It’s his own story. Johnny Cash was performing at San Quentin and Merle was in the audience. Johnny had Merle on his TV show as a guest and told him to tell his story before the press got a hold of it.
I don’t think he was sentenced to life without parole but he got into a fair amount of mischief. He and some friends once “broke into” a tavern that was still open. I think they were drunk.
He was never actually sentenced to life without parole but he was sentenced for many years as a recidivist offender. His sentence was pardoned by then governor Ronald Reagan.
That actually is his story, he was in San Quentin Prison when he heard a concert done for the inmates by Johnny Cash and started writing and singing in Prison and was Pardoned by Ronald Reagan then Governor of California
A GOAT!! Merle’s Voice, Master Songwriting, Guitar Skills….This is a Must rabbit hole. But, deep analysis is not need, just listen. His music will absolutely hit your soul.
It’s important to know…Merle’s songs are written from his life. Sing Me Back Home - from his time at San Quinton when general population and death row prisoners were housed as one. Country remains true musicianship.
It's autobiographical. Merle turned 21 in prison, just not "doing life without parole". He was in San Quentin when Johnny Cash played a concert for the inmates. Merle decided "that's what I'm gonna do".
Nope. Half truth. He sang on stage with another famous country singer before San Quentin. The execution of his good friend is what changed his way of life
I'm 56 and grew up listening to Merle. My dad loved him. He became my favorite all-time male country singer. His music touches my heart and my soul every time I hear him sing. He passed in April of 2016. He had to cancel numerous concerts starting around December of 2015. I was so blessed to have had the opportunity to take my father to see Merle in the Fall of 2015. As difficult as it may be to believe, he sounded incredible. He had the type of music and the kind of voice that sounded great throughout his life. His music always told a story, and that story always makes you think or makes you feel, or both❤❤
No he's singing his own story. With a little embellishment. He wasn't serving life without parole, but it probably felt like it when he was serving time.
I met Merle at a truckstop in New Mexico in 1977. He stands 5 foot nothing , about 110 pounds. Country music started in the 1930s over the radio, Grand Old Oprey from the Ryman.
This was in 1968, which was actually an interesting time in country music because you had two rival sounds you had Nashville and Bakersfield Merle Haggard is a very prominent representation of the Bakersfield, California style of country music
Lots of Bakersfield folks had Oklahoma roots. Hell, I grew up in OK, had a few great aunts and uncles in CA, and in Bakersfield as well. They moved to Cali for a better life, but brought their guitars and music with them, and the world was blessed with the likes of Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and later, a huge influence on Dwight Yoakum.
I had the pleasure of meeting Merle and his sister Lillian at Pioneer Village in Bakersfield when they moved his childhood home, a boxcar, to the museum. It’s been refurbished to look just like it did when he grew up.
He was also a great impressionist. There is video on youtube of him doing impressions of different country singers. It is pretty good than actual singer comes out and you can't tell them apart.
I've always loved this song for its simplicity - and the lyrics, of course. There was a time in my life when I would listen to this song and cry, thinking of all the shame and disappointment I brought to my own mother.
Heard this on the finale of Fear The Walking Dead, and man, this is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. Classic country has a really special place in my heart. Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, the list goes on…you simply can’t beat them. So much insane talent that will be always remembered for generations to come. ❤️
This song has been playing in my head all day. Something about this song is so special to me, and made me a little emotional listening to him sing. The chords, the lyrics, the amazing vocals…it’s a perfect recipe that works so well.
60s, he was the best of all time, there was none like him, i was fortunate to see him in 1973, i had a blind date and he found out i was a Hag fan, and got the tickets ahead of time, and he did not even like country, it was a real thrill for me,
Merle Haggard caught one of Johnny Cash's concerts at the prison in San Quinton (the one in 1959, not the one that was recorded).... and the rest is history. One of the original Outlaws of Country Music.
