where is merle haggard buried where is merle haggard buried

[41] In a 2001 interview, Haggard called the song a "documentation of the uneducated that lived in America at the time". This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. One of the most popular country music performers of the late 20th Century, he had more than three dozen number one country hits in a musical career that spanned six decades, from the 1960s into the 2010s. There's also a vase for mourners to leave flowers. Country Thang Daily says that more than 25,000 people turned out for Williams' funeral. In the episode of American Masters dedicated to him, Haggard remembers: "The producer I had at that time, Ken Nelson, was an exception to the rule. [22], While at San Quentin, Haggard started a gambling and brewing racket with his cellmate. He also wrote Okie From Muskogee (1969), his best-known recording, a novelty song that was controversial for its apparent attack on hippies. Haggard has a look of complete joy on his face throughout the session in the old-timey recording set-up once used by his musical heroes. Haggard was born in Oildale, California, toward the end of the Great Depression. After his release from San Quentin Prison in California in 1960, he turned to music in Bakersfield, which was becoming an important regional country music center. [84] In 2002, Haggard collaborated with longtime friend and fellow recording artist Chester Smith (founder of television broadcasting company Sainte Partners II, L.P. and owner of several stations in California and Oregon) with a CD titled California Blend. "[53] In a 2001 interview, Haggard stated that Nelson, who was also head of the country division at Capitol at the time, never interfered with his music, but "this one time he came out and said, 'Merle, I don't believe the world is ready for this yet.' They might not put it that way in their heartbreaking lyrics, but when a country legend dies, there's the small matter of the funeral and burial. "You might not have agreed with his politics, or even cared for his music," said friend Roger Campbell. According to Find a Grave, Merle Haggard is buried at the Haggard Family Ranch Cemetery in Palo Cedro, California. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Dana was the first of four children for Merle Haggard and Leona Hobbs. 1 country records in history during his lifetime: 55 of them. In 1981, Haggard published an autobiography, Sing Me Back Home. It's nice to be noticed. His tombstone has a picture of the musician, and a Bible verse: "I am my beloved's, My beloved is mine" (Song of Solomon 6:3). The Bakersfield sound was developing in the area as a reaction against the overproduced Nashville sound. Jennings' lifestyle meant he suffered from many health issues in his final years, including losing a foot to diabetes. He was released 15 months later but was sent back after beating a local boy during a burglary attempt. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. His double tomb which he shares with his wife as ofOctober 2021 is labeled with his real name, Harold L. Jenkins. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. On the Bob Edwards Show, he said, "I wrote it when I recently got out of the joint. And I thought, what a way to describe the kind of people in America that are still sittin' in the center of the country sayin', 'What is goin' on on these campuses? His childhood was troubled after the death of his father, and he was incarcerated several times in his youth. Country Musician, Songwriter. They bring him through the yard, and there's a guard in front and a guard behindthat's how you know a death prisoner. Per Find A Grave, Merle Haggard's grave is located where his memorial service took place: the Haggard Family Ranch Cemetery in Shasta County, California. He gave me complete responsibility. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? [12] The two rode freight trains and hitchhiked throughout the state. Her spot is located in the middle row, fronted by white marble and marked with just her name and dates. Her many hits included classics like "Stand by Your Man," "I Don't Wanna Play House," and "D-I-V-O-R-C-E." She died in 1998, aged just 55, from a blood clot in her lung. We lost the heart and soul of our family.". In 1987, a second, less successful LP, Seashores of Old Mexico, was also released, and the pair worked together again with Ray Price in 2007, releasing the album Last of the Breed. Beginning with a studio recording of Lefty Frizzells I Love You a Thousand Ways, the funeral went on to include a handful of performances by some of Haggards collaborators and confidantes, including Kris Kristofferson, Connie Smith and former Strangers bandmate Ronnie Reno. The red marble is simple, and the plaque with his name is decorated only with a small image of an open Bible. A reporter who was there wrote, "The people jammed in close to the small tent over the grave began snatching literally from the side of the grave, everything and anything they could lay their hands on, short of the gold finished coffin. I thought they were unqualified to judge America, and I thought they were lookin' down their noses at something that I cherished very much, and it pissed me off. Celebrity guests included Graham Nash, Kenny Rogers, Paul Simon, Billy Bob Thornton, Neil Diamond, James Garner, and James Hetfield. [87] Many country music acts have paid tribute to Haggard by mentioning him in their songs (a fact aided by his first name rhyming with "girl," a common theme in country songs). "[93], Haggard's last recording, a song called "Kern River Blues," described his departure from Bakersfield in the late 1970s and his displeasure with politicians. They lived in a converted boxcar. But it also talks about loss, as in when you lose someone forever. In 1962, Haggard wound up performing at a Wynn Stewart show in Las Vegas and heard Wynn's "Sing a Sad Song". "Merle Haggard". [114] In 2015, the converted boxcar in which the Haggard family lived in Oildale was moved to the Kern County Museum for historic preservation and restoration.