitney‘s debut album, ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016), reached No.10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2016, and No.76 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart in 2016.
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (co-written with Dean Holloway) and included the track on ‘Thin Line’ (Blue Cadillac Music, 2016); the track featured guest vocals from Braison Cyrus.
The Reeves Brothers recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘C.C. Waterback’ and included the track on ‘King of Country Music’ (Reeves Brothers Music, 2017).
Lisa McHugh recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Mama Tried’ and included the track on ‘Who I Am’ (Sharpe Music, 2017).
Shelby Lynne & Allison Moorer recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Silver Wings’ and included the track on ‘Not Dark Yet’ (Thirty Tigers / Silver Cross Records, 2017).
In 2017, Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham) saw the release of ‘Best Troubador’ (Domino Records, 2017), which was a tribute album to Merle Haggard, and included the following tracks:
‘The Fugitive’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall’ (written by Chuck Howard)
‘The Day The Rains Came’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Haggard (Like I’ve Never Been Before)’
‘I Always Get Lucky With You’, which was written by Tex Whitson, Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016) and Gary Church
‘Leonard’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘My Old Pal’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933) and Elsie McWilliams
‘Roses In The Winter’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Some of Us Fly’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘Wouldn’t That Be Something’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers (Tuesday 13 October 1931 – Tuesday 21 June 2016)
‘Pray’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Nobody’s Darling, But Mine’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000)
‘What I Hate’ (excerpt)
‘I Am What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘If I Could Only Fly’, which was written by Blaze Foley (Sunday 18 December 1949 – Wednesday 1 February 1989)
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard)
‘No Time To Cry’ (written by Iris DeMent)
Wade Hayes recorded Merle Haggard’s’ ‘Going Where The Lonely Goes’ (co-written with Dean Holloway) and included the track on ‘Old Country Song’ (Conabor Records, 2017) / the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard, who included it on ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (Epic Records, 1982); Merle Haggard’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1983.
Sturgill Simpson recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Hobo Cartoon’ (co-written with Sturgill Simpson) and included the track on ‘Cuttin’ Grass, Volume 2: Cowboy Arms Sessions’ (High Top Mountain Records, 2020). The cover art copyright for Sturgill Simpson’s ‘Cuttin’ Grass, Volume 2: Cowboy Arms Sessions’ (High Top Mountain Records, 2020) belongs to High Top Mountain Records and the graphic artist.
Adam Harvey recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Ramblin’ Fever’ and included the track on ‘Songs From Highway One’ (Sony Music Austrlia, 2021); the track featured guest vocals from Lee Kernaghan.
Connie Smith recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Jesus, Take A Hold’ and included the track on ‘The Cry of The Heart’ (Fat Possum Records, 2021).
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Going Where The Lonely Go’ (co-written with Dean Holloway) and included the track on ‘Raising The Roof’ (Rounder Records / Concord Records, 2021).
Clinton Wayne recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘If I Had Left It Up To You’ and included the track on ‘Blues On Parade’ (Clinton Wayne Independent Release, 2021).
The Malpass Brothers (Christopher Malpass and Taylor Dunn) recorded Merle Haggard’s ‘Love Slips Away’ (co-written with Ronnie Reno) and included the track on ‘Lonely Street’ (Billy Jam Records / Orchard / Malpass Records, 2023).
• Visit Merle Haggard‘s profile at Country Music Hall of Fame