The music business back in the 50s & 60s was tough , it could take years for an aspiring musician/ singer to break through. Most traveled the bar circuit performing in some pretty rough joints just hoping to be " discovered " by someone in the music industry. Many traveled in groups by car , Elvis was one traveled the circuit with other musicians .
Thank you for this great reaction and for sharing your thoughts, Merle was so gifted, he could write and sing about his life experiences in such a smooth way.
60's he hooked me in the 70s and I was into rock and roll and motown but "daddy frank the guitar man " hooked me he wrote about his life "sing me back home " is about his time in San Quentin
Great singer/songwriter. This was from the 70;s. Merle did such great songs. Just do a youtube search for Merle Haggard. If you like country music you'll be amazed.
Country music brother really has some of the best musicians and song writers. No tricks musically like in rock or metal rap or dance hall music. Straight up in front of you talent. No computers and loops or backing tracks just a man and his guitar. Classic tune hard too argue with it place in country music history. If you said its the number 1 of all time I would have a hard time arguing with you. This tune He Stopped loving her(George Jones) Gentle on My Mind ( Glen Campbell) and Amarillo by Morning( George Strait) greatest country songs. No bias,Waylon Jennings is my favorite. Peace from Canada
Merle Haggard was my dad’s favorite. Loved his voice. The recording of this song is really great and I have never heard this live version, they did a great job. So glad to see this video, glad you like this song also. I also like “tonight the bottle let me down,“ that is another one of his great songs. th-cam.com/video/SLbOucSlX7M/w-d-xo.html Take care!❤️
Hank Williams was central to country music in the forties and fifties. There were many others. Most performed on the Grand Old Opr'y. There were many great female contry singers at that time and into the sixties and 70"s.
He actually did turn 21 in prison. He had a long history with the law. He saw Johnny Cash perform live in prison and turned his attention towards music. He was eventually paroled and received a full pardon by Ptesident Ronald Raegan I think.
Merle was both a pioneer in "outlaw" country, and what would become to be known as the "Bakersfield" sound. Because of him and Buck Owens, Country Music from California would make its mark.
Merle did turn 21 in San Quentin prison but not doing life without parole, obviously. It was there that his life was forever changed when he saw Johnny Cash perform for the San Quentin inmates in 1958. He then decided to straighten himself out and become a country singer. He and Johnny later became close friends and remained close until Johnny died in September of 2003. A couple of my favorite Merle Haggard songs that I’d love to see you react to are My Favorite Memory & Are The Good Times Really Over. There’s also a great song that Merle and Willie Nelson collaborated on that you should check out called Poncho and Lefty 🔥❤️
Yea this is his own story he was in prison when Johnny cash came and performed which inspired him to make music. Eventually he made it big and Ronald Reagan pardoned him
There's a movie that I grew up watching called the song catcher it's about Scottish American immigrants during the early 1900s and it talks about how Scottish folk music turned into Bluegrass and then later took Roots into country and if you have an interest in American country music I always recommend that film to people
Haggard served time in San Quentin for burglary. He was in the audience when Johnny Cash performed at the prison. Inspired by the concert, Merle decided to get his life in order using prison resources like the GED program. His teen years saw many scrapes with law/rap sheet prior to his adult incarceration.
Merle escaped jail 13 times. This is why He did 6 yrs in prison. Most of his songs were written about that time in his life. He even saw a friend go to death row. He was going to escape with that friend who went on death row, but was talked out of it. Merle was told to stay , do his time, because He had a talent his prisoner friends wanted him to continue......they didn't want Him to get busted for a escape and do more time. The ones who escpaped, killed a cop...they were brought back, and given death . Merle sings about that on a song called , sing me back home. This was a story his oldest son told .
Merle was in prison when Johnny Cash came and did a concert there. Merle decided then and there he was going to be a country singer. Thank God for Johnny Cash
While Merle didn't go to prison or killing anyone, he was considered a habitual criminal for lesser crimes. He was in prison when he saw Johnny Cash perform and that influenced him to change.
