Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
	Haggard performing live in 1971
Background information
Birth name	Merle Ronald Haggard
Born	April 6, 1937; Oildale, California, U.S.
Died	April 6, 2016 (aged 79); Palo Cedro, California, U.S.
Genres	Country; outlaw country; Bakersfield sound;
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician
Instruments	Vocals; guitar; fiddle;
Years active	1961–2016
Labels	Capitol; MCA; Epic; Curb; ANTI-; Vanguard;
Formerly of	The Strangers
Spouses	; Leona Hobbs (m. 1956; div. 1964) Bonnie Owens (m. 1965; div. 1978) Leona Williams (m. 1978; div. 1983) Debbie Parret (m. 1985; div. 1991) Theresa Ann Lane (m. 1993)
Children	6, including Marty and Noel Haggard
Website	merlehaggard.com

Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in country music, he was a central pioneer of the Bakersfield sound.^[1] With a career spanning over five decades, Haggard had 38 number-one hits on the US country charts, several of which also made the Billboard all-genre singles chart.

Haggard overcame a troubled childhood, criminal convictions and time in prison to launch a successful country music career. He gained popularity with his songs about the working class; these occasionally contained themes contrary to the anti–Vietnam War sentiment of some popular music of the time.

Haggard received many honors and awards, including a Kennedy Center Honor (2010); a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2006); a BMI Icon Award (2006);^[2] and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1977);^[3] Country Music Hall of Fame (1994)^[4] and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (1997).^[5] He died of pneumonia on April 6, 2016—his 79th birthday—at his ranch in Shasta County, California.^[6]

^ Bernstein, David Browne,Jon Dolan,Jon Freeman,Chris Parton,Stephen L. Betts,Andrew Leahey,Joseph Hudak,Kory Grow,Marissa R. Moss,Maura Johnston,Joe Levy,Will Hermes,David Cantwell,Jonathan (June 15, 2017). "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2025.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Cite error: The named reference bmiawards was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "Merle Haggard". Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2016. Induction year: 1977
^ "Full List of Inductees". Country Music Hall of Fame. 2010. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
^ "Inductees". Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (April 6, 2016). "Merle Haggard, Country Music's Outlaw Hero, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2016.

[1] Bernstein, David Browne,Jon Dolan,Jon Freeman,Chris Parton,Stephen L. Betts,Andrew Leahey,Joseph Hudak,Kory Grow,Marissa R. Moss,Maura Johnston,Joe Levy,Will Hermes,David Cantwell,Jonathan (June 15, 2017). "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2025.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[bmiawards-2] Cite error: The named reference bmiawards was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[nashvillehof-3] "Merle Haggard". Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 27, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2016. Induction year: 1977

[countrymusichof-4] "Full List of Inductees". Country Music Hall of Fame. 2010. Archived from the original on March 31, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.

[okmusichof-5] "Inductees". Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 19, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.

[nytobit-6] Friskics-Warren, Bill (April 6, 2016). "Merle Haggard, Country Music's Outlaw Hero, Dies at 79". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2016.

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