I was a mere 10 years old when country music artist Merle Haggard hits the charts with his single to top the charts, Okie From Muskogee”. Haggard’s eight country album of his career, this album went on to Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year, with Haggard taking home Top Male Vocalist of the Year as well.
Haggard and his band The Strangers, along with Buck Owens, helped create what became known as the Bakersfield sound, characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster mixed with the traditional country steel guitar sound, new vocal harmony styles in which the words are minimal, and a rough edge not heard on the more polished Nashville Sound recordings of the same era.
On January 26, 2014, Haggard performed his 1969 song “Okie from Muskogee” at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards along with Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Blake Shelton.
Here’s Merle, back in the day, singing his hit on TV! Enjoy!!!
