Merle Haggard

Country Music Singer and Songwriter Merle Haggard
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Full Name: Merle Ronald Haggard
Profession: Country Music Singer and Songwriter

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: Haggard is a American country music star of the sixties, seventies and eighties, although he has continued to release albums into the 2000's.

He has had 38 No. 1 hits (including a streak of 26 Number One country singles in the 1960s). Some of Haggard's most popular songs include "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive," "Mama Tried," "Branded Man," and "Okie From Muskogee". He has released 70 albums and 600 songs, 250 of which he has written himself.

Haggard was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1977, and into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

Born: April 6, 1937
Birthplace: Bakersfield, California, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Aries

Died: April 6, 2016 (aged 79)

Married Life

  • 1965-06-28 American country singer Merle Haggard (28) weds singer Bonnie Owens (35); divorce in 1978
  • 1978-10-07 American country singer-songwriter Merle Haggard (41) weds his backup singer Leona Williams (35); divorce in 1983
  • 1985-06-01 Country singer Merle Haggard (48) weds fourth wife Debbie Parret; divorce in 1991
  • 1993-09-11 Country singer Merle Haggard (56) weds (fifth and final time) Theresa Ann Lane at his ranch near Redding, California

Historical Events

  • 1960-01-01 Johnny Cash plays first of many free concerts behind bars at San Quentin Prison, California; Merle Haggard among the inmate audience
  • 1963-12-28 Merle Haggard's 1st appearance on country music chart with "Sing a Sad Song"
  • 1967-03-06 2nd Academy of Country Music Awards: Merle Haggard and Bonnie Guitar win
  • 1970-04-13 5th Academy of Country Music Awards: Merle Haggard and Tammy Wynette win
  • 1970-10-14 4th Country Music Association Awards: Merle Haggard wins
  • 1971-03-22 6th Academy of Country Music Awards: Merle Haggard and Lynn Anderson win
  • 1973-02-26 8th Academy of Country Music Awards: Merle Haggard and Donna Fargo win
  • 1975-03-05 10th Academy of Country Music Awards: Merle Haggard and Loretta Lynn win
  • 1982-04-29 17th Academy of Country Music Awards: Alabama, Merle Haggard, and Barbara Mandrell win
  • 2007-09-09 Farm Aid 20 held in Randall Island, New York City; performers include Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Merle Haggard, Billy Joe Shaver, Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, and Jimmy Sturr

Biographies and Sources