SO FUNNY!| Merle Haggard - Mama Tried FIRST TIME HEARING REACTION

[@TheNewRevolution]

This song was actually biographical for Haggard. He did spend time in San Quentin prison. He was arrested the first time at age 11. It was something he tried to keep quiet when he first broke into country music but Johnny Cash convinced him it would be better to be honest about it. Coincidencely it was a performance by Cash at the prison where Haggard was incarcerated that inspired him to get into music.

[@1perfectpitch]

No it wasn't performed at Folsom. It hadn't been written yet.

[@christyhammancaballero2438]

The lyrics: The first thing I remember knowing Was a lonesome whistle blowing And a young gun's dream of growing up to ride On a freight train leaving town… Was true as the train tracks were behind his house in Oildale, Ca, (just outside of Bakersfield). I grew up north of those tracks and not too far from Buck Owens studio on Chester Avenue, some time after Merle left Oildale.

[@32202masterj]

Yes and no. He was in prison, he did see Johnny Cash there and it inspired him. Cash also got him pardoned. But this story was his cell mate's.

[@chuckragland6100]

If you want older country, you HAVE to listen to Tammy wynette!! One of the queens of country music!! Her BIG song is Stand by your man!! That is a MUST!!! Amber will LOVE it!! Other songs I would recommend from her are D.I.V.O.R.C.E. and I don't wanna play house.

[@TheNewRevolution]

@@1perfectpitch No one said anything about Folsom. My comment clearly states San Quentin.

[@kimberlydavis7514]

My absolute favorite song by Merle is Silver Wings. He has such a tremendous library of work, but that is my favorite. Never heard a bad song from him.

[@lindarumsey3109]

Agreed.

[@gabrielledormuth4634]

Every Christmas as a kid we would listen to his Christmas album and loved it

[@curtismarsh4528]

Love that one as well

[@Cissy777]

Yesss!!

[@carlprince2866]

Amen

[@mattd.4553]

Probably the most iconic opening notes in country music history.

[@phoenixfox3379]

roger that

[@sparky6086]

Merle was from California, but his dad was from Oklahoma, so his song, "Okie from Muskogee", he wrote from his dad's perspective. His dad died young, & Merle was a handful to his widowed mom, so "Momma Tried" is biographical.

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

I'm Californian (and from LA) and Merle was and is still the best. So many classic country songs, and a voice like Karo syrup.

[@btgiv6009]

Well, he was from Bakersfield which was essentially Oklahoma transported to the Central Valley.

[@sparky6086]

@@btgiv6009 Yep.

[@raymondhanks9826]

@@btgiv6009 yes there is some connection there ..

[@corinnepmorrison1854]

Yep...lots of Country Western singers in Bakersfield... Buck Owens for one...

[@elizabethfranco1284]

Merle was a prisoner at San Quentin and in the audience when Johnny Cash held a concert there in the late 50’s it inspired him to turn his life around.Years later he would guest on Cash’s tv show

[@resurrectionwaiting9294]

Yes, the classic album, "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" was from that concert. Haggard heard it live. The album changed Johnny Cash's career. The concert changed Haggard's life.

[@resurrectionwaiting9294]

Old school Country is Jimmy Rogers. See the short movie made with him performing 3 of his classic songs. He IS the father of Country Music.

[@boomer63]

I never knew this. Thanks for that bit of trivia I didnt know I needed to know 🥰

[@elizabethfranco1284]

@@resurrectionwaiting9294 His story is told in the first episode along with the Carter Family

[@christianman73]

@@resurrectionwaiting9294 Johnny Cash's "Folsolm Prison" album was recorded in 1968, which was years after Merle had gotten out of jail. At the time of that concert, and the release of the album, Merle was already having his own hit records.

[@that1dragonkid]

Great reaction! This is actually a true story. Merle was on only child, and his Dad died of a stroke. He kept getting into trouble with the law, so they threw him in San Quentin. He said he actually appreciated his prison time because it finally made him straighten up.

[@robertreichle1]

And he saw Johnnie Cash perform for his prison.

