FIRST TIME HEARING MERLE HAGGARD - "MAMA TRIED" | COUNTRY REACTION!!!

#countrymusic #merlehaggard #reaction #music
Yoooo! This brotha got that old soul juice flowing through him and I need more of his music ASAP!!!
Movie reaction channel: / @abthekreatorfilm
Patreon: / abthekreator
Twitter: / abthekreator
TikTok: / abthekreator
MERCH: www.abthekreat...
DONATE: www.paypal.com...
Appreciate all the love, OJ Family!
AB 🍊
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@timmaples5734]

Merle was in San Quentin when Johnny Cash performed at the prison and when he was paroled he tried music inspired by The Man in Black.

[@rogercaldwell2440]

Merle Haggard was a beast! Unfortunately we lost him a few years back. RIP Merle

[@marylee2732]

I just read a 6yo post from his son Ben Haggard that Merle said he would pass on his birthday, all of his friends and family were there to say good bye.

[@charlessanders4337]

At one of his last concerts in Vegas Toby Keith was backstage. Merle was having lung problems (same illness that eventually killed him) and he couldn’t finish the show (not something that happened often). Toby Keith offered to finish the show for him and Merle agreed. He asked Toby which of his songs he knew and Toby grinned and said “all of them” as he grabbed his guitar and headed on stage.

[@stanshearer7343]

Definitely try Sing Me Back Home next. It was inspired by true events while Merle was in prison. A group of inmates were planning a breakout and Merle wanted to go too. One of them said no because Merle had a future after prison. Well, the others did break out and went separate ways. The one who told Merle to stay ended up killing a couple (?) Deputies and sentenced to death. On his way to the chamber he asked the Warden if Merle could sing him a song and he did. It stuck with Merle. This story came from his son Marty Haggard.

[@lolastarling4032]

I came to the comments to recommend Sing Me Back Home too. Glad to see it already suggested

[@stevenrogers9123]

Merle was actually in prison. I believe he was in San Quentin. Anyway he was pardoned by then governor Ronald Reagan.

[@adamdconn]

He was pardoned by Pat Brown, but yes, he was 100% in prison.

[@serenaeiler7585]

True story, changed his life after JohnnyCash played at Folsom Prison

[@lb3848]

You are almost right. Merle was doing time at San Quenton when he heard Johnny Cash. That was his inspiration.

[@michaeldey1894]

"Mama Tried" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard and The Strangers. It was released in July 1968 as the first single and title track from the album Mama Tried. The song became one of the cornerstone songs of his career. It won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999, and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry due to its "cultural, historic, or artistic significance" on March 23, 2016, just 14 days before Haggard's death.[1] In 2021, it was ranked at #376 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[2]

[@ladylisaromance8129]

Wow! I didn't know that. Thanks for the information and it's amazing. He deserved it. #legend

[@johnlake4809]

He wrote songs for other artists too

[@julie.1081]

Thank you Michael for being a teacher to many of us who love Merle & country music! Great info I didn't know.

[@fakecountry9407]

Waaaaaay too low on that list

[@willieboy3011]

Merle Haggard was 21 in San Quentin. He saw Johnny Cash perform there, while he was an inmate. Cash made a huge impact on Merle, as with Kris Kristofferson and others. "Good Ole Days" is one of my favorites with "Okie From Muskogee."

[@libertybell8852]

As an Okie from Muskogee myself 😂 it was a staple in our house lol!!

[@samantharowan2956]

Big City, Okie from Muskogee, Fighting Side of Me just few more great songs by legendary Merle Haggard

[@KatieAlmand-bl8us]

Merle Haggard grew up in a box car in Bakersfield, California. The slide and guitar style of Merle and Buck Owens was dubbed the "Bakersfield Sound" Merle later married Buck Owens ex wife Bonnie!

[@mamaflush9945]

"Outlaw Country" became a huge sub-genre of country music, and Merle Haggard was one of the artists, but Waylon Jennings pioneered the movement along with his wife Jessie Colter, David Allen Coe, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash. Merle Haggard has a massive collection to explore here's a music video "Merle Haggard - Are The Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver)" and I'd like to suggest another legend from this list of outlaw country artists "David Allen Coe - Long Haired Country Boy" this was also a counterculture song. which also made it an even bigger hit. Great reaction, thanks for sharing🔥💖🎶🤗🤠

[@ThaneaPally]

uuuhhh... So with a bit of hunting I think you might mean Long haired Redneck. Long haired country boy is a Charlie Daniels Band song from 1974, that David Allan Coe covered in 2002.

