Merle was in and out of jail from age 11 when his mom turned him over to juvenile authorities because she said Merle was incorrigible. Merle went to jail 3 times as a teenager, escaping once, and in 1957 when he was 18 Merle was sentenced to 15 years in prison at San Quentin on a robbery and burglary charge, which is what this song is about. Another song that Merle wrote about his time in San Quentin is Sing Me Back Home and it's definitely worth checking out. 🙏✌️
Merle Haggard was an inmate in San Quentin prison during one of the times that Johnny Cash performed there. He got out and became a legend, himself. And even performed with Johnny Cash.
Merle Haggard is definitely one of the leading figures in country music; he's written and sung some of the greatest songs of all time. He spent a good number of years in prison. Some years later due to his contribution to the music world and society he was pardoned by Ronald Reagan, who was at that time the Governor of California.
He was released from San Quentin on parole in 1960. In 1972, after Haggard had become an established country music star, then-California governor Ronald Reagan granted Haggard a full and unconditional pardon for his past crimes.
My number 1 country music artist of all time!!!!not a a day does not go by I don’t listen to Merle sometime during the day!!seen Merle 15 times in concert 7 backstage passes!had a few drinks with the hag!RIP..
My oldest Granddaughter just turned 21. When she would cry as a baby I could play Conway Twitty's Hello Darlin' and she'd stop. My 2nd Granddaughter only stopped crying for this song. I still worry about her😄
Silver Wings and That’s The Way Love Goes are two of his big tender songs. We played Silver Wings every night at the local beer joints. The dance floor filled up every time…..
Had the pleasure of meeting Merle just a few years before his passing, back when I was living in North Arkansas. He had bought a ranch from a local real estate group that I was friends with and I happened to come in to their office one day while he was there, just relaxing on the sofa and shooting the breeze with them as normal as can be. I did a double and then triple take when I saw him and it was really like meeting one of the Godfathers of country music. He did an open air concert on a cattle farm there later that summer, headlining a pretty big festival that lasted two or three days.
There are videos where Merle Haggard does great impressions. One video, he does a great impression of Marty Robbins in front of Marty Robbins. In another video, he does a great impression of Buck Owens and Johnny Cash with both Buck Owens and Johnny Cash.
One thing that is almost never mentioned in reaction video comments about Merle Haggard is that he did insanely good impressions of other country singers. If I can recall, he does a spot on impression of Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, and others, and he did his impressions while the person he was doing the impressions were standing right beside him! Merle Haggard is one of the cornerstones of country music, definitely one that has left an impression on other artists and listeners for decades! He was also in Folsom prison, where I think he heard Johnny Cash sing at the now famous prison concert, which motivated Merle to turn his life around, and man... he sure did, he made himself one of the greatest country singers in history!
The first line he sings in the chorus « I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole » is an entire story in itself. Just an absolutely perfect lyric. ❤
During my sophomore year of High School in rural Oklahoma, around 2007-08, I had an English teacher named Mrs. Haggard. I provoked my best friend into jokingly asking her if her father's name was "Merle".. She said no, but suprisingly she said her husband was related to him in some way. Merle Haggard's parents were originally from Oklahoma, and they moved to California during the Great Depression/Dust Bowl era.. He has a big hit song called "Okie from Muskogee". Muskogee isn't too far from me.
This is some old school country stuff. Kind of music Dad listened to when I was growing up. Merle was a wild man. He got pardoned, got out of jail, joined a famous band then ran off with the band leaders wife, then got famous on his own. Love his twangy guitar style and his general Countryness. Lol. I love your hair today too. ✌️❤️
Merle is my favorite Country Western singer, of all time. He could string words together like no other, and he had such a beautiful voice. When Johnny Cash did his concert at San Quentin, Merle was an inmate and was in the audience.
I am still watching almost every day...I am hooked. Your comments and impressions are thoughtful and interesting. I have watched many different reaction videos but yours are different. It actually feels like a real discussion rather than someone searching for something to say, any type of critique. You are intelligent, witty and fun to watch...and since we are watching a country song, I'll say you're cute as a bug! (I think I have heard Dolly use that expression)
What a very nice comment, I fully agree with yer assessment!! I also watch all of Britt's reactions, I get a huge kick out of her, O'So funny expressions. Class act right-cheer folks, so subscribe you dum-dums lol 😂
Totally agree as well. Britt is beautiful, well spoken, intelligent and open. She has fun critiques and I love watching her expressions. I also believe she is a talented vocalist herself 😊
He's got at least two other hits about prison life and they are fantastic songs, great storytelling and great singing and everything about them really gets to you. "Sing Me Back Home" and "Branded Man". I have performed this song Mama Tried so many times in the course of my years spent playing in honky-tonk bands. Always a crowd-pleaser. I loved playing the lead guitar part on this and then doing a high harmony vocal to the other singer, we typically would do backing vocals to each other's lead vocals.
