Merle’s struggles as an ex-convict are found in his songs: Lonesome Fugitive Branded Man Momma Tried

@katkat-fm3wj

6 ай бұрын

Great songs.

He was actually in prison when Johnny Cash did his concert at the prison . He decided right there what he wanted to do when he got out of prison . My momma loves Merle and my daddy use to play and looks a lot like him lol great memories growing up to his music .

@tonyfro23

2 жыл бұрын

Nobody believes that because we are all so cynical...ITS not Folsom Prison Blues famous one BUT Johnny did that shit for over a decade cause he knew real life just like Merle (AND yes Merle did turn 21 in prison)...what are odds these mofos met each other in jail and damn the fucking MAN Johnny Cash helped get his mind right just singing at San Quentin in 1958 or whatever I think that was it

@mrtoad8585

2 жыл бұрын

That’s not fully correct Johnny Cash played a part in merle haggard rehabilitation but so did Carol Jasmine and so did an inmate named rabbit Merle haggard himself said that he was in solitary confinement in the sale next to Carol chessman the day they told Chessman He was going to die and Chessman told him if he didn’t straighten up he would end up in the same position

@claudiapatterson3776

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I heard Merle Haggard was an inmate there at that time. He just couldn’t keep a job or do right, do any other work. He was meant to be Merle Haggard as we’ve known him to be. Had an uncle that looked very much like Merle Haggard in the 70’s and 80’s. He was mistaken for Mr. Haggard a few times 😂

@dross2172

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah. He was a friend to Caryle Chessman, (not sure of the spelling) so he was perfectly aware of the death penalty and not just singing some words that sounded nice strung together.

@mikeyates7931

8 ай бұрын

For a split second I misread this and thought you said your mom looked like , Merle Haggard 😂

As a teen, I used to make fun of my dad listening to Merle Haggard as kids do to their parents music but it wasnt until I grew up that I figured out what I was missing. I am now a BIG merle Haggard fan!

@Tuesdays_Gone

2 жыл бұрын

Me too. I was a metal head. My loss, missing out on this genre.

Great analogy, this is EXACTLY what southern gospel sounds like Merle Haggard is definitely one of country music’s legends

You're tappin into the good stuff now. Listen to "Mamma Tried"

@celinelovell4725

2 жыл бұрын

Silver Wings too

@danocon92

2 жыл бұрын

Branded man

@roadtoserfdom3020

2 жыл бұрын

Branded man and mama tried for sure

@janethunter8741

10 ай бұрын

Mama's Hungry Eyes

Merle was in prison when Johnny Cash came and sang for the inmates. Merle watched and decided that was what he wanted to do also.

Merle Haggard is one of the few singer/songwriters that sang of his life and sang songs that, even if you didn’t live it, you could identify with his struggles

Merle's voice was so strong even in his older years. You should check out Are The Good Times Really Over by him about the state of America and hanging on to hope. On that song, he shows you how deep he could truly go vocally.

The working man's poet. All of his songs are gold, brother. Merle Haggard is royalty in the country genre. Great reaction.

He is truly a legend! He was my dad's favorite artist. My dad, who was also a professional musician, died the day after Merle. While our family was heartbroken by the loss of these 2 men in our lives, we knew Heaven's Angel band had just gotten even better.

@oldermusiclover

2 жыл бұрын

I'm soo sorry ;lost mine years ago and I promise it will get better

Merle Haggard is one of the legendary stars of country music. Some other songs you might want to hear from him are Mama Tried, Daddy Frank (the Guitar Man), Old Man From the Mountain, The Bottle Let Me Down, Fighting Side of Me, Okie From Muskogee, and It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad).

@devonstewart6100

2 жыл бұрын

Great list, Merle was always a interesting person to me. also offered a bit of a different perspective on life than most. In addition to your list, I'd have to recommend "are the good times over?", silver ghost, son of hickery hollars tramp, and worken man blues.

@charliecundiff

2 жыл бұрын

Swanging door!