[@gracemichelli.2am124]

You can't get any more country that this. Love Haggard.❤️

[@jolenewitzel7919]

Can't go wrong with Merle. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@luckylady7542]

Merle is a legend. My favorite is "Sing Me Back Home" His music has been a big part of my life.😊❤

[@memorywhitton5527]

He's one of the GOAT'S you can't go wrong with anything you hear of his music 🎶

[@deborahscott8162]

Merle is serious country music 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@lefty3141591]

I really like his story telling. Some of my favorites of his songs. "Leonard" "Daddy Frank" "Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" Great reaction.

[@stanshearer7343]

Have you heard "The Man Who Picked The Wildwood Flower"? It wasn't a hit for Merle but it's my favorite of all time. It appeared on only 1 album, "Let Me Tell You About A Song".

[@bwilliams463]

Merle is one of the legends of real (1960s-1980s) country music. Please check out some of his contemporaries, like George Jones, Charley Pride, Tom T Hall, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson, to name a few.

[@anthonylewis62]

there was no one like him, now or ever, he is the legand of country music, no other compares

[@johnflinn5670]

So glad you are touching on Merle. Old school country music. Keep it going AB!! Have to get some Johnny Cash out there for you to react too. Johnny was the original singer of ring of fire, and Folsom prison blues that Home Free did.

[@juliamangan9475]

Love Me some Johnny Cash. Try "Man In Black" "Don't Take Your Gun To Town" "Jackson" and "I Walk The Line". That will get you started. Now as for Merle Haggard I'd suggest "Poncho And Lefty" "The Fightin' Side Of Me" "The Bottle Let Me Down " "Sing Me Back Home" and as child my favorite song was "Silver Wings". Enjoy and may God bless you....and Secretary. :)

[@wnsafford1854]

The original singer of Ring of Fire was Anita Carter. It was written for Anita's 1963 album, Folk Songs Old & New, by Merle Kilgore & June Carter (Anita's sister, later Johnny's wife). Anita's version didn't do particularly well so, later the same year, with Anita's & June's blessing, Johnny covered it.

[@jzundert]

@@wnsafford1854 no johnny say to anita if it is not a hit after a half year than i recorded it

[@wnsafford1854]

@@jzundert Johnny could say anything he wanted to Anita. Neither had the authority to take, or grant, the right to cover the song. Only the song owners/writers could (Merle & June). They wrote it for Anita. Johnny wanted to cover it. They presumably turned him down for doing an immediate cover. Johnny then suggested, if it was not a hit within 6 months, that he be allowed to record it. Anita was fine with that, so Merle & June agreed.

[@jzundert]

@@wnsafford1854 june wrote the song after she go to bed with johnny but for the rest you are right

[@cyndisanimaladventures6370]

Poncho and Lefty by Merle and Willy Nelson is one of my favorites along with Okkie from Muskogee.

[@annebishop9634]

One of Merle’s best. He past in 2016.

[@NewEarthBlog]

I LOVE Merle Haggard's voice. Back then whole bands of great musicians could sing and play without electronic assistance or do-overs! Recently I couldn't stop listening to Merle and discovered he wrote so MANY songs and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame...even though, like some of his friends, he didn't sound very Nashville.

[@TheWordCuts]

One of the smoothest if not the smoothest voice ever in country music. Take a listen to WORKIN MAN BLUES, IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH DECEMBER AND THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES...

[@sandralorenz1796]

Check out Merel's "Sing Me Back Home". RIP Merle.

[@markskivers4037]

Merle Is fantastic. Great story songs like “Sing Me Back Home”, “The Fightin’ Side of Me”, or “Okie From Muskogee”. Or try “If We Make It Through December” to hear probably his best vocals.

[@757optim]

Hag's hits will keep you busy.

[@user-qb8cy8ho9d]

Charley Pride was another great male country singer. Kiss an Angel Good Morning, Kaw Liga, Is Anybody Goning to San Antone are some among many songs.

[@MaryGrace523]

There are some trucker songs out there that will tear your heart right outta your chest! Red Sovines Teddy Bear for one.

[@luckylady7542]

Truth!! I still cry when I hear it.❤

[@markmotley8516]

Merle has a music catalog like no other. So many great songs, truly one of the best.

[@Marysmith-kh7dt]

You should check out his sons. They sound so much like their dad it's crazy.

