Merle Ronald Haggard was
born April 6th 1937 at Kern General
Hospital in Bakersfield California. His Father's name was
James Haggard, Mother Flossie. He had a Brother
Lowell and Sister Lillian. He was raised in a box
car converted from a refrigerated train car. It was
300 yards from the Santa Fe Southern Pacific
oil spur. So Merle grew up with trains. One of his
greatest Christmas presents was an electric train set. His
dad died when he was only nine. Growing up without a
strong father would prove costly. Merle hopped a freight
train when he was 11. He kept getting into trouble
each time he was in a juvenal hall he would escape.
Finally he wound up in the tough prison of San Quinton.
Merle really did as the song say's "I
Turned 21 in prison" but he wasn't serving life
without parole. In prison he wasn't one to play by
the rules inside either After a week in
solitary confinement. for making beer and being drunk in
the prison yard. Merle straighten himself out.
(thank goodness for country music) Almost 3 years
later he was paroled. He went back to Bakersfield
found honest work with his brother Lowell. One day
his life would change forever. He started play at a
local bar "High Pockets" One thing would
lead to another. One break after the other would make him
one of the all time country greats. Many of Merle's
song that he has written over the years come from
incidents in his life. At age 63 Merle still tours,
records and writes new songs. His music is still
influencing today's stars I recommend to any and all
Merle Haggard fans to read both of the biography's
"Sing me Back Home" and "My House Of
Memories" Merle is know as the poet of the
common man. His songwriting reflects what he has lived in
many of his songs. Here are some of the many awards
Merle has won over the years
Grammy Best Country
Collaboration With Vocals 1998
Grammy Hall Of Fame Awards 1998
TNN/Music City News Living Legend 1990
Grammy Best Male Country Vocal Performance
1984
CMA Vocal Duo of the Year 1983
Academy of Country Music Song of the Year 1982
Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1981
BMI Songwriters/Publishers of the Year 1980
BMI Songwriters/Publishers of the Year 1976
Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1974
CMA Album of the Year 1972
Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1972
CMA Album of the Year 1970
CMA Entertainer of the Year 1970
CMA Male Vocalist of the Year 1970
CMA Single of the Year 1970
Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the
Year 1970
Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1970
Academy of Country Music Album of the Year
1969
Academy of Country Music Single of the Year
1969
Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1969
Music City News Country Male Artist of the
Year 1968
Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duet 1968
Music City News Country Male Artist of the
Year 1967
Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duet 1967
Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist
1966
Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duet 1966
Academy of Country Music Top New Male Vocalist
1965
Academy of Country Music Top Vocal Duet
There are many wonderful sites on Merle
please visit them to learn more about this American
legend.
General
Hospital in Bakersfield California. His Father's name was
James Haggard, Mother Flossie. He had a Brother
Lowell and Sister Lillian. He was raised in a box
car converted from a refrigerated train car. It was
300 yards from the Santa Fe Southern Pacific
oil spur. So Merle grew up with trains. One of his
greatest Christmas presents was an electric train set. His
dad died when he was only nine. Growing up without a
strong father would prove costly. Merle hopped a freight
train when he was 11. He kept getting into trouble
each time he was in a juvenal hall he would escape.
Finally he wound up in the tough prison of San Quinton.
Merle really did as the song say's "I
Turned 21 in prison" but he wasn't serving life
without parole. In prison he wasn't one to play by
the rules inside either After a week in
solitary confinement. for making beer and being drunk in
the prison yard. Merle straighten himself out.
(thank goodness for country music) Almost 3 years
later he was paroled. He went back to Bakersfield
found honest work with his brother Lowell. One day
his life would change forever. He started play at a
local bar "High Pockets" One thing would
lead to another. One break after the other would make him
one of the all time country greats. Many of Merle's
song that he has written over the years come from
incidents in his life. At age 63 Merle still tours,
records and writes new songs. His music is still
influencing today's stars I recommend to any and all
Merle Haggard fans to read both of the biography's
"Sing me Back Home" and "My House Of
Memories" Merle is know as the poet of the
common man. His songwriting reflects what he has lived in
many of his songs. Here are some of the many awards
Merle has won over the years