Merle Haggard Merle Haggard artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Merle Haggard

"I think country is as vibrant as certainly this series that we've just made tries to chronicle," Ken Burns says. Amy Sussman/Getty Images hide caption

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Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Ken Burns Gets To The Heart Of 'Country Music'

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Merle Haggard, shown performing in 1985, was a country music fixture for 50 years. He died Wednesday, on his 79th birthday. Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images hide caption

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Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images

Country Legend Merle Haggard Dies At 79

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All Songs Considered Holiday Music Special 2011

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Not coincidentally, Merle Haggard's "Working in Tennessee" documents a young ruffian who pulled himself up by his bootstraps.

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Courtesy of the artist

'Working in Tennessee' by Merle Haggard

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"I realized what a mess I made out of my life, and I got out of there and stayed out of there. Never did go back," Merle Haggard says of his time in prison. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Merle Haggard Reflects On His Outlaw Country Past

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Merle Haggard Travis Huggett/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Travis Huggett/Courtesy of the artist

Merle Haggard Still Dreams Of Hopping Trains

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Riki Feldmann

String Metal, A Country Legend, LCD Soundsystem

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The Happy Return of Christmas Oldies

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