American Songwriter

On This Day in 1966, Merle Haggard Released His First No. 1 Single—a Song With Two Titles That He Almost Never Recorded

Fifty-nine years ago today, Merle Haggard released what would later become his first single to reach the top of the country ...
Whiskey Riff

Merle Haggard Almost Didn’t Record His First #1 Hit Single, “The Fugitive” – “Made A Whole New Day For Me”

One of The Hag's most autobiographical songs, indeed. On this date in 1966, Merle Haggard released his single "The Fugitive," which would later be know as "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive," which ultimately ...
American Songwriter

On This Day in 1971, a Song About a Blind Dad and His Homeless Family Band Took Merle Haggard to the Top of the Country Charts for a 10th Time

Outlaw country legend Merle Haggard scored the 10th No. 1 hit of his career on Nov. 29, 1971, with "Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man.)" ...
Variety

Why Merle Haggard Wrote ‘America First,’ the Song Suddenly Getting a Revival as JD Vance’s Campaign Theme

Twenty years ago, the country legend talked with Variety's chief music critic about what drove him to write the anti-Bush/anti-Iraq-war song, now being revived as the Republican VP candidate's walk-up ...
Tennessean

Willie Nelson to cover hits by Merle Haggard on new 78th solo album

Willie Nelson is releasing "Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle," his 78th solo album, as a tribute to Merle Haggard. The new album features 11 covers of Haggard's songs, including "Workin’ Man Blues" and ...
Whiskey Riff

Watch Willie Nelson’s Flawless Rendition Of Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again” At The Hag’s 2010 Kennedy Center Honors Induction

Flawless. Back in 2010, Merle Haggard was part of the Kennedy Center Honors class, and of course, some of his fellow country ...
AOL

Rocker Uses Merle Haggard Song To Tribute Charlie Kirk

Rocker Sammy Hagar picked a Merle Haggard song to ponder life after the death of Charlie Kirk. The Red Rocker took to social media to sing a slightly adjusted version of the chorus of Haggard’s “Are ...
Yahoo

‘Highway 99: A Double Album’ Review: Ethan Hawke Pays Tribute to Merle Haggard With a Rousing and Soulful Pilgrimage Through His Songs

Nine years after Merle Haggard’s death at 79, Ethan Hawke has organized a public wake, and it’s a humdinger. A biography by way of California road trip and recording-studio extravaganza, Highway 99: A ...