@rachelvosburg2292

2 жыл бұрын

Merle Haggard got in trouble when he was young and received a pardon and said he was going to sing when he got out, and he sung until he died

@rachelvosburg2292

2 жыл бұрын

Go listen to Long black limousine

@claudiapatterson3776

2 жыл бұрын

Right or Wrong!!!!!!! The whole tribute “The best damn fiddle player in the world” album was one of his best albums. Silver wings, I always fall off a mountain when I fall, Mama Tried, It’s been a great afternoon, Don’t you ever get tired, There ain’t no good chain gang, The immigrant song, omgosh 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Haggard is one of the og'$

he wasn't just huge he was an Icon. Merle Wrote all his own songs.

Listen to Merle Haggard sing “ Are the Good Times Really Over For Good?” You won’t be disappointed, Van. Merle was “Top Shelf!”👌❤️👍

As far as I am concerned Merle Haggard is the all time goat of Country Music....never bested and never equaled.

@tomhansen4576

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

That sound is what we always called Gospel or Southern Gospel. It's why I love classic country so much. That sound is in a whole lot of their songs, because they would all go to church and get that influence and transfer it to their own music even though it wasn't necessarily ''church music".

Van, so glad to see you back and Thank You for reacting to “The Hag”! You’d dig all his music. Songwriter of Real Life! RIP HAG!

@karenenderle532

2 жыл бұрын

Texas Magnolia, I love your name. I am Texas gal too,,,,and a huge Haggard fan, thanks for pointing out the other songs and I agree with Songwriter of Real Life....very true!

Hit a lot harder when I found out his friend was executed. Willies song he won’t ever be gone is a great tribute

"The Way I Am" is a very pretty sounding song. Merle is just too deep, seriously. He's one of my all time favorites and is synonymous with country music.

@jannaromine5908

2 жыл бұрын

Me too 💞 (and I'm not a country music fan) There's just a few of them who stand out and can't be forgotten...love Merle Haggard

The last song he recorded before he died was with Willie Nelson called It's All Going to Pot. Great song!

@karenenderle532

2 жыл бұрын

actually wasn't the last song he recorded, but it was off of the last album he and willie made together....it's a novice song, but would not put that in either willie's or merle's work of songs that stood out.

@jewls9697

2 жыл бұрын

@@karenenderle532 Thank you for correcting me! I agree, it's not a song that showcases their enormous talent! But, like when the reactors do live country nights & want it to be light & fun, that is a perfect song to show Country Music is more than just crying in your beer songs! I love those songs too! Thanks again & have a blessed Thanksgiving!!

Thank you for reacting to Merle! My dad was a country singer, and part of his stage show was a Merle Haggard tribute. He sounded just like Merle, and I miss hearing his voice.

He was always as good in the recording studio or at a live performance. He was considered a living legend until his recent death. He just did himself, with no excuses. I am a big fan, always

Merle Haggard is the working man's poet! There are SO MANY tunes down the Hag's rabbit hole!

We had this on 8 track back in the early 70's and it played over and over on a 4,000 mile car trip.

Merle was one of the all time greats. He was a man who meant the words he sang.

@jasongCLJ

Жыл бұрын

ThaTs right ⌛✝️🌫️

You should here him sing this when he was younger. He has great music. He has always been one of my all time favorites. Ramblin fever, footlights, my favorite memory of all, back to the bar room, today I started loving you again, are the good times really over for good ,and all of the others everyone else has said. He is a legend and my idol since I was a kid

When Merle Haggard died, I literally felt a loss, like I knew the guy! lol I never realized how deeply my memories over the years were tied to his voice. I get flashbacks when I hear his voice to this day.

This all took place while Merle was serving time in San Quinton for armed Robery... this song is a true story...

I can't imagine anyone not loving Merle, the Pearl, Haggard. Give a listen to Swinging Doors.

Definitely check out “mama tried “ and “I think I’ll just stay here and drink “. The latter is my personal favorite, but both great songs.