It’s actually his story. He spent a lot of time in and out of Juvie - he escaped from jail too many times and got sent to San Quentin. Lost his Father young and was raised by a single mother.
At age 20, after a conviction for armed robbery, Merle was transferred to San Quentin prison when he botched an escape attempt from Bakersfield Jail. While in San Quentin he started an illegal brewing operation and subsequently spent seven days in solitary confinement. After getting out of prison he managed to turn his life around. 1972, after Haggard had become an established country music star, then-California governor Ronald Reagan granted Haggard a full and unconditional pardon for his past crimes
Merle Haggard was in San Quentin prison. California Governor Ronald Reagan granted Merle a full pardon due to his lack of representation and excessive prison 😮. You need to check out Merle singing Sing Me Back Home.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE HAG, NEVER BE ANOTHER, HE WAS THE VERY VERY BEST, AND YES MERLE DID SPEND 3 YEARS IN FOLSOM PRISON FOR REAL, HE WAS A WILD BOY BACK IN THE DAY
there is Country, Bluegrass, Blues, Rock n' Roll Crooners, Classical, Latin, Opera and much much more. influences from the UK had a profound effect on modern American music. I liked everything music from the US until the mid-eighties and even a bit in the 90s there were some very gifted singers and musicians. Somewhere along the line, it was no longer about the quality of the music or music with a story or a meaningful message. Music has become a venue to sing using foul language calling women horrible names and just downright vulgar behaviour while performing on stage. I stopped listening for many years then one day I heard a young man sing he is from Kazakhstan and he brought music back for me. I love most of your reactions. lol
It’s his own story. Johnny Cash was performing at San Quentin and Merle was in the audience. Johnny had Merle on his TV show as a guest and told him to tell his story before the press got a hold of it.
I believe Johnny Cash‘s introduction was that he met this next artist, while he was at San Quentin university
It's loosely based on his experience, not literal. He was not doing life without parole.
Yes he was. He was pardoned by then California governor Ronald Reagan look it up
I don’t think he was sentenced to life without parole but he got into a fair amount of mischief. He and some friends once “broke into” a tavern that was still open. I think they were drunk.
He was never actually sentenced to life without parole but he was sentenced for many years as a recidivist offender. His sentence was pardoned by then governor Ronald Reagan.
That actually is his story, he was in San Quentin Prison when he heard a concert done for the inmates by Johnny Cash and started writing and singing in Prison and was Pardoned by Ronald Reagan then Governor of California
Merle Haggard is one of the greatest. Can't go wrong with him . Sing me back home, are the good times really over for good, are a must.
Holding things together is short but will make u cry
All his music is his true life story!!
A GOAT!! Merle’s Voice, Master Songwriting, Guitar Skills….This is a Must rabbit hole. But, deep analysis is not need, just listen. His music will absolutely hit your soul.
This is true country music. Merle is one of the best
It’s important to know…Merle’s songs are written from his life.
Sing Me Back Home - from his time at San Quinton when general population and death row prisoners were housed as one.
Country remains true musicianship.
It's autobiographical. Merle turned 21 in prison, just not "doing life without parole". He was in San Quentin when Johnny Cash played a concert for the inmates. Merle decided "that's what I'm gonna do".
Yes his sentence was actually 25 to life.
Nope. Half truth. He sang on stage with another famous country singer before San Quentin. The execution of his good friend is what changed his way of life
@@danmahoney8376 Actually 15 years. You don't get 25 to Life for Burglary. Still a pretty stiff sentence, though.
I'm 56 and grew up listening to Merle. My dad loved him. He became my favorite all-time male country singer. His music touches my heart and my soul every time I hear him sing. He passed in April of 2016. He had to cancel numerous concerts starting around December of 2015. I was so blessed to have had the opportunity to take my father to see Merle in the Fall of 2015. As difficult as it may be to believe, he sounded incredible. He had the type of music and the kind of voice that sounded great throughout his life. His music always told a story, and that story always makes you think or makes you feel, or both❤❤
No he's singing his own story. With a little embellishment. He wasn't serving life without parole, but it probably felt like it when he was serving time.