[115][116]. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Towards the end of the decade, Haggard composed several number-one hits, including "Mama Tried," "The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde," "Hungry Eyes," and "Sing Me Back Home". Whatever his next of kin decide, hopefully it will be amazing and worthy of such a groundbreaking musician. And he said, 'Cause I'm afraid someday I'm gonna be out there and there's gonna be some prisoner in there the same time I was in, stand upand they're gonna be about the third row downand say, 'What do you think you're doing, 45200?'" [18] Convicted, he was sent to the Bakersfield Jail. [11] Older brother Lowell gave his guitar to Merle when Merle was 12. However, Bonnie Owens had no further hit singles, and although she recorded six solo albums on Capitol between 1965 and 1970, she became mainly known for her background harmonies on Haggard hits such as "Sing Me Back Home" and "Branded Man". Nelson believed the 1983 Academy Award-winning film Tender Mercies, about the life of fictional singer Mac Sledge, was based on the life of Merle Haggard. On December 5, 2015, Haggard was treated at an undisclosed hospital in California for pneumonia. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Outdoor ceremony at the late legend's California ranch was officiated by Marty Stuart. In 2010 he was honored with an award for lifetime achievement from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index, 1800s-current, California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1960-1985, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. [102] On November 9, 2008, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer in May and undergone surgery on November 3, during which part of his lung was removed. This is a carousel with slides. As part of the deal that got Haggard signed to Capitol, producer Ken Nelson obtained the rights to Haggard's Tally sides, including the duets with Owens, resulting in the release of Haggard's first duet album with Owens and The Strangers in 1966, also entitled Just Between the Two of Us. For someone who was such an icon, you'd hope it's a pretty impressive monument. Some legends lived long, full lives, while others managed to become icons before being taken far too soon. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. While his music remained hardcore country, he pushed the boundaries of the music quite far. [33] Daniel Cooper calls "Sing Me Back Home" "a ballad that works on so many different levels of the soul it defies one's every attempt to analyze it". 1969 Album of the Year "Okie from Muskogee" , 1969 Song of the Year "Okie from Muskogee" , 1969 Single of the Year "Okie from Muskogee" , 1970 Album of the Year "Okie from Muskogee" , 1970 Single of the Year "Okie from Muskogee" , Di Salvatore, Bryan. After being released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, he managed to turn his life around and launch a successful country music career. [110][111], During his long career, Haggard received numerous awards from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards) (see Awards). All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. [10] Nine year-old Haggard was deeply affected by the loss, and it remained a pivotal event to him for the rest of his life. Sitting in a normal cemetery surrounded by small, traditional headstones, Roger's gleaming black marble tomb is surrounded by six columns, topped by a marble circle etched with the musician's name and "Will the circle be unbroken," the title of a classic country song recorded by many other artists, andcovered by Rogers in 2011. [9][10] The property was eventually expanded by building a bathroom, a second bedroom, a kitchen, and a breakfast nook in the adjacent lot. Lynn Anderson was the daughter of two songwriters but found even more success in music herself. American country music songwriter, singer, and musician (19372016), "Okie from Muskogee" and "The Fightin' Side of Me", PBS America: Country Music: The Sons and Daughters of America (1964-1968), Same Train, Different Time: A Tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World, Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (or, My Salute to Bob Wills), Merle Haggard's Christmas Present (Something Old, Something New), 1984 Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, 1998 Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, "Top BMI Writers, Publishers Honored at 54th Annual Country Awards; Merle Haggard Saluted as BMI Icon", "Merle Haggard, Country Music's Outlaw Hero, Dies at 79". As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. All these guys running around in long hair talking about being wild and Rolling Stones. [85] The CD features classic country, western, and gospel tracks performed by both Smith and Haggard. According to Find a Grave, Hank Williams is buried at Oakwood Annex Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama. cemeteries found in Palo Cedro, Shasta County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. ", According to Find a Grave, Glen Campbell is buried at Campbell's Cemetery in Billstown, Arkansas. Soon, he was performing again and later began recording with Tally Records. [38] American president Richard Nixon wrote an appreciative letter to Haggard upon his hearing of the song, and would go on to invite Haggard to perform at the White House several times. