American Songwriter

On This Day in 1971, a Song About a Blind Dad and His Homeless Family Band Took Merle Haggard to the Top of the Country Charts for a 10th Time

Outlaw country legend Merle Haggard scored the 10th No. 1 hit of his career on Nov. 29, 1971, with "Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man.)" ...
American Songwriter

Country Time Machine: Merle Haggard Does a Spot-On Johnny Cash Impression During a Duet with His Wife

Watch Merle Haggard and his then-wife, Bonnie Owens, step into the roles of Johnny Cash and June Carter for an iconic duet.

Chords and voices from youth still resonate decades later | Opinion

I miss my piano. For decades, a 1944 baby grand piano sat gloriously in the corner of my living room, and now that spot is ...
Whiskey Riff

Benjamin Tod Is Recording A Classic Country Covers Album Featuring Songs By Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard & More

Some new, old music is on the way from Benjamin Tod. The “Using Again” singer joined the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to talk about his faith, staying grounded while country keeps changing, doing his ...
Far Out Magazine

The classic Willie Nelson song that was meant for Merle Haggard: “We’ll never know”

A key figure of outlaw country, Willie Nelson was never one for surface-level pleasantries. That was also one of the reasons that outlaw country started to flourish in the first place. Unlike the ...
Far Out Magazine

The modern country song that turned Merle Haggard mad: “I fucking hate that song”

The over-polished whims of the Nashville sound were no match for outlaw country legends like Merle Haggard. Haggard, along with several other rebellious shadows – Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and ...