[@brandondixon4023]

Merle’s son bought a guitar from my grandfather Red Simpson. Merle also recorded 12 songs my grandfather wrote and the 2 were good friends for over 50 years and they died 3 months apart in 2016

[@saremile]

My favorite Merle song is "Silver Wings"...you really get to hear his voice in that one

[@aliciat2532]

We played this song at my dad's funeral. Immediate tears

[@jerikropp6394]

Can't go wrong with "If we make it through December we'll be fine"

[@gaetagirl]

This songs makes me cry! Needs a listen

[@mikenorris2844]

One of the best storytellers ever... Need to add one of the OG's of country - Mr. Charley Pride

[@suewatkinsmehlenbacher8587]

Of all the artist in Country Music Merle Haggard is my all time favorite! His life was the definition of the "American Dream"! His younger years were rough, and he was incarcerated at San Quentin Prison, for robbing a bank (I think a few times, along with escape attempts) He was there at the age of 20 when Johnny Cash played there, & changed his life. The Hag never hid his past, but penned it in his lyrics. When Ronald Reagan was President he pardoned The Hag from his police record. So sorry to have "Rambling Fever" but he truly is a Legend!

[@TheBeatenPaths]

Probably the best autobiographical song ever written!!

[@chrisswart6247]

My man. Thank you for giving Merle a listen. Much respect. Music brings us all together brother ❤

[@michaelmoon5700]

Merle did turn 21 in prison for car theft. He did get paroled and once he started having success as country singer Gov. Ronald Reagan pardoned him so he could travel out of California to perform.

[@debbers]

I love watching you react to new (to you) artists! You are so entertaining! I always leave here feeling great!

[@kylesummers1565]

Peace, Love!!

[@debrabenoist1596]

Listen to Merle do Branded Man. He was in prison when he met Johnny Cash, and Johnny encouraged him to continue his writing and singing

[@crystalbrewer2260]

Branded man is my favorite. I also like the live of him and jewel singing silver wings

[@kellygears8514]

Merle Haggard is a true legend and his music is magic.

[@deanmeyer1815]

Rambling’ Fever is at the top of my list , right next to Mama Tried, and Daddy Frank, the Guitar Man.

[@RitaMae13]

My mom listened to the Hag all my life! I love his music !

[@retiredrifleman]

You should hear "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"

[@John-mm4bw]

About time seeing this world actually grasp the lifetime of music I've been nurtured on since coming out the womb. 27 years, everything from Merle, Mr. Jones aka The Possum. Glen Campbell. Hank Sr. John Anderson. Conway. Loretta, Willie, ofc Johnny Cash. Then to N.W.A. G-Unit, Snoop, B.I.G. King Shakur 🙏🏻 my area was just dripping in diversity and I thank God my family kept my eyes open to all love 🙏🏻 appreciate the content Sir 👏🏻

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

He really was in prison. He was awesome. ❤

[@s_powerzzz]

“Momma tried but boy still done wrong” 😂😂 Love your reaction videos!

[@delbertreno8089]

That man has a list of number ones longer than a yard stick! Just pick one and it will knock your socks off!!! Kentucky Gambler is a good one!. If we make it through December, That is one of the few that has just Got It!

[@darkomtobia]

My God, this is a deep well. I'm so glad to see this! Edit: "The Way I Am"

[@dennisswaim8210]

One of the Giants of country music. Probably his best song.

[@Royelsworth]

Merle Haggard is a country Legend

[@73tireguy]

I met Merle when I was 5 in 1978. He lives next to my aunt in Red Bluff. Haven’t seen him in about 20 years.

[@wolfcreeksmokebbq593]

Great reaction to a great legend. Sing me back home, Okie from muskogi, swinging doors, my mamas hungry eyes, are just a few to get started on. Have fun

[@skygaming7266]

David Allan COE.. you never even called me by my name.. another classic :)

[@TheWorseOne]

“I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole” THAT line is a direct hit to my heart :( 21…Life…without parole ):

[@amritpariyar9425]

❤❤❤❤❤He was a legend in his own right

[@1stsharkb8]

Merle is country music royalty!!!

[@barbaracampbell7127]

How awesome. We were celebrating my birthday earlier tonight. I heard "Silver Ghost" and had to think of the 'Hag's' name. Merle did (talkies) songs that had a story. The story behind "Okie from Muskogee" and President Nixon is hilarious. But hey if it sells albums? Who cares.