I requested you to do Merle a few weeks ago. You must have received others as well. Thank you there are so many by him. The people that wrote composed and sing their own music (life stories) are the best. Doesn't happen much anymore.
Merle Haggard was pardoned by Nixon. He is one of the greatest Country Music artists of all time. He also wrote many songs. He preformed up to a few days before he died. He was a Patriot. He loved our country. He was called a friend to the working man. He was also known as the hardest working man in the business. You must look into this Giant of the Music worlds catalog.
3:04 - Do we know what he did? No - it's kept vague in order to be relatable to more people. My husband was an old school convict - Sometimes he would just bust out loud "Mama tried, Mama tried". LOL The MAIN LESSON being ".... that leaves only ME to blame 'cause Mama tried...".
All right Miss Confusion ... excellent choice. You have done a lot of discovery into Country Music ... now you have heard the best song writer of all time. 🤠🔥🤠🔥🤠. I hope you read this comment, because I really Iike your style and open heart to Country Music. But ... first thing , you need to get the titles right. You wrote "MaMa I Tried" .. nope .. it is "MaMa Tried". Next .. even though many of Merle's songs are pictures of his own life , many are stories that he creates in his mind. This is the magic of Country Music , great song writers can tell the story of someone they meet , or just imagine. Merle is the best , the absolute best.. please react to more of his music. Try "Silver Wings" or "If We Make It Through December" . And many more 🦋🦋🦋🦋
He had many hits. Probably his biggest was Okie from Muskogee. As for his sentence, it wasn't any one thing, more of a repeat offender situation. Great reaction to a country icon.
Merle didn't stop being criminal....in the late 60's he took a look around saw on one side people protesting the Vietnam War and on the other side people supporting it. He decided two write 2 songs to align with the latter. Years later, many many...he'd joke it's not often that he's found in Muskogee. He and George Jones would out party most rock stars. He wrote the songs to cash in and it worked. Okie From Muskogee and Fightin Side of Me. If you like him in his elevator shoes you might also enjoy those two songs as well.
many years ago when cars came with cassette players i bought what was probably a 'greatest hits' tape just to get, i think, 'okie from muskogee', but i absolutely fell in love with every single song on there. when i no longer had any tape players (home, car, or as part of a radio/record player set-up) i finally got rid of all my tapes. even today, though, i can look at the comments here and think 'yep, that song was on my tape', 'yep, that one, too', 'yep', and so on lol. i've never been a huge country fan, but there have always been certain singers or groups - kenny rogers started out in a folk group and then as rock and roll as the lead in the first edition (you GOTTA try 'just dropped in to see what condition my condition is in'!!!), and that's where i fell in love with him - that i liked even before they turned country. nitty gritty dirt band played on rock stations before country. there were others like that, too, as well as the country singers - dolly parton for one - that had cross-over hits on rock stations. those have always been more my type, but merle haggard's one of the few really country singers of the 60's or early 70's that i really like.
The funny thing is that I've been a major Merle fan from when I was a kid in the 70's, and what's even funnier is that I spent a good time of my younger years around Redding, California, where Merle lived in nearby Palo Cedro. My mom ran into him quite a few times at the Oak Grove Club in Redding, and even the K-Mart on Hilltop Drive. I even worked at Bernie's Guitar in Redding, where Merle was a friend of the owner. Back in 2016, I knew Merle was at Mercy Medical Center, and I only wish I could have told him how much his music meant to me! RIP Merle!
Yes, so happy you did some Merle! He’s my all time favorite country singer. Merle did do some time but it was mostly juvenile type stuff as a minor and maybe a little as an adult but that’s when he turned it around. So some of his songs deal with inherent, systemic problems in the system but at same time he always takes responsibility in his songs and never blame shifts. Merle was known for going to prison on release day and hiring guys that had no one and no where to go, I always thought that was very honorable and decent of him. My late wife had never listened to country so I introduced her to it and she was crying to some of Merle’s songs like ‘sing me back home’ a song about being on death row…Merle was of my mom and dads generation and he reminds me of them. To this day I can’t listen to ‘Poncho and Lefty’ without crying.. lol you should react to that song, it’s a duet with Willie Nelson. Epic western song! Hope you don’t mind my long comments, I’ve always got a lot to say lol. So take care my beautiful Britt! You are what fantasies are made of. You are what gives men inspiration to achieve greatness in order to garner even a little of your attention…. Til next time. Matt
In 1969 Johnny Cash performed free at San Quentin prison. It is released as an albumn called AT SAN QUENTIN. Merle Haggard was a prisoner in the audience. He credited that concert for changing his life. When he got released he pursued a music career and we are all glad he did.
