There are rebels. There are outlaws. Then there's Merle Haggard.

As teenager Merle got in trouble for petty crimes and served time in a juvenile detention center in 1950 for shoplifting. He would return one again the next year. His run in with the law would continue for several years.

After being arrested for the attempted robbery of a Bakersfield, CA roadhouse in 1957, Merle Haggard did some real jail time. He probably just could have paid his dues and be released but he decided to escape. That landed him in San Quentin Prison. While there he tried to escape again. When Johnny Cash came to play for the inmates is when Merle decided it was time to turn his world around.

He ended up landing 38 #1 hits on the US Country Music charts, won the top male vocalist of the year Academy of Country Music award 6 times and continue to perform up until recently. Him, along with Buck Owen would give the world what is known as the Bakersfield Sound

Merle Haggard passed away 79 years to the day of his birth yesterday.

His music will always remind me of Saturdays with my dad, riding around in his beat up old Chevy truck and looking for whatever adventure the country roads may have in store.

Please keep comments on topic: music and memories of Merle Haggard. The regular Music Club is posted at the usual time, Sunday through Friday. Thank you.