Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard has earned the right to bill himself as "Country Music's Living Legend." At the age of 68, Haggard remains one of the most important country music artists ever recorded. Emerging from the oil fields of California to solidly personify the Bakersfield sound, Haggard deftly combined styles to produce one that is uniquely his own, that honky-tonk swing country sound everyone claims to have been influenced by but no one can imitate. From his autobiographical, heart-wrenching songs to his everyman outlook and straightforward attitude, Haggard is the personification of country music.
After the untimely death of his father, young Merle became a rebel. He loved music and worked with Lefty Frizzell, struggling to begin a music career while working in the oil fields, but money problems turned him to robbery. He landed in San Quentin prison, where he saw Johnny Cash perform. His time in jail taught him invaluable lessons, and he eventually emerged and took on the world as an honest man. His first single was not a huge success, but when "Swinging Doors" topped the charts in 1966, Merle was finally on his way to superstardom. Today Merle continues to release diverse, critically acclaimed discs, as well as touring.
Previous Grammy Wins:
- Best Country Vocal Performance, Male - "That's The Way Love Goes" - 1984
- Best Country Collaboration With Vocals Alison Krauss, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakam, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Joe Diffie, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs & Travis Tritt - "Same Old Train" - 1998
Current Grammy Nominations:
- Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (with Gretchen Wilson) - "Politically Incorrect"
(Bio courtesy of Kathy Coleman)