Check out some Hank Williams Jr. Great stories in his songs. One of my favorite country singers. And the man fell hundreds of feet off a mountain and lived to tell about it.
1972 the California Governor Ronald Reagan officially pardoned Merle Ronald Haggard for all past crimes. Later Mr. Reagan became president of the US and Merle became king of country music! Great reaction!
Merle...."The Workin' Man's Poet"....he and Buck Owens developed the "Bakersfield Sound" in the 1960's as a response and contrast to the "Nashville Sound" of that same era....
The one big thing about country music is it's real we all have a story if it's Meral or Jonny and even Home Free these people have a story to tell. Fantastic reaction kid
My beautiful momma raised two sons, both hellbent on being roughnecks. We both play music and have performed professionally. Both been to prison. But love our momma. She's 74 now and I take care of her. She has stage 4 bone cancer, Multiple Myeloma and complete renal failure. God bless momma, she did try.
This song was a huge hit for Merle Haggard and is loosely based on his early life experience. Merle actually did turn 21 in prison although not for life. It seems Merle and a friend of his nicknamed Rabbit tried to rob a bar and got caught. While they were in San Quentan Rabbit escaped and killed a cop before he was recaptured. Rabbit was executed shortly after that (no long appeal process back then) and this was a real wake-up call for Merle. He decided he was going to straighten up started getting into music. A few years after he was released from prison, he became a big country music star and "Mama Tried" was one of his big hits.
Merle Haggard is one of my favorite Country music male vocalists, from back when Country music was still "real" Country. He has an extensive body of work, so many great songs. Something I'll share that you might find useful... back in the day, we almost always heard an artist's new release on the radio first. These were studio versions. We heard these studio versions over and over, and if we had to have our own personal copy we bought the records, 8-track, or cassette, which was also the studio version. Later, we might see the artist do a live performance on a TV show, and we loved these because we were able to see a fresh, slightly different performance of a song we already knew and loved. It's good to follow that same sequence for reaction videos, too. I've heard a ton of live performances in all genres, where the live version seriously sucked compared to the studio version. It's not a good first impression. Coming in blind is like Gump's box of chocolates. That said, some live performances are exceptional, like the Pink Floyd Pulse concert, for example. But a polished studio version is still a great starting point for comparison, for better or worse. Thanks for visiting Merle Haggard, today. Excellent pick, excellent reaction. :)
I don't think Merle ever had a life sentence though he was in prison. When he got out he was able to turn his life around. If you aren't familiar with him, he's one of the best not only singers but songwriters ever in country music. This song proves it with both his smooth delivery as well as the lyrics he wrote.
Merle was the best country singer/songwriter of all time, IMHO. The Poet of the People. Merle was in prison at 21 but not with a life sentence. He was sent to San Quentin for burglary and for breaking out of other jails. While in SQ he saw the error of his ways and decided to straighten up and make music his career.
Merle Haggard did petty crimes and escaped jail 5 times, thus the judge decided to sentenced him to serve 15 years in California's most notorious maximum security prison in San Quentin. He saw Johnny Cash perform there in 1960. He was scared straight after serving 2½ years, and got out on good behavior. He eventually got pardoned for his past convictions by California Governor Ronald Reagan on March 14th, 1972. Merle said the day he was pardoned was the second most significant day of his life. The first most significant day of his life was the day his dad passed, when he was just 9 years old.. Which Merle references in this song - "Dear ol' daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load. She tried so very hard to fill his shoes".
Merle (rhymes with Curl lol) Is my absolute #1 favorite country singer of all time. You won't find a bad Merle song. Also if you like those old story songs check out Saginaw, Michigan by Lefty Frizzell
Great artist - Bob Dylan (among many others) is a big fan. Try Merle’s “Big City” and “Sing Me Back Home.” Simple songs, perfect phrasing, and they say so much.
I still can't believe you never reacted to Cab Callaway and Nicholas Brothers "Jumping Jive". Many consider it the greatest tap dancing ever. Plus Cab Callaway singing!! Come On!!
independent thinkers "black sheep" can take you anywhere. it is strange how 5 kids grow up in the same household and turn out so differently. maybe its choices or circumstances. who knows. you have a beautiful smile. keep going lady and pull us along your journey. have a blessed day.