[@lindacabral922]

He got sent there because him and buddy tried to break into a store that was still open

[@Cissy777]

Great reaction? The thumb nail says so funny😮

[@user-wk2od5pq3g]

Merle wasn’t an only child. He had siblings

[@that1dragonkid]

@user-wk2od5pq3g My mistake. I didn't know that. Thanks, and Happy New Year!

[@karenj3611]

Love Merle Haggard, such a beautiful voice.

[@johndavidson5228]

A side note: some time after release from prison and after he started the music business, Merle was completely pardoned for his offenses to the law by Ronald Reagan, who was the governor of California at the time.

[@merljacksonii7233]

"Okie..." "Are the Good Times Really Over", and "Walkin on the Fightin Side of Me" are patriotic staples, "Branded Man" is about what life is like for an ex-con after release, and "Big City", "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink", and "Workin Man Blues" are blue collar anthems. Enjoy the ride down this rabbit hole. Personally, I would recommend "...Fightin Side of Me" next. Thanks for the remembrances. Blessed Be

[@richardfromtexas]

Triple thumbs up for Jacksons recommendations. I would also add, Daddy Frank (the guitar man) and If We Make It Through December, a couple of other great story songs.

[@bonnielambert6315]

@@richardfromtexas Yes, absolutely the best of the best! Never forget 'Silver Wings'! Good job @Merl JacksonII !!!

[@redarmysoja]

Johnny Paycheck's "Only Hell my Momma ever raised" is another great one along these same lines. More Merle, Blue Bayou, The Way I am, Rambling Fever

[@your_huge_ego_bores_me]

Merle's on the short list of greatest musicians that ever lived. One of the greatest voices, great guitar player and tremendous body of work.

[@rickboone1090]

Haggard hit the scene in the mid-60's....at a time when Nashville was "Country-politan" (smooth songs, lush strings, etc), Haggard and Buck Owens came along with "Bakersfield Sound" (driving, honky-tonk, working man)...check out songs by Owens....also, "Think I'll Just Sit Here and Drink" by Haggard...they paved the way for Waylon and Willie in the 70's and Hank Jr in the 80's...👍

[@sharonsmith2771]

mid 60s country "lush strings and smooth songs" yeah nah! i dont know what country you were listening to my dude.Clue me in,i want to know?

[@rickboone1090]

@@sharonsmith2771 "Country-politan" was Nashville's deliberate shift to go mainstream and pop, and away from the twang, fiddle and steel guitar of earlier years....examples are easy to cite...Jim Reeves (He'll Have To Go), Eddy Arnold (Make The World Go Away), Patsy Cline (I Fall To Pieces), Charlie Rich (Behind Closed Doors), Lynn Anderson (Rose Garden), etc....and all of those songs are favorites of mine...That Country-politan was the stated goal of record producers like Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley is easily documentable by their own statements....many artists became weary of the "sugar and syrup" and wanted a more driven, traditional style, thus the rise of the Bakersfield Sound which laid the foundation for the "outlaw country" of the 70s and 80s....

[@sharonsmith2771]

@@rickboone1090 cool. I dont agree with all, I dont hear any lush strings in I Fall To Pieces or Behind Closed Doors. I hear plenty of piano from Charlie. Same with Rose Garden. Im up with all the info you are stating. A big country fan through my father. Have been listening my whole 61 years. What did you think of the Ken Burns doco? Amazing work i thought.

[@rickboone1090]

@@sharonsmith2771 Sharon... Fall to Pieces - listen to slow walking bass, background vocals, easy-going piano (much different than hillbilly of late 40's and 50's).....Behind Closed Doors...strings as support for piano at :05-:11 and similar spots throughout song...again a much more polished form of country music (not hillbilly, Bakersfield or outlaw).....Rose Garden....intro is studio orchestra and in 2nd verse and after... I have seen some of Burns' documentary....what I saw was good...👍

[@sharonsmith2771]

@@rickboone1090 still dont agree with your description of lush strings.I get what you are trying to say, but a slow walking bass background vocals and easy going piano are NOT lush strings. Frank Sinatra and others of his ilk used orchestras that indeed used lush strings. Do you have the 1972 Will The Circle Be Unbroken 3 disc or 3 record album? Recorded live in the studio. That album sums up what country music is for me. An all time favourite. I like Waylon and Willie. Three fingers whiskey etc Love Mr and Mrs Cash. Hank Snow is huge in our house. Different strokes i suppose.

