Country Pop Bites: Merle Haggard – March 14

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 1972 California Governor Ronald Reagan pardoned Merle Haggard for a 1957 attempted robbery that landed the singer in prison?

It's true!

Check out this Merle Haggard video!

Here are 5 interesting facts about Merle Haggard.

• His middle name is Ronald.
• His father died of a brain hemorrhage in 1945, an event that deeply affected Haggard during his childhood, and the rest of his life.
• His brother, Lowell, gave him his used guitar as a gift when he was 12-years-old.
• His music was influenced by Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams.
• He worked a series of laborer jobs, including driving a potato truck, being a short order cook, a hay pitcher, and an oil well shooter.