Thank you for showcasing a great song and a great singer. It is so encouraging to see young people appreciating a great music . Thank you

That’s where country music came from was church and gospel music You know country music is really just about people’s life Merle Haggard could make you go to the place that he was singing about in your mind and paint a picture in you mind Great artist

Merle Haggard was one of the greatest country story tellers of all times, he had hit after hit i can listen to him all night long....

I loved " Silver Wings " by Merle.

Merle Haggard has so many songs and in my opinion he's the goat! Dig deep he will change your perspective on life!

Merle was the greatest. Listen to the young Merle, and be blown away!

That's me. I was Baptized in a glass tank in a church in Mississippi. Praise Jesus.🙏

He was an amazing talent, voice, intrumenal, writing, impersonations, and so much more.❤🙏

Merle is one of those few that held his voice pretty well to the end. That said, might I recommend "Blue Angel" by Roy Orbison especially from his Black and White Night performance.

An American Anthem is "The Okie form Muskogee" and "Fighting Side of Me" My favorite of his is "Carolyn" or "Kern River"

mama tried the fugitive branded man in the good old days (when times were bad) Essentials of his worth checking out

Merle haggard is a legend!! Always will be a legend!

Even at his age he can still Sing, one of my favorite songs.

In addition to his voice, he’s also a top shelf soulful tasteful guitarist❣️

In his youth Merle had a flawless and smooth voice. Maybe the best country music singer I've heard and I've been a country music fan my whole life.

Merle's another one of the true legends of country music and has always been one of my favorites. Sad most of them are gone now. RIP TO THEM ALL.

I grew up with these dudes country is in my blood, merle was the best, his voice. I know all the words to his songs. heart strings. and all those great singers up there with him wow. thanks Van.

I been listening to his music since the mid 80s he's my favorite of all time

This is a true story Merle, knew the guy on death row sad thing in life for sure, ONE OF THE GREATS OF IN COUNTRY MUSIC, RIP MERLE!!

Some of my favorite Merle Haggard songs are: Mama Tried, Hungry Eyes, Silver Wings (I prefer the duet with Jewell), That’s The Way Love Goes w/Jewell, Rainbow Stew, Rambling Fever, Red Bandana, Misery And Gin, Big City, Pancho And Lefty w/Willie Nelson, The Way I Am, I’m Always On A Mountain When I Fall, It’s Been a Great Afternoon, I Wear My Own Kind Of Hat and so many more! This man has so many great songs out! My dad had a couple Merle Haggard cassette tapes in his truck and we would listen to Merle and other Country greats on road trips! Keep listening to Merle Haggard and other great Country artists!

Fighting side of me is Spectacular! Must watch!

Thank you LFR for appreciating one of Country music's legends. Much respect!

I have watched and loved Merle Haggard all of my life and he never disappointed. I can tell by your reaction that your first time that you are hearing him,that you are not disappointed. RIP

That harmony is Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Another great listen. I love them. Old style texas dance band. Grew up seeing them. A lot of fun and super talented.

EX Southern Baptist here... gave you a thumbs up for appreciation of good ol country Merle.

Merle Haggard is country gold. He has so many great songs to explore. Mamma Tried Today I Started Loving You Again Fightin' Side of Me Ramblin' Fever That's the Way Love Goes Working Man's Blues Poncho & Lefty (Duet with Willie Nelson) The list is endless

Hag covered a Lefty Frizzel song call That’s The Way Love Goes and won a Grammy for it. Lefty was a hero and major influence of his. It’s a beautiful song.Years later he did the song as a duet with Jewel, which is quite good as well. I grew up hearing Hag and loving his music. Even when when I was into hip hop (the good stuff from the 89’s and early 90’s) and hardcore punk, there were a handful of old school country artist that I still thought were cool,( Waylon, Willie, Coe, Cash) and old Hag was one of them. He wrote and covered and recorded a huge number of songs and is one of the greats. He’s got an honesty to his sound that to me, always seemed to be tinged with s bit of sadness. He’s definitely someone worthwhile for you to look further into.

in this video, there is a lot of legends, singing and playing with him.