[@leifwright1255]

“Silver Wings” is a great Merle song.

[@masterofsparkshwy6974]

Happy Mother's day to Amber. It's clear you're a great mom. When everyone else can just say flat out " she's a good mother, I know. " that says a lot about ya. Same for dads. Good song pick. Makes me remember how many gray hairs and lines in her face I've caused. I swore I'd add no more, but she's gonna worry no matter what !

[@757optim]

Merle hit those licks on his Fender Telecaster. Would like to have the Haggard signature model, but don't have 8 grand to throw at a guitar. RIP Merle.

[@johnrchampion]

That sound is from a steel Guitar. Either type can make that sound.

[@carlprince2866]

His sons are good But i think Ben has it over all with his guitar skills

[@johngilbanni6385]

I’ve always seen Merle with an acoustic during this song, even though he was an absolutely fantastic guitarist. Roy Nichols played lead for him, but I heard James Burton did a lot of the studio work, probably not this early, though.

[@thundernels]

Merle is often referred to as the poet of the common man. You really can’t go wrong with anything by him. Sing Me Back Home. Silver Wings. I personally really like Misery and Gin, although he didn’t write it.

[@violettompkins206]

One of my all time favorites, Merle Haggard is a Legend! ✌❤🎶

[@roscoepc56]

One of the things that made Merle so good was his band, The Strangers, led by the Late and Great Roy Nichols on lead electric guitar!! Roy was so good that he could take an out of tune guitar and play the fool thing in tune!! Merle and the Strangers were one of the Best you'll EVER hear!!

[@marysmart8772]

Wow! This song hits so close to home! Mom was left alone to raise 6! God bless her and my Dad!

[@bwilliams463]

Merle Haggard and Buck Owens were pioneers of the 'Bakersfield Sound,' of which this is an excellent example. Simple percussion, tooled-back bass, and guitar led.

[@ericgerber9751]

The Grateful Dead does a fantastic version of Mama Tried! Jerry’s guitar on it is smokin!

[@jimwilson9371]

They also did Sing Me Back Home live.

[@Royelsworth]

Merle Haggard Wrote this song

[@pacebrison1453]

My dad was born in Pittsburgh during the depression. I was raised on three kinds of music, big bands, Frank Sinatra, and classic country of Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, the Statler Brothers, and Kenny Rogers. Love love love this song and your video.

[@commonsense6967]

The very definition of old school country is Hank Williams, Sr. Songwriter and singer who had no comparison, now or anytime . One of my favorites of his is, "Kah- li-jah" and "I Saw the Light", but so many others, too. Hank played on my daddy's hi-fi every day when I was a kid in the 1950's, and now I can understand why.

[@manya623]

I hate to be that person, but for them to be able to find it the spelling is Kaw-liga not kah-li-jah

[@Head-ck4hu]

Merle was in San Quentin. He was pardoned by then Governor Ronald Reagan. Turned out pretty good. Watch his impressions of other singers. My favorite is That's the way Love Goes, Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star, Silver Wings, and Misery and Gin.

[@garbagebill]

“Old flames can’t hold a candle to you” or “silver wings” nuff said. Both will warm your heart.

[@55judylw]

This song always makes me cry because I've lived this song with my middle son for the last 28 years. He's spent more years in prison than out. But, I don't stop hoping and praying next time he gets out (in 2 years) it will be the last time.

[@rbb9753]

Odd bit of trivia. John Green, the novelist who wrote The Fault in Our Stars, was a self-described troubled child and said that at his wedding, he danced with his mom to this song.

[@jenniferhoffpauir1048]

Must listen to "The Fightin' Side of Me" great message for these times.

[@gabrielledormuth4634]

I'm proud to say I grew up listening to old Merle Haggard thanks to my dad and for Christmas one year I got him tickets to see him He didn't say anything, all he did was give me a hug and thanked me

[@pamlawhon3691]

Merle Haggard was not only an amazing singer, but he was an incredible musician! His style of guitar playing was very unique! Farmers Daughter is another favorite and “If We Make it Through December”. Love y’all!!