I met Merle at a truckstop in New Mexico in 1977. He stands 5 foot nothing , about 110 pounds. Country music started in the 1930s over the radio, Grand Old Oprey from the Ryman.
He was 5'9".
Such a classic country song with one of the most famous lines ever. You know exactly what song it is right off the bat.
He spent his early years an 20s in prisons an changed his life, became a leagand in country
He was born in 1937
@@jjcowdog2011 lol
This was in 1968, which was actually an interesting time in country music because you had two rival sounds you had Nashville and Bakersfield Merle Haggard is a very prominent representation of the Bakersfield, California style of country music
Lots of Bakersfield folks had Oklahoma roots. Hell, I grew up in OK, had a few great aunts and uncles in CA, and in Bakersfield as well. They moved to Cali for a better life, but brought their guitars and music with them, and the world was blessed with the likes of Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and later, a huge influence on Dwight Yoakum.
@@redstateforever I’m from Oklahoma I’m familiar with the history and I love it
I had the pleasure of meeting Merle and his sister Lillian at Pioneer Village in Bakersfield when they moved his childhood home, a boxcar, to the museum. It’s been refurbished to look just like it did when he grew up.
Merle was a different breed. Amazing human being.
It's Amazingly a shocking true story
Merle is one of my favorites. Thanks!
He wrote his own songs. I believe that tune was about him! I LOVE old county so thanks.
I met Mr. Haggard in the middle of a situation, and he scared the poop out of me. Great reaction, young Gentleman, and keep on keeping on.
You get it! This is why I love your channel so much! Well done young man! Again, love from a fellow Texan! I appreciate you!🤠🤠🤠
Love me some Merle! Sing me back home is a must.❤
He’s singing his own story! He lived this.
He was also a great impressionist. There is video on youtube of him doing impressions of different country singers. It is pretty good than actual singer comes out and you can't tell them apart.
I've always loved this song for its simplicity - and the lyrics, of course. There was a time in my life when I would listen to this song and cry, thinking of all the shame and disappointment I brought to my own mother.
What a rich voice. One of my favs
One of the all time best country voices
Heard this on the finale of Fear The Walking Dead, and man, this is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. Classic country has a really special place in my heart. Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, the list goes on…you simply can’t beat them. So much insane talent that will be always remembered for generations to come. ❤️
This song has been playing in my head all day. Something about this song is so special to me, and made me a little emotional listening to him sing. The chords, the lyrics, the amazing vocals…it’s a perfect recipe that works so well.
It's his story.....This is great country that my Grandfather taught me.. They wrote their music for the most part from their life experiences.
I still listen to Merle in a CD in my car. I love this man. He has great great songs. Listen to IF WE MAKE IT TO DECEMBER.
60s, he was the best of all time, there was none like him, i was fortunate to see him in 1973, i had a blind date and he found out i was a Hag fan, and got the tickets ahead of time, and he did not even like country, it was a real thrill for me,
Merle Haggard caught one of Johnny Cash's concerts at the prison in San Quinton (the one in 1959, not the one that was recorded).... and the rest is history. One of the original Outlaws of Country Music.
Loved the reaction.
My favorite! The Hagg!
The music business back in the 50s & 60s was tough , it could take years for an aspiring musician/ singer to break through. Most traveled the bar circuit performing in some pretty rough joints just hoping to be " discovered " by someone in the music industry. Many traveled in groups by car , Elvis was one traveled the circuit with other musicians .
Merle was the MAN.💪💯
Thank you for this great reaction and for sharing your thoughts, Merle was so gifted, he could write and sing about his life experiences in such a smooth way.
Love Merle!!!
60's he hooked me in the 70s and I was into rock and roll and motown but "daddy frank the guitar man " hooked me he wrote about his life "sing me back home " is about his time in San Quentin
Great singer/songwriter. This was from the 70;s. Merle did such great songs. Just do a youtube search for Merle Haggard. If you like country music you'll be amazed.