That was the #1 country song of 1967. As for what he did to end up with a life sentence, back then it could've been just getting caught with more than an ounce of weed. I may be wrong, but I believe there are some people still serving time from 40-50 years ago for possession of marijuana.
Oh Hun You should dig in his Songbook and check out his hits! If that man ever sang a bad song, I never heard it! I bet it is long as your arm. He has some of the greatest country hits EVER! Ky. Gambler. Turn me loose ,set me free! He is one of the greatest Ever!
Merle, along with Waylon Jennings and Buck Owens, developed the “Bakersfield” sound of country music. Dwight Yoakam looked up to Buck and covered several of his songs, including “Streets of Bakersfield”. Since I know how you like the stories that country songs tell, look up Dwight Yoakam “Streets of Bakersfield” Live from Austin, TX. It features Buck singing with Dwight.
He did several petty crimes, but the last one he did that I just read about was he and a friend drunkenly entered the back of a restaurant, planning to scrounge up some money for his family. They attempted to jimmy open the back door, but they found that it was already unlocked. When they entered, they found that the restaurant was still open and had workers and patrons inside. They were chased out of the front door by the owner, and they jumped in their car and took off down the street. At the first stop sign, a highway patrolman pulled them over. Fearing they were headed to jail, Merle jumped out of the car and ran to a train depot so that he could jump on a train and escape town. But there were no trains there because it was Christmas Eve.. The local depot deputy apprehended and arrested Merle. On Christmas the next day, Merle was awaiting arraignment in the Bakersfield jail. Merle waited for the right moment, and literally walked right out the front door of the jail. This was his 5th escape from jail. He was caught later when he was headed to his older brothers house, by cops hiding in the weeds.. And because of his multiple petty crimes and multiple escapes, the Judge sentenced him to serve 15 years in the notorious San Quentin Maximum Security Prison. He served 2½ years and got out on good behavior.
Merle was in and out of jail from age 11 when his mom turned him over to juvenile authorities because she said Merle was incorrigible. Merle went to jail 3 times as a teenager, escaping once, and in 1957 when he was 18 Merle was sentenced to 15 years in prison at San Quentin on a robbery and burglary charge, which is what this song is about. Another song that Merle wrote about his time in San Quentin is Sing Me Back Home and it's definitely worth checking out. 🙏✌️
Sing Me Back Home is probably my favorite.
A lot of country singers did prison songs. Merle probably had the most actual experience to pull from.
and he was inspired to write songs by Johnny Cashs performance at San Quentin, while Merle was serving his time there. At least, thats the legend.
Merle Haggard was pardoned by Ronald Reagan when he was governor of California.
David Allen Coe Did Time in prison also
Merle Haggard was an inmate in San Quentin prison during one of the times that Johnny Cash performed there.
He got out and became a legend, himself. And even performed with Johnny Cash.
I knew the minute you said you are your families rebel that you were going to regret it the very next line. Great reaction.
Merle Haggard is definitely one of the leading figures in country music; he's written and sung some of the greatest songs of all time. He spent a good number of years in prison. Some years later due to his contribution to the music world and society he was pardoned by Ronald Reagan, who was at that time the Governor of California.
He was released from San Quentin on parole in 1960. In 1972, after Haggard had become an established country music star, then-California governor Ronald Reagan granted Haggard a full and unconditional pardon for his past crimes.
My number 1 country music artist of all time!!!!not a a day does not go by I don’t listen to Merle sometime during the day!!seen Merle 15 times in concert 7 backstage passes!had a few drinks with the hag!RIP..
My oldest Granddaughter just turned 21. When she would cry as a baby I could play Conway Twitty's Hello Darlin' and she'd stop. My 2nd Granddaughter only stopped crying for this song. I still worry about her😄
lmaso
Merle saw Johnny Cash while he was serving time in San Quinton. Merle ended up turning into a country legend.
Silver Wings and That’s The Way Love Goes are two of his big tender songs. We played Silver Wings every night at the local beer joints. The dance floor filled up every time…..
Had the pleasure of meeting Merle just a few years before his passing, back when I was living in North Arkansas. He had bought a ranch from a local real estate group that I was friends with and I happened to come in to their office one day while he was there, just relaxing on the sofa and shooting the breeze with them as normal as can be. I did a double and then triple take when I saw him and it was really like meeting one of the Godfathers of country music. He did an open air concert on a cattle farm there later that summer, headlining a pretty big festival that lasted two or three days.
Merle has a voice like butter. Saw him live in an old dirt arena in Arkansas in 1986... oh what a treasure.