[@nikkiwilliams8508]

Growing up we spent a lot of time on the road and this song and “Fightin side of me” and “silver wings” are some of songs my dad would always play I find myself singing some lyrics at opportune moments lol

[@ladyjade001]

Great song and wonderful singer

[@dsusan17]

When my children were teens this song would be blaring out of their rooms

[@Erniethebear]

Merle Haggard was the first concert I ever went to that I wasn't in.

[@Gutslinger]

I'm from Oklahoma and was in highschool in the late 2000's. We had an English teacher names Mrs. Haggard. I coaxed my friend into asking her if her dad's name was Merle. To out surprise, she said, "No, but my husband is actually supposed to be distantly related to him." Merle Haggard's parents were from Muskogee, Oklahoma. Not far from where I live. Before Merle was born, they moved out to California in the early 1900's, during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression era. Merle's father died when he was 8, which he vaguely references in this song - "Dear old daddy, rest his soul. Left my mom a heavy load. She tried so hard to fill his shoes." Merle described the day his dad died as the most important day of his life. And the second most important day was the day President Ronald Reagan granted him a full pardon in 1972. Merle served 3 years in San Quentin prison, and was an inmate during one of the times that Johnny Cash performed there. There's a video of Merle doing great impressions of artists on a show, one of which is Johnny Cash, and Cash and other artists walks out and they start singing together. Lol Merle also has a hit song called "Okie from Muskogee." Californians referred to people moving there from Oklahoma as "Okies". Some say it was derogatory at the time, but idk.. As an Okie, I don't care if it once was. It's not now. Lol

[@TheGadgetwiz]

Merle Haggard wrote hundreds of songs (maybe thousands) during his life.

[@suewatkinsmehlenbacher8587]

The Hag's music will transcend time, for sure. 1 of my top 10's from him is "Are the Good Times for good"

[@sheilabrown7457]

Yes, he's our Hometown Bakersfield Man!!

[@janethunter8741]

The Hags greatness is because he was 100% genuine. Sorry to say we lost Merle a few years ago He prophesied his own death. He new his 79th bday would be the day he died.

[@charlesroyal2357]

Rip meral hagerd we had a hell of a time that night at pozo salon what a concert in the mountains of pozo ca.. shur am glad i got to hear u and willie ..

[@carolgranados4892]

Fighting Side of Me and Silver Wings by Merle Haggard are my favorites

[@suewatkinsmehlenbacher8587]

Yes! Silver Wings!!!

[@jennifersilves4195]

Oh yeah Fighting Side Me.

[@georgeearls3338]

He was the son of parents who left oklahoma, during the dust bowls days, his dad died, leaving his mother as a widow raising children in Bakersfield California. He got into trouble went to prison, Got into music made the big time. He had a mentor during this time that wrote songs for him, by the name of Tommy Collins. Merel Wrote the song Leonard abot him.

[@wendypowell6357]

Great song. Great reaction. But the crazy thing is he did spend several years in prison.

[@nr63kish]

Merle Haggard "sing me back home" is a song you should hear. Merle did time in prison when Johnny Cash came and sang to them.

[@SickGirlRocks]

This song is a classic! Love it

[@MommaD95]

Growing up with my Daddy being a musician also (country music) I have heard him sing this a thousand times.... Thank you @ABtheKreator for doing so many of my faves, you always bring a smile to my face 😄

[@lukeyoung4000]

Should try some Chris Ledoux this cowboys hat. He is a story teller and a unique sub genre of country but you can never go wrong with George Strait or Alan Jackson.

[@steveanderson8137]

Really enjoyed the video my friend. Was lucky enough to see Mighty Merle live three times .

[@rebeccamccoy2346]

This song is not fiction. It was his life.

[@cherylann9781]

Merle was part of a genre known as the Bakersfield Sound (California) which during the sixties and early 70’s gave Nashville a run for its money. Buck Owens is considered one of the founders of that sound. This music was a product of Dust Bowl Okies, Arkies, and Texans migrating to the Central Valley of California for work in the fields. These people were dirt poor and hard workers. They liked their music hard and gritty, just like their lives. Merle actually did time in San Quentin for breaking and entering. He was inspired by Johnny Cash who actually played at San Quentin. When he got out he high-tailed it back to Bakersfield where he started playing in the Honkey Tonks. Buck Owens, was by then a major Countey Star and mentored Merle. In fact, Merle even married Buck’s ex-wife and Buck loaned them his Cadillac to drive to Vegas to get married.

[@anthonylewis62]

Merle passed in 2016, biggest loss for country music ever, he was the best,

[@socket_error1000]

He has a great autobiography, titled - Sing Me Back Home, like his song of the same name, that covers the major events of his life up to 1980 and talks a lot about his early years that is worth a read if you can snag a copy (Ebay). He lived a lot of what he wrote and sang about. One of my favorite country western singers growing up.