You can never go wrong with the country artists from the 50s and 60s.
Country music brother really has some of the best musicians and song writers. No tricks musically like in rock or metal rap or dance hall music. Straight up in front of you talent. No computers and loops or backing tracks just a man and his guitar. Classic tune hard too argue with it place in country music history. If you said its the number 1 of all time I would have a hard time arguing with you. This tune He Stopped loving her(George Jones) Gentle on My Mind ( Glen Campbell) and Amarillo by Morning( George Strait) greatest country songs. No bias,Waylon Jennings is my favorite. Peace from Canada
Merle Haggard was my dad’s favorite. Loved his voice. The recording of this song is really great and I have never heard this live version, they did a great job. So glad to see this video, glad you like this song also. I also like “tonight the bottle let me down,“ that is another one of his great songs. th-cam.com/video/SLbOucSlX7M/w-d-xo.html Take care!❤️
This was my uncle's favorite song. We played it at his funeral. He lived most of it.
It's hard to listen to other Merle Haggard songs after this because this is his finest moment.
One of the Top Ten Country Music Songs of all time.
Hank Williams was central to country music in the forties and fifties. There were many others. Most performed on the Grand Old Opr'y. There were many great female contry singers at that time and into the sixties and 70"s.
It was his story. Saw him in concert 80s so so good
Merle Haggard was one of the Giants of country music when it was at it's best.
React to Merle Haggard- Working Man Blues.
This was recorded in 1968. Check out "Silver Wings", "Mama's Hungry Eyes".
He actually did turn 21 in prison. He had a long history with the law. He saw Johnny Cash perform live in prison and turned his attention towards music. He was eventually paroled and received a full pardon by Ptesident Ronald Raegan I think.
@ Mugnify Reacts Merle did do some time at San Quinton.
I used to have a live Reba CD and she covered this! Love it 😍
He did time in Folsom! Saw Johnny Cash play there and he wrote his life!
Merle was both a pioneer in "outlaw" country, and what would become to be known as the "Bakersfield" sound. Because of him and Buck Owens, Country Music from California would make its mark.
CHeck out Merle's autobiography "Sing Me Back Home", great read about a great entertainer
Merle did turn 21 in San Quentin prison but not doing life without parole, obviously. It was there that his life was forever changed when he saw Johnny Cash perform for the San Quentin inmates in 1958. He then decided to straighten himself out and become a country singer. He and Johnny later became close friends and remained close until Johnny died in September of 2003.
A couple of my favorite Merle Haggard songs that I’d love to see you react to are My Favorite Memory & Are The Good Times Really Over.
There’s also a great song that Merle and Willie Nelson collaborated on that you should check out called Poncho and Lefty 🔥❤️
Mama Tried is considered second to He Stopped Loving Her Today as few greatest country songs ever written.
This was one of the more serious "story songs" but if you like that kind of song, for something more lighthearted, try some songs by Roger Miller.
Yea this is his own story he was in prison when Johnny cash came and performed which inspired him to make music. Eventually he made it big and Ronald Reagan pardoned him
Merle was a master impressionist. Check him out with George Jones, Marty Robbins, Buck Owen's and Johnny Cash. This is 1975.
There's a movie that I grew up watching called the song catcher it's about Scottish American immigrants during the early 1900s and it talks about how Scottish folk music turned into Bluegrass and then later took Roots into country and if you have an interest in American country music I always recommend that film to people
Good job brother keep up the good work and do some country every now and then 😊
Haggard served time in San Quentin for burglary. He was in the audience when Johnny Cash performed at the prison. Inspired by the concert, Merle decided to get his life in order using prison resources like the GED program. His teen years saw many scrapes with law/rap sheet prior to his adult incarceration.
There’s a club called the “27 club.” It’s all the famous musical artists and performers that died during the 60’s/70’s at 27 years of age.
