Merle Haggard, known as “the Poet of the Common Man,” is celebrated as one of the most significant singer-songwriters in the history of country music. Born on April 6, 1937, near Bakersfield, California, Haggard's early life was marked by hardship. His family, originally from Oklahoma, relocated to California during the Great Depression after a fire destroyed their farm. They were among the many "Okies" who sought a new beginning in the West.

Haggard's father passed away when Merle was just nine years old, a loss that deeply affected him. Despite his mother's encouragement to pursue music, Haggard frequently found himself in trouble with the law, culminating in a stint at San Quentin State Prison at the age of 20 for attempting to rob a restaurant.

After his release, Haggard returned to Bakersfield, where he joined Buck Owens’s band and began performing in local honky tonks. His solo career flourished as he drew inspiration from his personal experiences, crafting songs like “Sing Me Back Home,” “Mama Tried,” and “Hungry Eyes.” These songs resonated with many, leading to a remarkable streak of 37 consecutive Top 10 hits in the late 1960s, including 23 No. 1 singles.

Throughout his career, Haggard paid homage to the country artists who influenced him, such as Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, and Lefty Frizzell. His contributions to music were recognized with numerous accolades, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2010, he received a Kennedy Center Honor for his outstanding contribution to American culture.

Merle Haggard continued to tour and record music until his late 70s, leaving behind a legacy that is preserved in part by his childhood home, a converted boxcar now part of the Kern County Museum. He passed away from complications of pneumonia on April 6, 2016, his 79th birthday, in Palo Cedra, California.