Merle Haggard was one of country music's most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the notorious San Quintin Prison was due to how many times he escaped from smaller facilities and local jails. It's been said that he escaped 17 times. There are many astonishing numbers and statistics that accompany the legacy of the legendary Merle Haggard. There are his 38 no. 1 hits, there are the 66 studio albums recorded and the millions of records sold. But the one Merle Haggard statistic that perhaps intrigues people the most is that before his music career took off, he had escaped from jail an incredible 17 times. And while he was an inmate there, he saw Johnny cash perform one of his famous prison concerts. Merle Haggard was 20 yrs. old and after seeing Johnny perform that helped set Merle Haggard on a path toward becoming a music legend. He and Johnny were life-long friends from that time onward. So yes...the song was about his own life, in a sense. I'm sorry to hear that about your father and brother, and I'm sure your mother felt very blessed to have had you. Enjoyed your honest reaction, thanks for sharing.
Merle was pardoned by the Governor, I believe, which is how he got out. Merle’s song writing skills and that VOICE will draw you in. Check out another true story song from Merle called “Kern River.”
It’s my understanding that Merle Haggard was in prison when the legendary Johnny Cash did a concert at San Quinten prison . He decided then that he wanted to be a country singer. Great reaction!!
I love old country and bluegrass. My dad was a big Merle haggard fan. Merle actually did go to prison as a young man so that was the influence for this song. 💜
This is his life somewhat, his dad did die when he was very young so his mom did raise him .he was in Folsom prison at one point then Johnny cash came there to do a show and somehow they met and Merle got a pardon
Nothing about the music, though. Yeah, this was largely autobiographical - Merle lost his father young, acted out, did prison time. He was tellin' on himself. Luckily, he lived in an era when they didn't lock you up and throw away the key, got a chance to start a great new life. Peace !
As I recall it, he actually did turn 21 in prison, but his sentence was much shorter. The thought of having a life sentence and how it would have made him fee is what inspired the song.
Came to the comments to make sure someone told the story of how he heard Johnny Cash in a prison concert and it changed his life. I see they did. It is disappointing these days that those who find themselves in similar situations these days try to blame everyone and everything but themselves. Country Music has ALWAYS placed the blame right where it belongs, on the person who did the crime. Where it belongs. My husband did a total of 17 years in maximum security prison. He never told me that it was anyone else's fault but his own. He also told me numerous times that going to prison saved his life, if only it wasn't for so long. So I support criminal justice reform, but I don't think the way it is happening today is the right way to do it. NOT sending people to prison (for shorter periods) is missing a chance to intervene and save a life. If we could just get our act together and do better when we have them locked up.
Na big dog this one is about him while serving a think like a 5-10 for armed robbery he tried to escape with another prisoner in the end a officer was killed he was captured and his friend got away so he was sentenced to life bc of the death of the officer then he became famous in prison and in 72 I think it was governor Reagan future president Reagan pardoned him of all crimes well bc he became famous 😂
A song brimming with maturity and personal responsibility. Not complaining about his plight. Expressing gratitude for his mother. Admitting his fault.
Merle Haggard was one of country music's most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the notorious San Quintin Prison was due to how many times he escaped from smaller facilities and local jails. It's been said that he escaped 17 times. There are many astonishing numbers and statistics that accompany the legacy of the legendary Merle Haggard. There are his 38 no. 1 hits, there are the 66 studio albums recorded and the millions of records sold. But the one Merle Haggard statistic that perhaps intrigues people the most is that before his music career took off, he had escaped from jail an incredible 17 times. And while he was an inmate there, he saw Johnny cash perform one of his famous prison concerts. Merle Haggard was 20 yrs. old and after seeing Johnny perform that helped set Merle Haggard on a path toward becoming a music legend. He and Johnny were life-long friends from that time onward. So yes...the song was about his own life, in a sense. I'm sorry to hear that about your father and brother, and I'm sure your mother felt very blessed to have had you. Enjoyed your honest reaction, thanks for sharing.
Merle was pardoned by the Governor, I believe, which is how he got out. Merle’s song writing skills and that VOICE will draw you in. Check out another true story song from Merle called “Kern River.”
That governor was Ronald Reagan.
It’s my understanding that Merle Haggard was in prison when the legendary Johnny Cash did a concert at San Quinten prison . He decided then that he wanted to be a country singer. Great reaction!!
“Sing me back home” is about a man on death row asking for a song before he dies.
I love old country and bluegrass. My dad was a big Merle haggard fan. Merle actually did go to prison as a young man so that was the influence for this song. 💜
Yeah, Merle did time at San Quentin. He saw Johnny Cash perform and promised himself that he’d do what Cash did.
Kris Kristofferson called Merle the most successfully reformed prisoner in American history - no one came so far
He really was in San Quinton.
I'm so glad you got the depth of it ❤ God bless
Respect to ya. I like what you had to say before an after the song. That ol school country does paint a picture.
I don't bump country but this one always hits different
My all time favorite Country ARTIST.
Thank you for sharing your heart and a little vulnerability. Takes a strong man to do so. I had a good time.
This is his life somewhat, his dad did die when he was very young so his mom did raise him .he was in Folsom prison at one point then Johnny cash came there to do a show and somehow they met and Merle got a pardon
It was based on himself.
Nothing about the music, though. Yeah, this was largely autobiographical - Merle lost his father young, acted out, did prison time. He was tellin' on himself. Luckily, he lived in an era when they didn't lock you up and throw away the key, got a chance to start a great new life. Peace !
As I recall it, he actually did turn 21 in prison, but his sentence was much shorter. The thought of having a life sentence and how it would have made him fee is what inspired the song.
Love the reaction!
Great reaction brother.
The perfect reaction to this song. He was an amazing songwriter
The chicken in black next please… the song speaks on so many levels
This is definitely autobiographical! Love Merle.
He went to prison for robbery. He wrote a song while there “sing me back home” it’s one you should for sure check out
I feelin ya dawg
I’m a new subscriber and can’t wait to see your reactions to the music I grew up with ❤️☮️👵🏼
In the early 70s President Ronald Reagan pardoned him of all past crimes
In real life he turned twenty-one in prison doing eight to fifteen.
Came to the comments to make sure someone told the story of how he heard Johnny Cash in a prison concert and it changed his life. I see they did. It is disappointing these days that those who find themselves in similar situations these days try to blame everyone and everything but themselves. Country Music has ALWAYS placed the blame right where it belongs, on the person who did the crime. Where it belongs. My husband did a total of 17 years in maximum security prison. He never told me that it was anyone else's fault but his own. He also told me numerous times that going to prison saved his life, if only it wasn't for so long. So I support criminal justice reform, but I don't think the way it is happening today is the right way to do it. NOT sending people to prison (for shorter periods) is missing a chance to intervene and save a life. If we could just get our act together and do better when we have them locked up.
Thad's is about his life story
It’s his story
Na big dog this one is about him while serving a think like a 5-10 for armed robbery he tried to escape with another prisoner in the end a officer was killed he was captured and his friend got away so he was sentenced to life bc of the death of the officer then he became famous in prison and in 72 I think it was governor Reagan future president Reagan pardoned him of all crimes well bc he became famous 😂
wasnt he in jail when johhny cash played
Here's another country music artist I think you may enjoy listening to "Kenny Rogers - Ruby (Live at Farm Aid 1985)" 🔥🤠🎸💖🎶