Obviously, he wasn't in prison for life.. But he was in prison.. and it's a simple but true song. All of those in prison have a mama who tried.
Your comment touched me because grandmothers try also!
Merle did do 3 years in his young years in San Quention,
I miss the great storytellers of old country music
He's sangin' his story
Merle escaped jail 13 times. This is why He did 6 yrs in prison. Most of his songs were written about that time in his life. He even saw a friend go to death row. He was going to escape with that friend who went on death row, but was talked out of it. Merle was told to stay , do his time, because He had a talent his prisoner friends wanted him to continue......they didn't want Him to get busted for a escape and do more time. The ones who escpaped, killed a cop...they were brought back, and given death . Merle sings about that on a song called , sing me back home. This was a story his oldest son told .
Silver Wings is my favorite Merle song or Okie From Muskogee
Merle was in prison when Johnny Cash came and did a concert there. Merle decided then and there he was going to be a country singer. Thank God for Johnny Cash
While Merle didn't go to prison or killing anyone, he was considered a habitual criminal for lesser crimes. He was in prison when he saw Johnny Cash perform and that influenced him to change.
Haggard looked the part, sounded the part, because he was the part.
Its his story ! He was in prison when Johnny cash came to the prison and sang then he said " I can do that " he left prison and became fanous 😂😳
Merle was in San Quinton in 1957 for burglary -- he was singing his own life.
That's the "neck" of his guitar. A lot of country singer still do that.
It's his story but he wasn't without parole.
He did do 3 years in prison. I don't know how much the term was. Actually, he got early release.
It’s actually his story. He spent a lot of time in and out of Juvie - he escaped from jail too many times and got sent to San Quentin. Lost his Father young and was raised by a single mother.
At age 20, after a conviction for armed robbery, Merle was transferred to San Quentin prison when he botched an escape attempt from Bakersfield Jail. While in San Quentin he started an illegal brewing operation and subsequently spent seven days in solitary confinement. After getting out of prison he managed to turn his life around. 1972, after Haggard had become an established country music star, then-California governor Ronald Reagan granted Haggard a full and unconditional pardon for his past crimes
So good. Soooo good.
Merle was in San Quentin and Folsom prison both.
True story, his story
No, he was singing his story
Yeah he was San Quentin As a Veteran I like Fighten Side Of Me
you should see his story
Merle Haggard was in San Quentin prison. California Governor Ronald Reagan granted Merle a full pardon due to his lack of representation and excessive prison 😮. You need to check out Merle singing Sing Me Back Home.
No. That's Merle's Story. He served time starting when he was a teenager. After he was paroled he always returned for performances.
I want to say 68 is when this clip was
THERE WAS ONLY ONE HAG, NEVER BE ANOTHER, HE WAS THE VERY VERY BEST, AND YES MERLE DID SPEND 3 YEARS IN FOLSOM PRISON FOR REAL, HE WAS A WILD BOY BACK IN THE DAY
thegrateful dead does a wonderful cover of this.
This song was released In 1968
Meryl had the best timber in a voice ever. My brother knew him and hung with him.
Meryl spent time in prison too.
Merle served time in San Quentin
YES THIS WAS HIS REAL LIFE
This song reminds me of the movie "The Strangers" creepy.
One of merles influences was lefty frizzel...
there is Country, Bluegrass, Blues, Rock n' Roll Crooners, Classical, Latin, Opera and much much more. influences from the UK had a profound effect on modern American music. I liked everything music from the US until the mid-eighties and even a bit in the 90s there were some very gifted singers and musicians. Somewhere along the line, it was no longer about the quality of the music or music with a story or a meaningful message. Music has become a venue to sing using foul language calling women horrible names and just downright vulgar behaviour while performing on stage. I stopped listening for many years then one day I heard a young man sing he is from Kazakhstan and he brought music back for me. I love most of your reactions. lol
Thanks Brenda 😂 you gotta make it for a live sometime
Real country is dead or dying. Merle was the best