Merle Milestones

Here’s a recap of just a few of notable achievements (and a few low points) in the storied life of The Hag.

1946

Merle Haggard’s father dies.

1950

Haggard is sent for the first time to a juvenile detention center for shoplifting at a women’s lingerie store.

1953-1954

Haggard attends a Lefty Frizzell concert with his long-time friend Bob Teague at Bakersfield’s Rainbow Gardens. Frizzell invites Haggard on stay to open the show.

1957

Haggard attempts to rob a Bakersfield tavern and was sent to San Quentin state prison.

1962

Haggard ends up performing at a Wynn Stewart show in Las Vegas and joins Stewart’s band for six months.

1965

(My Finders Are Gonna Be) Strangers, his first album, is released and becomes his first national top 10 record.

1967

Haggard goes on a streak of 37 consecutive Top Ten hits, including 23 No. 1 singles.

1969

“Okie From Muskogee” is released.

1972

“Carolyn” becomes another number one country hit and Gov. Ronald Reagan pardons Haggard for all his past crimes.

1977

Haggard makes the cover of TIME magazine and is inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

1981

Sing Me Back Home, Haggard’s autobiography, is published.

1984

Haggard wins his first Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance in the male category. He goes on to win three more in 1999, 2005 and 2006.

2000

Haggard signs with Anti and releases what many call his comeback record If I Could Only Fly.

2006

Kern County renames a portion of a road Merle Haggard Drive. Haggard is honored at the 54^th BMI Pop Awards.

2008

Haggard is diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and undergoes surgery.

2010

Haggard receives a Kennedy Center Honor for his contributions to American culture.

(Compiled by Lynn Lieu)