Merle Haggard

Birth Name:

Merle Ronald Haggard

Birth Place:

Bakersfield, California, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department

His signature song, "Okie from Muskogee," about patriotism and traditional values during the 1960s, became a number one hit
Recorded 250 original songs, including 38 number one hits, and is one of the most covered artists in country music
Was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994
Won the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award for "Okie from Muskogee" in 1970
As a teenager he developed a criminal record that meant he visited many reform facilities and county jails, in between which he played guitar at local bars
First signed with the label Tally Records in 1962, where he recorded his debut single "Sing a Sad Song․"
Spent time in San Quentin prison from 1958 to 1960 on a burglary charge, playing in the prison's country band and taking high school equivalency courses while he was there
Quote: "Going to prison has one of a few effects․ It can make you worse, or it can make you understand and appreciate freedom․ I learned to appreciate freedom when I didn't have any․"
Best known as a country music singer and is considered a legend in the genre
Formed his own backing band, the Strangers, in 1965 and signed with Capitol Records that year, later releasing the hit singles "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" and "Branded Man․"

1981Stinker Award - Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End Credits:Nominated

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