Merle Haggard, my all-time favorite country singer and songwriter. He's gone now, but I still love him and his music.
There are videos where Merle Haggard does great impressions. One video, he does a great impression of Marty Robbins in front of Marty Robbins.
In another video, he does a great impression of Buck Owens and Johnny Cash with both Buck Owens and Johnny Cash.
One thing that is almost never mentioned in reaction video comments about Merle Haggard is that he did insanely good impressions of other country singers. If I can recall, he does a spot on impression of Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, and others, and he did his impressions while the person he was doing the impressions were standing right beside him! Merle Haggard is one of the cornerstones of country music, definitely one that has left an impression on other artists and listeners for decades! He was also in Folsom prison, where I think he heard Johnny Cash sing at the now famous prison concert, which motivated Merle to turn his life around, and man... he sure did, he made himself one of the greatest country singers in history!
"Sing me back home" is another great Haggard song.
The first line he sings in the chorus « I turned 21 in prison doing life without parole » is an entire story in itself. Just an absolutely perfect lyric. ❤
He was an inmate at San Quinton when Johnny Cash did a show there changed his life he knew when he got out what he was going to do 💙
During my sophomore year of High School in rural Oklahoma, around 2007-08, I had an English teacher named Mrs. Haggard.
I provoked my best friend into jokingly asking her if her father's name was "Merle".. She said no, but suprisingly she said her husband was related to him in some way.
Merle Haggard's parents were originally from Oklahoma, and they moved to California during the Great Depression/Dust Bowl era.. He has a big hit song called "Okie from Muskogee". Muskogee isn't too far from me.
I was born in Okla, but never lived there just visited family . I call myself an Okie.🤠
Merle Haggard is the true king of country music.. Greatest singer/ songwriter ever..
"California cotton fields" and "In the good old day when times were bad" are Really good songs by him.
One of country music's greatest singers, song writer's and artist of all time. Fantastic.
This is some old school country stuff. Kind of music Dad listened to when I was growing up. Merle was a wild man. He got pardoned, got out of jail, joined a famous band then ran off with the band leaders wife, then got famous on his own. Love his twangy guitar style and his general Countryness. Lol. I love your hair today too. ✌️❤️
He was in Buck Owens’ band AND married his ex wife, but Buck’s marriage was over long before Merle came in to the picture.
Merle is my favorite Country Western singer, of all time. He could string words together like no other, and he had such a beautiful voice. When Johnny Cash did his concert at San Quentin, Merle was an inmate and was in the audience.
I am still watching almost every day...I am hooked. Your comments and impressions are thoughtful and interesting. I have watched many different reaction videos but yours are different. It actually feels like a real discussion rather than someone searching for something to say, any type of critique. You are intelligent, witty and fun to watch...and since we are watching a country song, I'll say you're cute as a bug! (I think I have heard Dolly use that expression)
Omg thank you!!!
What a very nice comment, I fully agree with yer assessment!! I also watch all of Britt's reactions, I get a huge kick out of her, O'So funny expressions. Class act right-cheer folks, so subscribe you dum-dums lol 😂
Couldn't agree more!
Totally agree as well. Britt is beautiful, well spoken, intelligent and open. She has fun critiques and I love watching her expressions. I also believe she is a talented vocalist herself 😊
@@KimNevelzer yes, I think BRITT can sing too. I wonder if there is a recording out there of her singing I would like to hear it.
What a great song from him . Grew listening to merl as long has I can remember. Just good old country music right there.
He's got at least two other hits about prison life and they are fantastic songs, great storytelling and great singing and everything about them really gets to you. "Sing Me Back Home" and "Branded Man".
I have performed this song Mama Tried so many times in the course of my years spent playing in honky-tonk bands. Always a crowd-pleaser. I loved playing the lead guitar part on this and then doing a high harmony vocal to the other singer, we typically would do backing vocals to each other's lead vocals.
Merle’s songs were always truthful! He’s my all time favorite male country artist.
Johnny Cash did a concert at the prison that Meryl was in, and it set him on the path of parole and success in the music industry.
There is not a follow up, there is only Merle's life story.
i was lucky to here his uncle play guitar with a friend of mine at weekly bar back in the 60s. whole family of musicians.
I requested you to do Merle a few weeks ago. You must have received others as well. Thank you there are so many by him. The people that wrote composed and sing their own music (life stories) are the best. Doesn't happen much anymore.
Merle Haggard was pardoned by Nixon. He is one of the greatest Country Music artists of all time. He also wrote many songs. He preformed up to a few days before he died. He was a Patriot. He loved our country. He was called a friend to the working man. He was also known as the hardest working man in the business. You must look into this Giant of the Music worlds catalog.