Johnny Cash discovered Merle when Merle was in prison. The Hag was always my favorite. He made that song long before he was straightened up ❤️

Can't believe it took 2 years to see this, Van. He's definitely one of the old-school, great outlaws. As always, peace my friend!

I cry every time I hear this song. 😭

Listen to his original when he was young. Listen to all of his songs. He's one of the greatest.

The band he was playing with was Asleep At The Wheel, great Western Swing music.

He is a icon...you should listen to him in his younger years...awesome

merle is good country, has many years of good music

MY DAD LOVED MERLE SO WE GREW UP ON HIM .HE WAS TRULY A PART OF OUR SUNDAY BRUNCHES..HE WAS A MASTER WITH WORDS, AMD HIS VOICE OMG WAS HEAVEN SENT. SILVER WINGS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES...

You have found the honey.hole of country. Listen to My Favorite Memory of All. ❤😊

Even in his older age, his voice is still clear and pretty strong. I can tell a slight difference from his youth, but he simply is wonderful. He was one of the few Country artists that I would listen to as a child. Haggard spent some time in jail, maybe prison, when he was young.

Merle haggard was my inspiration for me playing guitar and singing country music

My band had the privilege of opening up for Merle about a year before he passed away. He was definitely a legend of country music and his voice somehow got better the older he got. He may have calmed down later in his life but he was a hell raiser in his youth and he was doing time in San Quinton prison where he attended a Johnny Cash concert at the prison and that inspired him to xstraighten up, start singing, and playing guitar which he's also great at, and the rest was history. RIP Merle.

First time watching you and I thoroughly enjoyed your comments! Merle was one of the best! He wrote almost all of the songs he sang. Try listening to Vince Gill singing “A World Without Haggard” and you’ll get a feel for what other country artists thought of him. He was amazing in many ways!

All Merle 's songs have a recognizable tone, you'll know the song when you hear it.

I was lucky enough to get to see/hear him sing and play live in a field in north central Arkansas with my wife. He was all that and then some.

Want a song to make you cry? Today, I started loving you again by Mr. Haggard. This man is amazing 👏

Absolutely one of the greats.

No his voice never failed him until the day he left this earth

Misery and Gin, California Cottonfields, Footlights, Red Bandana, and In my next life are a few of my favorites.

Merle served in San Quentin and was pardoned by President Reagan he was in the front row when Johnny Cash Performed at the prison as Johnny was a prisoner there at in time! Listen to his youngest son Ben! Awesome! Thank you! 🙏🎶🫶🇺🇸🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏

LEGENDARY MAN The way I am and silver wings

Country music is best when it hits you right in the feels. And this piece definitely does that.

Merle wrote this song about an experience he had when he was a prisoner at San Quentin when he was a young man

@johnlawless2555

Ай бұрын

yes the guy was executed for the murder of a Chicago Police officer

I remember listening to this song on 8 track tape in the back seat of my moms camaro as she was cruising around town back in the 70's when the music was still brand new. Not just this song. The whole 8 track tape over and over. And im still not tired of it, i love it. Some of this stuff is deeply woven into the soundtrack of my life.

Merle haggard, the greatest loss to Country music ever. R.I.P. Merle.

His voice is honey. He was a great song writer, story teller. His song, “Mama Tried” will tell you a lot about him. I’ll look for a few links to other Merle tunes you really gotta hear. Brings tears to my eyes to hear that voice. Gone too soon.

RIP Merle, love ya.

He’s a legend. I’ve heard this song many times but never a live version, wow he did a beautiful job. Check out “mama tried“ and “tonight the bottle let me down,“ both really really good.