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. He asked for permission to record it, and the resulting single was a national hit in 1964. To use this feature, use a newer browser. And he said, 'I'm really scared.' On November 6, 2013, the mayor of Winchester, Virginia, awarded Haggard the Key to the City at the Patsy Cline Theatre after a sold-out show by Bonnie Blue Concerts. [9], In 1946 Haggard's father died of a brain hemorrhage. According to Find a Grave, Charlie Daniels is buried at Mount Juliet Memorial Gardens in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. The split served as a license to party for Haggard, who spent much of the next decade becoming mired in alcohol and drug problems. My views on marijuana have totally changed. ", The Oklahoman says his funeral was private, but thousands of fans and many country celebs turned out for his memorial. Oops, we were unable to send the email. His epitaph reads "A vagabond dreamer, A rhymer and singer of songs, A revolutionary in country music, Beloved by the world.". Hell, he was just a long-haired kid. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. After this experience Haggard decided to pursue a career in music. [54][55] Although Gordon Friesen of Broadside magazine criticized Haggard for his "[John] Birch-type songs against war dissenters," Haggard was popular with college students in the early 1970s, not only because of the ironic use of his songs by counterculture members, but also because his music was recognized as coming from an early country-folk tradition. They had four children: Dana, Marty, Kelli, and Noel. Haggard's last number-one hit was "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star" from his smash album Chill Factor in 1988. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. In the early 1960s, Haggard recorded duets with Bonnie Owens, who later became his wife, for Tally Records, scoring a minor hit with "Just Between the Two of Us". 0:00 / 0:50 More than 100 people attended Haggard's funeral 23 ABC News | KERO 187K subscribers Subscribe 95K views 6 years ago Friends and family also gathered to say their final goodbyes to. Poverty marred his childhood and he began a career of theft and burglary in his. His grave is not open to the public because his ranch is a private property. Try again later. Merle Haggard wanted to be buried with his family in a plot near his parents. Because it's his family's land, you can't get to the grave without trespassing, and there don't seem to be any images of his gravestone (if he has one) anywhere online. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Try again later. Duvall, however, said he was a big fan of Haggard's.[62]. Charlie Daniels was a controversial figure, especially later in life, due to his very outspoken political beliefs. The album's lead single, "It's All Going to Pot", was a subtle reference to smoking marijuana, and the music video for the song showed Haggard and Nelson smoking joints while singing in a recording studio. [76] The album reached number four on the country charts, and Haggard and Owens recorded a number of additional duets before their divorce in 1978. [63] He quit smoking cigarettes in 1991, and stopped smoking marijuana in 1995. Some of his songs include "Okie from Muskogee," "Mama Tried," and "Big City." Weve updated the security on the site. Merle Haggard Laid to Rest at Music-Filled Funeral, How Virtual Songwriting Sessions Became the Nashville Norm, Flashback: See Patsy Cline Croon I Fall to Pieces in Final TV Appearance, I Was Prescribed Trumps Steroid. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? They'd both found success before they married, and more after. In May 1970, Haggard explained to John Grissom of Rolling Stone, "I don't like their views on life, their filth, their visible self-disrespect, y'know. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Unfortunately for fans who might want to pay their respects, his final resting place is just as private as his funeral was. [citation needed]. The whole thing hit me in two minutes, and I did one line after another and got the whole thing done in 20 minutes. Some of his 29 #1 country hits include "Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone," "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'," and "All I Have to Offer You Is Me." It Made Me Feel Invincible, The National Stay Up Late to Perform 'Tropic Morning News' on Fallon, David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78, How Deem Spencer Learned to be Vulnerable on His New Album adultSW!M, Suki Waterhouse Won't Take Romance for Granted on New Single 'To Love', Travis Barker Says His Finger Ligament Surgery Was a 'Success' After Postponing Blink-182 Tour, Suki Waterhouse Won't Take Romance For Granted on New Single 'To Love'. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. David Lindley, Multi-Instrumentalist Who Shaped the Sound of Soft Rock, Dead at 78 The Idol: How HBOs Next Euphoria Became Twisted Torture Porn If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. It has two long plaques, one for June with Psalm 103:1, and one for Johnny with Psalm 19:14; both also have their signatures in gold, and at the head of the grave is a black marble bench. In the wake of "Okie," Capitol Records was not interested in complicating Haggard's conservative, blue-collar image. And I said, 'Why?' He also played six-string acoustic models. Merle Ronald Haggard was born on April 6, 1937 in Oildale, Calif., about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. But it didn't stay simple for long. [68][69], Haggard and The Strangers number-one hit single "Mama Tried" is featured in the 2003 film Radio with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ed Harris, as well as in Bryan Bertino's The Strangers with Liv Tyler. Times Staff Writer Bonnie Owens, a cocktail waitress-turned-singer who was married at different times to country music giants Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, died Monday in Bakersfield after a. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [25], 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. [63] Despite these issues, he won a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his 1984 remake of "That's The Way Love Goes". Bonnie Owens (October 1, 1929 - April 24, 2006), [1] born Bonnie Campbell, was an American country music singer who was married to Buck Owens and later Merle Haggard . Her funeral was small and private, per CBS News. 23ABC News brings you up . He was not wild, though. [123] He described himself as a student of music, philosophy, and communication. In 2005, Haggard was featured as a guest vocalist on Gretchen Wilson's song "Politically Uncorrect", which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Obviously, there were fans who would have wanted to celebrate Rogers in some official way, but because he died in 2020, a big funeral wasn't possible, and even a memorial was delayed indefinitely. But as his youngest son, Ben, wrote in a touching post to social media, his father had a feeling his time on Earth was almost over. Years active. He died in 2002, aged 64, in his sleep from diabetic complications. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977,[2] the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 1994,[3] and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 1997. In December 2004, Haggard spoke at length on Larry King Live about his incarceration as a young man and said it was "hell" and "the scariest experience of my life".[67]. A video of clips from his life was played, including an appearance on the TV show "Politically Incorrect," where he said, "We don't want to impeach Clinton. In addition, Haggard recorded two chart-topping duets with George Jones"Yesterdays' Wine" in 1982and with Willie Nelson"Pancho and Lefty" in 1983. Haggard played two shows to raise money to pay for the changes in road signage. ", According to Find a Grave, Patsy Cline is buried at Shenandoah Memorial Park in Frederick County, Virginia. To support the family, Haggard's mother took a job as a bookkeeper. Why do I like this now?' She died in 1963, aged just 30, in a plane crash. His father died of a brain hemorrhage in 1945, which left Haggard deeply affected, and his mother worked as a bookkeeper to . "[50] In a 2003 interview with No Depression magazine, Haggard said, "I had different views in the '70s. It has his name and dates, as well as his ornate signature, and the text ofPsalm 91: 1-8. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Merle Haggard (160613535)? There he worked a series of laborer jobs, including potato truck driver, short order cook, hay pitcher and oil well shooter. She also formed the short-lived Marty and Dana and the Driftwood Band with her brother Marty. [75], Haggard collaborated with many other artists over the course of his career. Glen was laid to rest on Wednesday in a private ceremony in his hometown of Delight, Ark. [92] It was the last filmed performance of the pair, with Rolling Stone commenting "in the final performance of Sessions, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard perform the duet "The Only Man Wilder Than Me." "[35] In the documentary series Lost Highway, Nelson recalls, "When I first started recording Merle, I became so enamored with his singing that I would forget what else was going on, and I suddenly realized, 'Wait a minute, there's musicians here you've got to worry about!' Drag images here or select from your computer for Merle Haggard memorial. Charley Pride was country music's "first Black superstar," per the Country Music Hall of Fame. Although he was outspoken in his dislike for modern country music,[87] he praised George Strait, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, and Sturgill Simpson. On 10 April 2016, the web site Nevada County Scooper published am article reporting that recently-deceased country music legend Merle Haggard had left his entire estate to an LGBT group in. His parents relocated there from Oklahoma during the Great Depression to find work. In 2013, Haggard biographer David Cantwell stated, "The immediate successors to I'm a Lonesome FugitiveBranded Man in 1967 and, in '68, Sing Me Back Home and The Legend of Bonnie and Clydewere among the finest albums of their respective years. [citation needed], In April 2010, Haggard released a new album, I Am What I Am,[74] to strong reviews, and he performed the title song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in February 2011. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Haggard went on to record duets with George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Clint Eastwood, among others.[77]. [34], Producer Ken Nelson took a hands-off approach to produce Haggard. He played a bandleader named Red, who had been depressed since the death of his son (Ron Howard).