California Governor Ronald Reagan pardoned Merle Haggard in 1972.
Thank you so much for the clarification!!!! I was having a brain fog day. I should have looked it up!
3:04 - Do we know what he did? No - it's kept vague in order to be relatable to more people. My husband was an old school convict - Sometimes he would just bust out loud "Mama tried, Mama tried". LOL The MAIN LESSON being ".... that leaves only ME to blame 'cause Mama tried...".
A legend that I had the privilege of seeing in Concert in Calhoun Georgia he was with another legend Vern Gosdin
I used to love watching the Grateful Dead doing this live. Yes, I've been around a little bit.
All right Miss Confusion ... excellent choice. You have done a lot of discovery into Country Music ... now you have heard the best song writer of all time. 🤠🔥🤠🔥🤠. I hope you read this comment, because I really Iike your style and open heart to Country Music. But ... first thing , you need to get the titles right. You wrote "MaMa I Tried" .. nope .. it is "MaMa Tried". Next .. even though many of Merle's songs are pictures of his own life , many are stories that he creates in his mind. This is the magic of Country Music , great song writers can tell the story of someone they meet , or just imagine. Merle is the best , the absolute best.. please react to more of his music. Try "Silver Wings" or "If We Make It Through December" . And many more 🦋🦋🦋🦋
He had many hits. Probably his biggest was Okie from Muskogee. As for his sentence, it wasn't any one thing, more of a repeat offender situation. Great reaction to a country icon.
Merle had 38 #1 hits and countless top tens.
Merle didn't stop being criminal....in the late 60's he took a look around saw on one side people protesting the Vietnam War and on the other side people supporting it. He decided two write 2 songs to align with the latter. Years later, many many...he'd joke it's not often that he's found in Muskogee. He and George Jones would out party most rock stars. He wrote the songs to cash in and it worked. Okie From Muskogee and Fightin Side of Me. If you like him in his elevator shoes you might also enjoy those two songs as well.
many years ago when cars came with cassette players i bought what was probably a 'greatest hits' tape just to get, i think, 'okie from muskogee', but i absolutely fell in love with every single song on there. when i no longer had any tape players (home, car, or as part of a radio/record player set-up) i finally got rid of all my tapes. even today, though, i can look at the comments here and think 'yep, that song was on my tape', 'yep, that one, too', 'yep', and so on lol. i've never been a huge country fan, but there have always been certain singers or groups - kenny rogers started out in a folk group and then as rock and roll as the lead in the first edition (you GOTTA try 'just dropped in to see what condition my condition is in'!!!), and that's where i fell in love with him - that i liked even before they turned country. nitty gritty dirt band played on rock stations before country. there were others like that, too, as well as the country singers - dolly parton for one - that had cross-over hits on rock stations. those have always been more my type, but merle haggard's one of the few really country singers of the 60's or early 70's that i really like.
The funny thing is that I've been a major Merle fan from when I was a kid in the 70's, and what's even funnier is that I spent a good time of my younger years around Redding, California, where Merle lived in nearby Palo Cedro. My mom ran into him quite a few times at the Oak Grove Club in Redding, and even the K-Mart on Hilltop Drive. I even worked at Bernie's Guitar in Redding, where Merle was a friend of the owner. Back in 2016, I knew Merle was at Mercy Medical Center, and I only wish I could have told him how much his music meant to me! RIP Merle!
Yes, so happy you did some Merle! He’s my all time favorite country singer. Merle did do some time but it was mostly juvenile type stuff as a minor and maybe a little as an adult but that’s when he turned it around. So some of his songs deal with inherent, systemic problems in the system but at same time he always takes responsibility in his songs and never blame shifts. Merle was known for going to prison on release day and hiring guys that had no one and no where to go, I always thought that was very honorable and decent of him. My late wife had never listened to country so I introduced her to it and she was crying to some of Merle’s songs like ‘sing me back home’ a song about being on death row…Merle was of my mom and dads generation and he reminds me of them. To this day I can’t listen to ‘Poncho and Lefty’ without crying.. lol you should react to that song, it’s a duet with Willie Nelson. Epic western song! Hope you don’t mind my long comments, I’ve always got a lot to say lol. So take care my beautiful Britt! You are what fantasies are made of. You are what gives men inspiration to achieve greatness in order to garner even a little of your attention…. Til next time. Matt
Okie from Muskogee is another good one as well. Thanks!
In 1969 Johnny Cash performed free at San Quentin prison. It is released as an albumn called AT SAN QUENTIN. Merle Haggard was a prisoner in the audience. He credited that concert for changing his life. When he got released he pursued a music career and we are all glad he did.
