The Truth Behind Merle Haggard's Time In Prison

Plenty of country artists sing hard luck songs about doing time in prison, but unlike so many of them, Merle Haggard lived it. Haggard was in-and-out of prison in his younger years, and it was the performance of a country superstar that changed his career trajectory. Haggard was only 20 years old when Johnny Cash played his now-famous concert at San Quentin prison, and his rebellious attitude and sympathy for the incarcerated men made Haggard reconsider his future. Let’s take a look at the truth behind Merle Haggard’s time in prison, as well as how he turned his life around.
#MerleHaggard #CountryMusic #Music
Read Full Article: www.grunge.com...

[@GrungeHQ]

Who is your favorite country musician of all time?

[@daBEAGLE1017]

Hee Haws LuLu Roman, she was smokin

[@susiekwong3814]

Willie Nelson

[@shannonpattenthetexasbb]

We don't have the old hag anymore country music ain't like it used to be back in the day it was country I still got mold grandmother's vinyl collection

[@NathanMcCabe88]

Johnny Cash

[@toddgaines9446]

Hank Williams Sr.

[@alanstrong3295]

The Okie From Muskogee has passed on. Love that song.

[@williamharper9356]

I cried when he passed his music touched my heart.

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

I remember oh some forty plus years ago, being a young soldier on the mean streets of Tongduchon South Korea, every juke box on that strip of bars played American songs, and every 30 minutes to an hour you could hear in every one of them: " I turned twenty one in prison, doing life without Parole" The GI's loved it, so did the Koreans. I think it is one of the most dynamic songs in American culture. A man, far from home, who grew up hard and screwed up and suffered endlessly. Yet, Haggard overcame Prison and Johnny Cash helped him. Merle never had it easy, but I am so glad he made it to the top of the business. I will always love him, and know, there is a God, who sees things his way. He grew up in cruel poverty, and his music reached the common person, princes, and Kings and Queens. Ronald Reagan's pardon did much to send a message.... "Yeah you did bad, but you have changed your ways" The President realized his redemption and with a smile pardoned him of his past. Redeemed and blessed, he has also blessed us. Thank You Jesus for saving my hero: Merle Haggard!!!

[@joannehanna2590]

Merle Haggard was Great!! Im so lucky to have went to one of the "Willie & Merle on the road again" concerts at Anaheim Stadium in 86, Emmy Lou Harris & Alabama were there as well ...best concert ever!!!~~oh and people were dancing ,,,having a good ol time and had the biggest Beer sales to date!!!🍻

[@ruthlafond1992]

0

[@dionst.michael1482]

Haggard was the soundtrack of my entire life. He was always on in our house. He was my Dad's hero. They'll never be another

[@jerrytaylor4078]

‘If we make it through December’ just one of my favorites.

[@owenmccall632]

A massive natural talent, thank you merle for pleasure thru the years

[@openbun1283]

Rebel with a cause??Love his music to bits.

[@carywest9256]

I saw "The Hag" in 1968-69, in the Sam Houston Colosseum in Houston with my mom and dad. I was 6 or 7. I have tried to find the date of this show,but to no avail. This was my first concert ever! It left a lasting impression on me.

[@tommysmith5135]

What a great moment for you,Cary West! I'm your age but first saw him after I was grown. I actually had a chance to talk with him a few times when he was in Oklahoma. That was great moment for me as well.

[@carywest9256]

@@tommysmith5135 Sir,my dad liked Merle and Johnny Cash. I never saw The Man in Black. I reckon that l have the country,blues and rock-n-roll in my blood. Being from Texas, its hard not to love those genres of music!

[@tommysmith5135]

@@carywest9256 Sounds like my dad. Cash was also a favorite. I lean in the direction as you when it comes music.

[@Texasbluestunes]

I saw Hag play with his back to 610 loop at San Felipe in Houston 1994. He played on a small riser in front of two bleachers in front of a yuppie country bar. I remember Sam Houston Coliseum, saw a few shows there myself.

[@johnearle1]

Merle Haggard is the high priest of the cautionary tale put to music. The song Sidewalks Of Chicago is his most resonant. If I buy the bread, I can’t afford the wine….wishing I’d lived some other time.

[@austinhughes6852]

It doesn’t surprise me.That Merle Haggard actually went to prison.

