Merle Haggard

Induction Year: 1977

Birth Name: Merle Ronald Haggard
Birth Date: April 06, 1937
Place of Birth: Bakersfield, CA

Biography

"The years roll through my head, and song titles, like signposts, tell about living on the mountain and walking in the valley. From 'beer-can hill,' the honky-tonks of Bakersfield, the San Quentin yard, to the concert halls and our nation's capitol, it's all there. It's been song after song strung together from the sum total of all I am, all the places I've been and all the people I've known and loved. "

Discography / Career Highlights

Career Milestones:
c. 1947 - started playing guitar
early 1950s - made stage debut, sitting in on a Lefty Frizzell performance
1951 - first paying gig
1956 - first radio work on "The Smilin' Jack Tyree Radio Show" in Springfield, CA
1960 - gigged with band in clubs in the Bakersfield area
c. 1962 - television gig on Cousin Herb Henson's show in Bakersfield
1962 - signed by Tally Records (owned by close friend Lewis Tally)
1963 - first single as performer "Sing a Sad Song" (written by Wynn Stewart)
1965 - "(From Now On All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers" 1st major hit (went to #6 on the country charts for Roy Drusky)
1965 - contract sold to Capitol Records
1965 - formed backing band, The Strangers
1966 - "Swinging Doors" first self-penned hit
1967 - first number one hit "The Fugitive" (later titled "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive")
1969 - released "Okie From Muskogee," his first real venture into social commentary; song went to #1
1973 - performed for the first time at the White House for Pat Nixon's birthday party
1977 - signed with MCA Records
1981 - signed with Epic Records
1990 - signed with Curb Records

Awards:
1965 - ACM\Top Vocal Duet with Bonnie Owens
1965 - ACM\Most Promising New Artist
1966 - ACM\Top Vocal Duet with Bonnie Owens
1966 - ACM\Top Male Vocalist of the Year
1967 - ACM\Top Vocal Duet with Bonnie Owens
1967 - Music City News\Male Artist of the Year
1968 - Music City News\Male Artist of the Year
1969 - NSAI\Songwriter of the Year
1969 - ACM\Top Vocal Duet with Bonnie Owens/Johnny Mosby & Jonie
1969 - ACM\Top Male Vocalist of the Year
1969 - ACM\Album of the Year\"Okie From Muskogee"
1969 - ACM\Single of the Year\"Okie From Muskogee"
1969 - ACM\Song of the Year, Composer\"Okie From Muskogee"
1969 - ACM\Song of the Year, Artist\"Okie From Muskogee"
1970 - CMA\Entertainer of the Year
1970 - CMA\Male Vocalist of the Year
1970 - CMA\Single of the Year\"Okie From Muskogee"
1970 - CMA\Album of the Year\"Okie From Muskogee"
1970 - ACM\Entertainer of the Year
1970 - ACM\Top Male Vocalist of the Year
1970 - Music City News\Songwriter of the Year
1972 - CMA\Album of the Year\Let Me Tell You About A Song
1972 - ACM\Top Male Vocalist of the Year
1974 - ACM\Top Male Vocalist of the Year
1981 - NSAI\Songwriter of the Year
1981 - ACM\Top Male Vocalist of the Year
1982 - ACM\Song of the Year, Artist\"Are the Good Times Really Over"
1982 - ACM\Song of the Year, Composer\"Are the Good Times Really Over"
1983 - CMA\Vocal Duo of the Year with Willie Nelson
1984 - Grammy\Best Country Vocal Performance, Male\"That's The Way Love Goes"
1989 - Music City News\Living Legend
1994 - County Music Hall of Fame induction

Catalog Highlights:
"Okie From Muskogee" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1969)

"Swinging Doors" - Artists:Merle Haggard (1966)

"Sing Me Back Home" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1968)

"The Fightin' Side of Me" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1970)

"Workin' Man Blues" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1969)

"Branded Man" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1967)

"I Take a Lot Of Pride In What I Am" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1969)

"Mama Tried" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1968)

"The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1968)

"Today I Started Loving You Again" - Artists: Sammi Smith (1975)

"Hungry Eyes" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1969)

"Jesus, Take a Hold" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1970)

"I Can't Be Myself" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1970)

"Someday We'll Look Back" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1971)

"Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man)" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1971)

"I Wonder If They Ever Think Of Me" - Artists: Merle Haggard (1973)

Comments:
Granted a full and unconditional pardon for "past crimes" on March 21, 1972; signed by then Governor Ronald Reagan

The Strangers, Haggard's touring band, has been awarded "Touring Band of the year" in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1981, and 1987 by the Academy of Country Music (ACM)

Has had the following albums go gold: "Okie From Muskogee" (1970), "The Fightin' Side of Me" (1971), "The Best of Merle Haggard" (1972), "The Best of the Best of Merle Haggard" (1974), "Big City" (1981), "Poncho and Lefty" (1982), and "Eleven Winners" (1989)

Nominated 43 times for CMA awards, more than any other entertainer

Has received 56 BMI citations

Has appeared in the following feature films: "Bronco Billy," "Huckleberry Finn," "Killers Three," (featuring the song "Mama Tried") and "Doc Elliot;" has appeared on the television series "The Waltons" and "Centennial"