Country Pop Bites: Merle Haggard – May 9

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 1968 Merle Haggard recorded "Mama Tried" ?

It's true! It was at the Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, with Glen Campbell joining the band on the session.

Check out the video!

Here are 5 interesting facts about Merle Haggard.

• His father, Jim, was an amateur musician who had died when Merle was just nine years old.
• Johnny Cash and Jimmie Rodgers were both major musical influences to him.
• His prison songs come from experience. He was put behind bars for a botched robbery in 1957. After he became famous, he was pardoned by California Governor Ronald Reagan in 1972.
• One of the most prolific figures in country music, he has appeared on over 150 albums and received songwriting credit on over 250 songs.
• He  was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994, joining fellow Bakersfield patriarch Bob Wills.