[@resurrectionwaiting9294]

Merle was,a big fan of Jimmie Rogers - The Singing Brakeman- , and he did an album of covers of Rogers' songs. The album is, "Same Train, Different Time". It is one of his Best!

[@billhowe5921]

Merle has some great songs. Merle, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Williams, Jr are all considered outlaw country music. Merle actually spent time in prison.

[@copperhopperwarren4788]

not sure about prison... but fairly certain thzt the rest of "the gang" did a fair amount of time in county/stste institutions. 🙄

[@billhowe5921]

@@copperhopperwarren4788 Merle was a prisoner in San Quinton when Johnny Cash did a concert for the prisoners. Merle was in the audience and it inspired him to change his ways.

[@zacgougeon6496]

@@copperhopperwarren4788 merle did pass time In prison he had his 21th birthday in prison and he saw Johnny Cash in San Quentin Prison and that’s what inspired him to be a musician

[@myrrhfishify7743]

Kris Kristofferson is in there too.

[@billhowe5921]

@@myrrhfishify7743 yes he did. From Hank Jr’s song, “All M Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down,” “…and Kriis (Kristofferson), he is a movie star and he is a movie star and he’s moved off to LA…” proves your point.

[@boblozaintherealworld3577]

80's - 90's country is amazing as well. Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, John Anderson, Mavericks, Brooks and Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson....etc. They all grew up on country music, but rock as well. All amazing artists.

[@robeskridge7948]

“The Fighting Side of Me” is a country classic from Merle!

[@JamesSmith-ti5jc]

“ Sear Old Daddy” rest his soul, left my mom a “Heavy Load” , I think his father passed, also another “Mama” song, Hall Of Fame For MMA’s, Glenn Campbell

[@Teresa-xq5ut]

When I was little my dad lived Merle. I have wonderful memories of him playing guitar and singing this song.

[@jayglenn35]

You can’t go wrong with merle… the lyrics of his songs are really well written.

[@jeffdetmer4681]

Merle was just soooo great. The list of great Merle songs is miles long. A few of my faves are The Farmers Daughter, Daddy Frank the Guitar Man, Are the Good Times Really Over, and so many more. He also has done some amazing covers. He did a whole album of songs by the great Jimmie Rogers. Also a tribute to Bob Wills (one of the all time greats of Western Swing). Merle also did a cover of a Johnny Paycheck song called The Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised. Merle was a brilliant guitar player and also played the fiddle a bit. There truly isn't a band or singer who does any country music who can't do you a Merle song off the top of their head. Oh Happy Mother's Day Amber!

[@herberthanlen386]

Merle was also a great mimic. He could do Cash, Buck Owens and Hank Snow to a tee.

[@robertg7396]

Happy Mothers day Miss Amber. I hope your day was filled with spoils and love! 😊💐🍫🥂

[@kittenchavis3691]

Love Love Love Merle Haggard! I've listen to him since I was a small child. I am now 65 and still love his music! I literally cried when he passed away. ♥

[@CardiacCat]

Sadly many young men (and women) have fallen into that mold, and broke their momma's heart, while ruining their own life. And yes Amber, my mom used to play this song.

[@joshsmith302]

Happy Mother's Day to Amber and all expecting and already mothers. A good county singer that helped a lot of mothers put their babies to sleep when they are fussy. Don Williams,-(I believe in you). Keep up the good work 😎👍.

[@gregwatson3300]

Don Williams, absolutely! Great songwriter and storyteller.

[@arizrich]

Being an old hippie I have to recommend the Grateful Dead cover of this song. They covered quite bit of country back in the day. In their own style of course. Peace!

[@carolgrosklags8933]

Yeah I heard a few country songs that they did, and they were all good! 😀

[@cevinwillson9113]

Sing me back home

[@brianbrekke9500]

Could that have something to do with Jerry Garcias beginnings. He was a Master Banjo picker, and toured with the legendary Bluegrass artist Bill Monroe.