[@karenbritt8888]

The One and Only Great Merle Haggard gotta Love him❤❤❤

[@barbaragarner9192]

He may not have liked it short story of his life, because there is so much more. But he was one great song writer and musician

[@paulinemasonbrown8554]

Have always loved Merle. Rest in Peace. God bless you all

[@markrush5013]

Hag was in/ out of trouble in his younger days...his big crime was stealing a car but he broke out of so many reform schools and jails that he was finally sent to the big house.Gov.Reagan later cleared Hag's record. i saw Hag several times...he always did songs you never expected...never did the same set list....last time i saw him..about 18 months before he died..he sang "As Time Goes By" from "Casablanca".

[@scottb839]

The Hag. A real deal outlaw country singer and legend

[@gregorystojkov2632]

Saw him and the Strangers 1967 at the Akron Civic Theater...OUTSTANDING!

[@kennywest5338]

momma tried

[@Appathetic_Substance_Abuse]

I TURNED 21 IN PRISON DOIN LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE

[@geraldinecarpenter970]

Love his singing !

[@downhilltwofour0082]

Now that was a wild and wide life! He pretty much did it all.

[@billh4984]

God bless the Hag!!! It's a long story but I once bought 4 seats for two asses to see Merle........ worth every damn penny!!!

[@skeeter4196]

Thank you straight to the point

[@edanthony4131]

I love the "Hag"...

[@pestilenceplague4765]

I was born in Muskogee!

[@matthewmcsheffrey2522]

🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️R.I.P.

[@reginaldinoenchillada3513]

One dislike. Ol' Merle Haggard did not appreciate this story.

[@edsmith9900]

I'm thinking that Merle played for Reagan when Reagan was in the White House. I think Merle surpassed Cash in talent. It goes to show that just because a man is serving time, does not mean he is a total loss.

[@Drugstorecowboy69]

Died on his birthday damn.

[@wildbill278]

Willie Nelson is my favorite of all time

[@thespiritof76..]

Ok..... well on the 1969 Johnny cash show he reviled what he went to prison for. And they still didn’t tell us in this upload

[@richardgray7447]

He was arrested for Burglary and ended up getting sentenced to 15 years in state prison ( Paroled after 3 ) and sent to San Quintin. Prior to being sent to the big leagues of prison , Merle was a petty criminal and had been sent to dozens of juvenile facilities and before San Quintin he had a reputation as an escape artist. Merle had escaped from 17 Juvenile facilities and that was part of the reason he was sent to San Quintin after he turned 18 and caught the Burglary charge. He had the intentions of attempting to escape from San Quintin as well but another inmate had attempted to escape and was quickly caught and sent to death row after shooting a officer during the attempt. After seeing how horribly the man was beaten as well as how quickly he was rounded up , Merle immediately had quite a few “ second thoughts “ about attempting to escape. Then in 1959 on New Years Day Johnny Cash played at the prison and changed Merle’s life forever. Merle vowed that he would do anything he could to follow in Johnny’s path and become a successful country musician. 10 years later he was on the Johnny Cash Show performing in the historic Ryman Memorial Auditorium ( The Grand Ole Opry House ) and sealing his fate !!! It’s Actually a phenomenal tale of persistence and following your dreams they pan out.

[@thespiritof76..]

@@richardgray7447 thank you so much for your answer... Much appreciated sir

[@graffzon]

If dude was 18 1957 then he was born AFTER the great depression 😅

[@artwerksDallas]

Something else

[@TheVinceLyons]

Oildale!

[@rebeccawebb9557]

Sound off Across America Today at 7 pm e s t Make some noise Fire one shot into the ground or use Air horn let's see who's Alive and Kicking!

[@cyanne392]

lol this was uploaded 42 seconds ago

[@jakestokes398]

How do you know this ?

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Did I miss something, or did they not actually say what crime/s he committed to wind up in prison?

[@marycornett3165]

He was a thief he even went to break in a business that was still open when the workers asked him what he was doing he said we're trying to break in the workers told him to come around front were still open lol

[@dorothysummers7055]

He resemlr Ted Bundy in their youth

[@johncameron1133]

So whyd he end up in jail?

[@jerrytaylor4078]

john cameron Armed robbery.