Now I know that you were raised in the south! TY for this song -and I'm a Californian! But my dad was from Kentucky and my mom was from Tennessee.
Merle = great singer ,great song writer. Thanks Merle RIP.
Merle Haggard, George Strait, Alan Jackson and George Jones. That's your Country Music Mt. Rushmore right there!
Check out some Hank Williams Jr. Great stories in his songs. One of my favorite country singers. And the man fell hundreds of feet off a mountain and lived to tell about it.
1972 the California Governor Ronald Reagan officially pardoned Merle Ronald Haggard for all past crimes. Later Mr. Reagan became president of the US and Merle became king of country music! Great reaction!
Merle...."The Workin' Man's Poet"....he and Buck Owens developed the "Bakersfield Sound" in the 1960's as a response and contrast to the "Nashville Sound" of that same era....
True story. Love Merle ..
The one big thing about country music is it's real we all have a story if it's Meral or Jonny and even Home Free these people have a story to tell. Fantastic reaction kid
Haggard is a legend . So many young stars try to copy or was influenced by his style. They call it Bakersville style .
a legend !! "the way i am " is a must hear
When you said, "this is me"... I couldn't wait to see your reaction to the next line... lol
Merle rhymes with Earl. A country legend. RIP Hag.
Your an angel cause you thought you were bad for a second lol
Yea I thumbs my shit up say something nice about it
Merle!!! Yes yes yes.
My beautiful momma raised two sons, both hellbent on being roughnecks. We both play music and have performed professionally. Both been to prison. But love our momma. She's 74 now and I take care of her. She has stage 4 bone cancer, Multiple Myeloma and complete renal failure. God bless momma, she did try.
You finally found my favorite singer. Congrats!
I am this person in everyone's family. Life in Kentucky was only 7 years and 21 days.
This song was a huge hit for Merle Haggard and is loosely based on his early life experience. Merle actually did turn 21 in prison although not for life. It seems Merle and a friend of his nicknamed Rabbit tried to rob a bar and got caught. While they were in San Quentan Rabbit escaped and killed a cop before he was recaptured. Rabbit was executed shortly after that (no long appeal process back then) and this was a real wake-up call for Merle. He decided he was going to straighten up started getting into music. A few years after he was released from prison, he became a big country music star and "Mama Tried" was one of his big hits.
Ballads are what you like, silver wings is my favorite haggard tune
Merle Haggard is one of my favorite Country music male vocalists, from back when Country music was still "real" Country. He has an extensive body of work, so many great songs. Something I'll share that you might find useful... back in the day, we almost always heard an artist's new release on the radio first. These were studio versions. We heard these studio versions over and over, and if we had to have our own personal copy we bought the records, 8-track, or cassette, which was also the studio version. Later, we might see the artist do a live performance on a TV show, and we loved these because we were able to see a fresh, slightly different performance of a song we already knew and loved. It's good to follow that same sequence for reaction videos, too. I've heard a ton of live performances in all genres, where the live version seriously sucked compared to the studio version. It's not a good first impression. Coming in blind is like Gump's box of chocolates. That said, some live performances are exceptional, like the Pink Floyd Pulse concert, for example. But a polished studio version is still a great starting point for comparison, for better or worse. Thanks for visiting Merle Haggard, today. Excellent pick, excellent reaction. :)
Another Icon!
I don't think Merle ever had a life sentence though he was in prison. When he got out he was able to turn his life around. If you aren't familiar with him, he's one of the best not only singers but songwriters ever in country music. This song proves it with both his smooth delivery as well as the lyrics he wrote.
David Allen Coe wrote this song
@@kennethroe5376 except that he didn't, Merle wrote it. It's real easy to look up stuff like that with this new thing they have called "Google".
He was in prison because he ran over a squirrel and didn't report the murder to authorities.
Merle could certainly sing. I like Okie From Muskogee.
Merle was the best country singer/songwriter of all time, IMHO. The Poet of the People.
Merle was in prison at 21 but not with a life sentence. He was sent to San Quentin for burglary and for breaking out of other jails. While in SQ he saw the error of his ways and decided to straighten up and make music his career.
I always put this song on my Ma's facebook page on Mothers Day haha
Thank you,❤
If we make it through December is another grood Merle Haggard song
Fun fact. Merle haggard was an inmate in San Quentin when Johnny Cash performed there
Merle Haggard did petty crimes and escaped jail 5 times, thus the judge decided to sentenced him to serve 15 years in California's most notorious maximum security prison in San Quentin. He saw Johnny Cash perform there in 1960. He was scared straight after serving 2½ years, and got out on good behavior. He eventually got pardoned for his past convictions by California Governor Ronald Reagan on March 14th, 1972.