[@waltw4537]

Love Merle Haggard. Grateful Dead do a great cover along with many others. Hey! I'm the Middle Child! Hmm. Right on, Jay! Great reaction tune for Mother's Day. Thanks!

[@kimking6036]

When my oldest Granddaughter was born she would cry and nothing helped. Until one day I played Conway Twitty. As soon as she heard him say, Hello Darlin, she stopped. We played it on repeat a lot 🙂. My next Granddaughter was the same way with this song. We worry about her 😂

[@lindaestep3880]

Funny!!!

[@lindabrewer3243]

Merle has 3 sons who often and sing together. Noah, Marty and Ben. They are all amazing but my favorite is Ben. He is really awesome. Happy Mother's Day!!

[@you2449]

Had to tune in immediately! Merle is one of the GOATs.

[@samfordman]

I got locked up over some gun trouble when I was still 20, so turned 21 in prison. Years later, this song came on when I was somewhere with my dad, and he started singing along. I said, "Man, you don't anything about Merle Haggard." Dad was like, "Shoot, that's 'Mama Tried'; I used to sing that to your mom to mess with her when you were in prison!"🤪

[@martinmitchell8626]

I would love to see more reactions to Merle. Beware...the rabbit hole with him is deep.

[@michlkwitz]

Happy mother's day, Amber! And a big shout out to my late grandmother, who raised 6 kids on her own after my grandfather went out for cigarettes and didn't come back until 13 years later. My mother and her younger brother, aged 15 and 12 1/2 at the time and the only kids still living at home, told him to get out or they would put him out. They had to put him out. Dumbass showed back up 7 years later. This time it was my dad putting him out. He didn't come back after that.

[@larryhudgins3647]

"That's the Way Love Goes" - beautiful guitar work!

[@juanaboynkin1196]

This was also a favorite song of the Grateful Dead. They would play it often.

[@jeremyfagner6808]

Not one bad song from Merle! One of the greatest!

[@morningcoffeebreak7367]

90's Country! Suzy Bogguss, who I'm currently doing some cement yard/garden art stuff for, is great..."Aces" is her biggest hit I think. Of course there is Pam Tillis, Patty Loveless, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea, Trisha Yearwood (Garth Brooks' wife) Leeann Rimes, Faith Hill, etc etc...this decade REALLY belonged to the women...

[@tinagoff3573]

Yes “Aces” for sure!! Would be great for female Friday… how about all country female Friday (just once) ???? 😀

[@johnjsal]

Merle Haggard was a huge influence on Clint Black, who was an absolutely fantastic singer/songwriter, mainly in the 90s, but he's still around. He has a ton of great songs like Nothing's News, Killin' Time, No Time to Kill, Loving Blind, Burn One Down, State of Mind, Where Are You Now, We Tell Ourselves, A Better Man...good lord the list goes on. Nothing's News is probably my favorite, and Where Are You Now another great one. He had a lot of songs that were much more cerebral than the typical country song as well. He has plenty of songs about relationships and stuff like that, but he also has a lot of songs about much more abstract concepts like the passage of time or the workings of our memories. He is brilliant.

[@btgiv6009]

For an old country song, I recommend Charlie Pride's first hit, "Snakes Crawl at Night". Everything about it is great!

[@robertberger5639]

I absolutely love Merle. He is without question on the Mount Rushmore of the country genre. But as someone else mentioned, the Grateful Dead covered this for decades and more than did it justice. And I know you like the Dead, Amber. Here they are in 1971 covering Mama Tried: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoiuqIehgZKarLs Enjoy!

[@timpafundi6321]

The Grateful Dead covered this song superbly…

[@cevinwillson9113]

Also sing me back home

[@MSD4306]

That guitar with the unique sound is a steel guitar, a staple of country music!

[@oregonfordguy9812]

sadly not used nearly as much in today's pop/countryside

[@RobertJones-ux6nc]

My favorite Merle Haggard song is Silver Wings which was our favorite Marine song played all the time when was over in Okinawa, Japan back in 1979.

