He wrote songs about typical country themes such as alcoholism and heartbreak, but made his name primarily by expanding the traditional repertoire and to sing about social problems such as poverty and loneliness.

life was also not kind to Merle . He lost an early age his father was repeatedly locked up in juvenile hall, where he is also just as often escaped again. Haggard decided to go into music when he was detained in the prison of San Quentin Johnny Cash heard singing. He was behind bars because he arrived drunk tried to break into a pub – which was just open and full of customers. It was an endless series of petty theft and other minor crimes preceded.

Those tumultuous years proved a gold mine for a career in music, which Haggard in turn kept on the straight and narrow. With hits like Mama Tried , a 21st birthday in the cell, processed and he struck his vagabond past. His voice, with a raw edge, and ‘authentic’ nomination did the rest.