Merle said the day he was pardoned was the second most significant day of his life. The first most significant day of his life was the day his dad passed, when he was just 9 years old.. Which Merle references in this song - "Dear ol' daddy, rest his soul, left my mom a heavy load. She tried so very hard to fill his shoes".
Merle Haggard really did go to Folsom Prison and I could be wrong but he supposedly was at Folsom prison when Johnny Cash played for them
My song. Jail at 17. Shot at 27 mom always worried.
Now I'm 59 lost my oldest in 2017 to opioids. He was 23.
Crazy life.
Merle(The Hag) spent a lot of time in prison/s. He was a known escape artist. That’s how he wound up at Folsom.
Merle (rhymes with Curl lol) Is my absolute #1 favorite country singer of all time. You won't find a bad Merle song. Also if you like those old story songs check out Saginaw, Michigan by Lefty Frizzell
Merle's song that gets me every time is Daddy Frank the guitar man.
Jazz legend Charlie Parker "Bird" when asked why he listened to country music said, it's the stories
I keep meaning to tell you I love your hair natural!
Oh thank you!
A good song is a well -constructed story, a movie in your mind, you don't need a video. That last twang is a Haggard trademark.
Girl, you need more Merle in your life! Go back and refresh yourself with “Sing Me Back Home”
Just catching up with your reactions Britt. I think I am love with you. LOL.
Great artist - Bob Dylan (among many others) is a big fan. Try Merle’s “Big City” and “Sing Me Back Home.” Simple songs, perfect phrasing, and they say so much.
That's country music, three chords and the truth.
Merle was a great impersonator doing Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, and more!
Country music is known for its story songs. Here's one.
A good one from Merle is Okie from Muskogee
Check out Merle's "Hungry Eyes" and "Silver Wings".
I still can't believe you never reacted to Cab Callaway and Nicholas Brothers "Jumping Jive". Many consider it the greatest tap dancing ever. Plus Cab Callaway singing!! Come On!!
independent thinkers "black sheep" can take you anywhere. it is strange how 5 kids grow up in the same household and turn out so differently. maybe its choices or circumstances. who knows. you have a beautiful smile. keep going lady and pull us along your journey. have a blessed day.
He's the pride of Bakersfield California
He sings ,Grandma Harp ,born in Newton County down in ARKANSAS...I wonder if she was kin the Harp's grocery stores chain ...
That was the #1 country song of 1967. As for what he did to end up with a life sentence, back then it could've been just getting caught with more than an ounce of weed. I may be wrong, but I believe there are some people still serving time from 40-50 years ago for possession of marijuana.
Its a joy to watch you 👍😎
Turning a great phrase: "..but her pleading I denied."
Oh Hun You should dig in his Songbook and check out his hits! If that man ever sang a bad song, I never heard it! I bet it is long as your arm. He has some of the greatest country hits EVER! Ky. Gambler. Turn me loose ,set me free! He is one of the greatest Ever!
Merall and Johnny Cash both entertained in a few prisons. So they both wrote a few song themed around such inmates or life.
Merle, along with Waylon Jennings and Buck Owens, developed the “Bakersfield” sound of country music. Dwight Yoakam looked up to Buck and covered several of his songs, including “Streets of Bakersfield”. Since I know how you like the stories that country songs tell, look up Dwight Yoakam “Streets of Bakersfield” Live from Austin, TX. It features Buck singing with Dwight.
He did several petty crimes, but the last one he did that I just read about was he and a friend drunkenly entered the back of a restaurant, planning to scrounge up some money for his family. They attempted to jimmy open the back door, but they found that it was already unlocked. When they entered, they found that the restaurant was still open and had workers and patrons inside. They were chased out of the front door by the owner, and they jumped in their car and took off down the street.
At the first stop sign, a highway patrolman pulled them over. Fearing they were headed to jail, Merle jumped out of the car and ran to a train depot so that he could jump on a train and escape town. But there were no trains there because it was Christmas Eve.. The local depot deputy apprehended and arrested Merle.
On Christmas the next day, Merle was awaiting arraignment in the Bakersfield jail. Merle waited for the right moment, and literally walked right out the front door of the jail. This was his 5th escape from jail. He was caught later when he was headed to his older brothers house, by cops hiding in the weeds.. And because of his multiple petty crimes and multiple escapes, the Judge sentenced him to serve 15 years in the notorious San Quentin Maximum Security Prison. He served 2½ years and got out on good behavior.