[@bengilbert7655]

A great song for either Mother’s or Father’s Day is ‘Mom and Dad’s Waltz’ by Lefty Frizzell. Willie Nelson did a great cover of it too.

[@Spazzmatazzz]

There is a bit of Merle's truth to this song. Check this out: "After being convicted of attempted robbery as a teenager, Haggard spent several years in California’s San Quentin State Prison, where he heard Johnny Cash play and was talked out of trying to escape by his fellow inmates, who thought he had a future on the outside as a successful musician." Now... Okie in Muskogee was released in '69. I was in high school in Tulsa in '70 and the "We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee" line just killed us! (there was a LOT of weed there at the time. Never burned my draft card, but I did have long hair. lol

[@davidncw4613]

Those two bad ass notes at the start and finish, pre bend the string, bend it hard, pick the note and let the bend off as it rings. I heard a tape of a live ver, The lead 6 string rings out that riff. Merl cutts in and stops the song. Says do that again, then says ''damn I like that". Hagg had a top shelf band by any measure.

[@timreed8876]

Merle was a great songwriter & had one of the best, most distinctive voices in country music. His story is truly inspiring. His duets with former wife, Bonnie Owens, are worth a look.

[@itsmedino]

Oh God the feels. So sorry for all the things I did to hurt you Mom.

[@bert131974]

Back in 1994 my girlfriend then and wife now. Introduced me to country music by taking me to see Merle haggard in concert. We saw Merle the last time he came corpus christi tx before he passed. One of the greatest voices in country. So glad my wife introduced me to country music.

[@anjoleeeickhoff6800]

This song is based on truth in his life, he did spend time in prison. I like the fact he took responsibility for his actions and didn’t blame it on anyone else like so many do today.

[@philipb2378]

Merle Haggard was one of the best. He was an inmate at San Quentin prison when Johnny Cash played his famous concert there. Seeing Johnny Cash inspired Merle to try music when he got out of prison. In my opinion, Haggard's best song was "Mama's Hungry Eyes." Of course, my favorite song by Haggard is "The Farmer's Daughter" because I'm a city boy who's been married to the amazing "Farmer's Daughter" for almost 30 years. I'd love to see y'all react to "The Farmer's Daughter" by Merle Haggard, PLEASE!

[@edithmaxim2041]

one of the best singer / songwriter ever. His songs was about his life.

[@kathyk5319]

My favorite Merle Haggard song is "Going Where the Lonely Go." Brings tears every time I hear it

[@CMSProductions]

The truth is that Merl Haggard was in prison when Johnny Cash played Folsom Prison. Merl was in the audience. That concert gave him hope to turn his life around.

[@mamabear9325]

My son took me to see Merle 3rd row front and nobody in front of us. This was the only song he recorded. He was repaying me for taking him to see someone he thought he was going to hate. Both Merle and Willie were on stage that night. He ended up loving them. I hated when my dad would play Merle Haggard, I would eye roll and everything teenaged girls do to let you know their so much smarter than you'll ever be. I ended up with his albums when he passed away. Couldn't just let them sit there and rust. ❤❤ There is a song called "My Favorite Memory of All."

[@michellemedinas7128]

Merle has 4 very talented sons that followed in their Dads shoes. One of his sons Scott had the honor last year of playing on the same stage in Muskogee where his Dad first played Okie from Muskogee years before. He shared just how special it was to perform where his Dad had.

[@kajabrill2404]

My favorite memory really shows off his voice..He's the G.O.A.T

[@dsusan17]

Merle Haggard is LEGEND. His catalog is LEGEND.

[@lindabrown2542]

Merle could make his voice sound like several other country artist. It was awesome to see him do that

[@lindarumsey3109]

My favorite male country singer of all time! A legend. Check out The Farmer's Daughter, Fighting Side of Me, Silver Wings, Daddy Frank, I think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink, Today I Started Loving You Again!

[@julietate7806]

I truly love you guys. Merle's family migrated west to California from Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. His father worked on the railroad and died when Merle was only 9 years old. He wrote so many songs about his mother, Flossie: "Mama's Hungry Eyes" about living in a labor camp while his father looked for work. Merle didn't have that Nashville country twang. His voice was totally unique, as illustrated by "Loneliness Is Eating Me Alive," "I Threw Away the Rose," "Long Black Limousine," and especially "Today I Started Loving You Again."