He lived the songs he wrote,he is a treasure

Twinkle twinkle lucky star by Merle Haggard is really great too. One of my favs

My Husband Had A Country Band For Almost 30 Years & "Merle Haggard" Was His Favorite Singer & Merle Wrote Every Song He Sang To The Best Of My Knowledge! When "Merle" Was Very Young, He & His Mom Were Poor & Lived In A "Box Car", He Got Into Alot Of Small Trouble & Was Put In "San Quenton State Prison" As A Very Young Man, & :Johnny Cash" Played At The Prison While He Was There, & Knew That Was The Life He Wanted, & By The Grace Of God When He Got Released, He Started Playing & Singing, & God Opened Up The Flood Gates On This Mans Talent! I Love To Hear My Husband Sing His Songs & One Of My Favorite Is "Silver Wings", "Swinging Doors", "Branded Man", Today I Started Lovin You Again"! He Had 4 Sons, His Youngest "Ben Haggard" Played & Sung On Stage With His Dad & He Could Sing Good, Along With "Marty Haggard" Sung Every Now & Then. Merle Died Alittte Over 3 Years Ago, & He Is Dearly Missed! Great Reaction Dear, More "Black" Americans Need Some Great "Music" In Their Lives, I Don't Like The Rap, Exspecialy The Bad Language, But We "Wjite" Americans Loved The Old Songs They Use To Sing! "Marvin Gay", & Many Others!! Yes, Merle Haggard Was A Saved Man, & We All Need To Be Saved, Our "God" Made Us, & He Made (Everything) We Have! I Can Tell You Have A Good Voice, Use It, God Gave You That Talent, We Are All Blessed With 3, Find Out What He Has Layed Upon You! There Are Only 2 Things In This World, "Good" & "Evil", "God" & Satan", & "Heaven" & "Hell"! I Pray You Have Gotten Saved & Made Yourself Right With God, We Are Just Passing Through This Life, But Make It Count, Cause A Saved Soul Is A "Content Soul" & Knows Right From Wrong! We Are All Sinners, & Come Short Of The Glory Of God, But That's Why "Jesus" Died On That Old Rugged Cross, That We May Know Him, & Through Forgiveness Of Our Sins, We Will Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven, No One Enters Heaven, Except Through God's Son "Jesus Christ"! A Better Life Is A "Saved Sinners Life", By The Young Faith The Size Of A Mustard Seed, We Will Grow! God Has Given Us His Holy Spirit, Until We Leave This Old Sinful World!!

Merle was locked up in San Quinten prison when Jonny Cash performed there. When Merle became a free man he started a music career. He always wrote songs about convicts and how they deserve their dignity once their time is served. Good stuff Van!

I believe that song was originally recorded in the late 50’s. Merle’s was straight up OG.

Bakersfield holds a special if not always good memory for me because I spent four months in the county jail there on drunk driving charges, good old Merle Haggard and Buck Owens country. The song “Streets of Bakersfield” with Buck Owens and Dwight Yoakam had just come out and sometimes they piped music into the cell blocks, whenever that one came on the whole jail was whooping up and down, haha!😊

I don't know this young man's name or anything about him, but I appreciate the respect he gives to Merle Haggard. I hope he was impressed enough to find more songs and listen to this remarkable singer. Respect to you too young man! :)

Amazing artist!!!!..... and was himself incarcerated much in his youth. So he can totally relate!!..... ALOT of awesome music.....I see plenty in the comments, and they're all great!!❤❤

One of my favorite Haggard songs.

Absolutely... this falls in with southern gospel! I come from a small country town and I'm southern Baptist...we accept everyone, relaxed environment and you'd hear songs like this sang during many of the services. There's lots of Gospel songs that originated as Country/Bluegrass music. Check out Hank Williams Sr. - "I Saw The Light" & Kris Kristofferson - "Why Me Lord" in one of the videos he tells the story of how he wrote the song before he sings it.

Pure Legend 🙌🏼 he has so many amazing songs.

You are listening to a legend. I've seem him many times in concert. One of my husbands favorite singers. Listen to some of his other songs, it's worth your time.

We call him "uncle Merle" in our house...he's family....he sings our life.

It's a voice you can't forget. No wonder the Statlers said " put a cry in your voice like Haggard" .