[@willhorting5317]

There's so many Haggard songs that I could suggest that you check out. But I think I will suggest "Today I Started Loving You Again". I was a kid when Haggard began. And in my parent's house, Country music was all they listened to. So I grew up on Haggard. He was/is my favorite Country singer. (Followed by Conway Twitty.) Finally got to go to one of his concerts in the mid-'90s... when I was in my 30s. Also got to meet him that night, and was invited...by him... to go onto his bus to chat for a bit. That's a memory that I hope I never forget. But I am now a senior citizen, and I fear that I may develop dementia like my mother did.

[@edefyinggravity]

Do "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones next. Possibly the best country song of all time, DEFINITELY top 5.

[@briandyer713]

Love the channel was raised on Merle , cash, Willy, and waylan to name a few. A lot of people don’t know this but Merle was an inmate at San Quinten prison when Johnny cash performed in the prison and was the inspiration for him to give it a go!

[@waynefontaine5533]

This is the man who I heard my Dad singing since I can remember, my Dad could sound just like him, and when he passed last year he left me every single Haggard album on vinyl...I mean, I saw my Dad tear up twice in my entire life, he was an E5 Army combat vet who deployed twice to Vietnam so to say he was tough is wildly understated, but he teared up when his Dad (a D-Day vet from Utah Beach Jun 6th, 1944) and the day I told him Haggard had passed in 2016....side note: not only did Haggard record and release many #1 hits, if I'm not mistaken he wrote over 70 #1 hits for other artists such as Hank Williams Jr, etc etc...there are so many great songs of his, but contrary to what others may say, you gotta be a country music fan to really to get down with Haggard, I'm just sayin...great reaction channel bro, your video for "End of the Road" by Home Free is why I subbed to your channel...✌🏻🇺🇸

[@quintondees4501]

On a good path with Haggard! He was one down to earth dude as well. He came through our town in the late eighties and put five bucks in the gas tank at the gas station 😯🤣👍

[@bkbentley]

"Misery and Gin" One of his best.

[@karirae1737]

One of the greatest of all times... You need to do some George Jones who's gonna fill their shoes, and John Conlee any song he has ever done.

[@ghfantexas6848]

Pardoned by President Reagan, it turned his life around. He was freed from prison and became the legend we know today.

[@CCoburn3]

This song gets real serious, real fast.

[@Gutslinger]

My personal favorite songs from him are "Are The Good Times Really Over", and "Footlights". I love how he sang "Footlights" on the George Jones show, when it was just him and the acoustic. They sat around talking, and George requested it, and said it was his favorite Merle song.. The late Daryle Singletary also has a great performance of that song. Sucks that he past away so young a few years ago, because his voice was golden, and he was traditional.

[@paulwhite5840]

Merle is a legend!

[@frndofbear]

Oh my. To be young and getting to hear "Mama Tried" for the very first time again!! I've always considered it the second greatest country song of all time.

[@jennifermorris414]

Try "Okie from Muskogee" it's a haggard song I grew up on in the late 80's

[@feduptexan311]

Yes this is true country…for anyone interested, his album Land of Many Churches is old country gospel taken from them visiting churches and some, I think, were from San Quentin visit also. Bonnie Owens and the Carter Family sings on it too….

[@user-ht4bc1xz6n]

"Branded Man" is an underrated song by Merle that's still very relevant today. You should give it a listen.

[@BOOMNERD51]

Love Merle. Country radio underplayed him too!❤

[@rockybailey3125]

Another awesome Merle song is, Working Man Blues!

[@dandillinger23]

Merle is the 🐐 !! 🇺🇸

[@robindew9072]

Merle was an awesome artist and an amazing song writer. What a legend

[@anthonychapman4035]

I think you would really enjoy listening to el paso marty robbins it’s one of my favorite country songs

[@suewatkinsmehlenbacher8587]

I agree, and 7 Spanish Angels!

[@bighousegroove]

Merle grew up in a boxcar, in Oildale. Doesn't get more country than that. He did serve time in prison, so this song is almost completely autobiographical. He lost his dad at a young age and his mama was left to raise him, and he acted out quite a bit. The only exaggeration is that he wasn't doing "life without parole." He spent his entire life trying to make amends.

[@f150bft]

"I think I'll just stay here and drink" Is one of my favorites....upbeat and several solo's