[@michaelboismier1863]

Thank you so much for playing this! Such great memories of playing this tune in my first Country band! He is such a great artist👍🎶Happy Mother's day to you Amber!

[@SBQDawn]

That was A Steel Guitar Signature of Classic Country ! Merle actually met Johnny Cash when John Toured and Recorded his Prison Albums Live. When Merle got out John pretty much gave him his solo career by helping in any way he could.

[@brettg274]

Merle Haggard was a prisoner in the audience at one of Johnny Cash’s San Quentin prison shows. That’s what inspired him to pursue songwriting.

[@charliefisher4044]

My favorite singer!! Listen to Mama's Hungry Eyes, In My Next Life, Fighting Side of Me, Silver Wings... He's great! Happy Mother's Day!! Merle spent time in San Quinton prison and turned his life around after Johnny Cash done a concert at the prison. He wrote all of his songs, too.

[@kathybwell]

Happy Mother's Day Amber 💖 Merle grew up in the farming town of Bakersfield, Ca. Dirt poor, his family lived in a converted boxcar. Fun fact - Merle was in San Quentin prison when Johnny Cash played there,.

[@wgnation351]

One of my favorite songs of all. Mama's Hungry Eyes is a sad one too. I grew up on stuff like this, and Elvis.

[@ericolson2216]

My all-time favorite country singer. Thanks for the reaction.

[@tancar2004]

"Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man) is my favorite Merle song isn't one of his biggest hits but it's just such a sweet song.

[@diannthomas5653]

His band was called the Strangers, after his first hit All my Friends are gonna be Strangers

[@JamesJohnson-zt2zv]

A favorite! My mom would play and sing it all the time!

[@malcolmr3]

The sound y’all liked and found so distinctive is a steel guitar, there’s no other instrument that can make that sound.. it’s my favorite instrument.

[@richb313]

Happy Mother's Day Amber this is a great selection for today. Your interest in all kinds of music is quite inspirational. Thanks for the reaction to this classic.

[@willkittwk]

Love that you young folks have a feeling for the ol skool country songs.

[@byax1]

Merle the Perle. No one better. A tear jerker to listen to would be “If I Could Only Fly”

[@randallwilson]

" Your walkin on the fightin side of me" is a good one buy Merle!

[@captainkangaroo4301]

Merle was in San Quentin prison when he saw Johnny Cash perform there and decided to Persue music when he got out. It was not the Johnny Cash performance for the San Quentin album but several years before that

[@CindyWilson1991]

Merle Haggard was in the prison audience when Johnny Cash first performed at San Quentin. Haggard served a three year of 15 year burglary sentence...This song is autobiographical. His father died when he was 9 and he started committing crimes and being a juvenile delinquent soon after. He was the youngest child btw.

[@willdwyer6782]

Merle is one of the handful of celebrities I've had the pleasure of sharing a joint with. Woody Harrelson and Hunter Thompson are in that list. This song is a true story. He was in and out of prison until 1960 when he was released from San Quentin and finally turned his life around. Merle was lying through his teeth when he sang, "we don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee."

[@middleage_maniac1692]

Silver wings, tonight the bottle let me down, swinging doors, my favorite memory of all. All great Merle songs with a great sound.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Merle’s music would blow y’all Away!! Master Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer.

[@tomross6652]

Johnny Cash played live at Folsom Prison. In the audience was an inmate, Merle Haggard. He said that inspired him to a career in country music.

[@shellyjackson3887]

Check out "If We Make It Through December", "You are My Favorite Memory of All", "Fighting Side of Me" and all the rest. There are way too many to mention. My dad actually went to school with Merle in Oildale, CA. I've been to Merle's concerts where we were both too drunk. Had a blast!! R.I.P Merle. See you on the other side!

[@davidstephens6462]

Swinging Doors. Daddy Frank. If We Make it Through December. Red Bandana. Yesterday's Wine. My Favorite Memory. Sing Me Back Home. So, so many Haggard hits.