Merle Haggard

The word “legend” usually makes an appearance at some point when discussing Merle Haggard. It’s an acknowledgment of his artistry and his standing as “the poet of the common man.” It’s a tribute to his incredible commercial success and to the lasting mark he has made, not just on country music, but on American music as a whole.
Studying, analyzing and observing the details of life around him, Haggard relays what he sees, hears and feels through his songs. The lyrics are deceptively simple, the music exceptionally listenable. As a result, Haggard found his songs at the top of the charts on a regular basis. In addition to the 40 #1 hits, the induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Kennedy Center Honors, Haggard charted scores of Top Ten songs. He won just about every music award imaginable, both as a performer and as a songwriter. His body of work easily places him beside Hank Williams as one of the most influential artists in country music.