[61]. Haggard stepped to the podium and said, "Thank you. Their graves are side by side with one massive flat stone covering both. The 1973 recession anthem, "If We Make It Through December," furthered Haggard's status as a champion of the working class. A private memorial will follow." In 2001, Haggard released an album of gospel songs with Albert E. Brumley called Two Old Friends. According to Find a Grave, Kenny Rogers is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia. [49], On his next single, "The Fightin' Side of Me," released by his record company in 1970 over Haggard's objections, Haggard's lyrics stated that he did not mind the counterculture "switchin' sides and standin' up for what they believe in," but resolutely declared, "If you don't love it, leave it!" I might've canceled out where I was headed in my career. [4] In 2006, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was also honored as a BMI Icon at the 54th annual BMI Pop Awards that same year. They left behind catalogs of beloved songs and legacies, but they also leave behind bodies that need to be buried. [100], Haggard said he started smoking marijuana in 1978, when he was 41 years old. Skynyrd also performed both a cover of "Honky Tonk Night Time Man" and their own take on the song with "Jacksonville Kid" (found on the 2001 CD reissue of the album) on their album Street Survivors. This account has been disabled. In 2001, C. F. Martin & Company introduced a limited edition Merle Haggard Signature Edition 000-28SMH acoustic guitar available with or without factory-installed electronics. [80] In 2006, the pair released a sequel, Kickin' Out the FootlightsAgain. Despite that, celebrity mourners included George Jones, Garth Brooks, Naomi Judd, and Crystal Gayle. Married and plagued by financial issues,[12] in 1957 he tried to rob a Bakersfield roadhouse, was caught and arrested. Under his name and dates is "Psalm 23," which famously starts "The Lord is my shepherd" and includes the line "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. But even for those who disagreed with him on everything, and even if you aren't into country music at all, you know Daniels' hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Haggard's 1970 LP A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World, dedicated to Bob Wills, helped spark a permanent revival and expanded the audience for western swing. The various epitaphs recall titles and lines from his biggest hits: "Men with Broken Hearts, "I Just Told Mama Goodbye," "Luke the Drifter," "I'll never get out of this world alive," and "Praise the Lord I saw the light." [72], In October 2005, Haggard released his album Chicago Wind to mostly positive reviews. Williams dealt with substance abuse issues, and died of a heart attack in the back of a car on the way to a concert. Thanks for your help! [23] He soon earned a high school equivalency diploma and kept a steady job in the prison's textile plant. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, he had 38 number-one hits on the US country charts, several of which also made the Billboard all-genre singles chart. Where Is Merle Haggard Gravesite? In 2015, Haggard was featured as a guest vocalist on Don Henley's song "The Cost of Living" on the album Cass County. They performed a song Haggard had composed for the film, "The Only Man Wilder Than Me"[89][90] and Bob Wills' classic "Old Fashioned Love",[91] which they recorded live on the restored first electrical sound recording system from the 1920s. Country giant Merle Haggard, who celebrated outlaws, underdogs and an abiding sense of national pride in such hits as Okie From Muskogee and Sing Me Back Home, died Wednesday at 79, on his. There's a full-size cowboy hat made of marble. "[118] Nick Gravenites, of Big Brother and the Holding Company, paid Haggard a tongue-in-cheek tribute with the song, "I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle,"[119] later covered by other artists including Pure Prairie League. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Her side is marked with her birth name, Virginia H. (for Hensley), and only underneath is there a nod to her famous stage name with Patsy Cline in parentheses. Haggard did, and was well received by the audience. As the Tennessean reported, it opened with a hymn, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Make sure that the file is a photo. This Day in 1961; James Rabbit Kendrick, friend of Merle Haggard. Haggard's guitar playing and voice gave his country songs a hard-edged, blues-like style in many cuts. Rolling Stone reported that a representative for his loved ones released a statement saying, "Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family. However, you can go see his final resting place. And that's the way they did it.". Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. In 2015, they released their sixth and final duet album, Django and Jimmie. He was the California that was dusty, that was Merle's. The same year, he alternately spoke and sang the ballad "The Man in the Mask". Fortunately for him, he gave up his seat for someone else (not good for them, obviously). Rolling Stone reported that plenty of celebrity friends made the cut, though. The Haggard . "[37], In 1969, Haggard and The Strangers released "Okie From Muskogee," with lyrics ostensibly reflecting the singer's pride in being from Middle America, where people are conventionally patriotic, don't smoke marijuana, don't take LSD, don't protest by burning draft cards or otherwise challenge authority.