1 Merle Ronald Haggard, born on April 6, 1937, owed his dazzling career perhaps first and foremost to his older brother Lowell, who gave Merle, then 12, his used guitar as a gift. Haggard taught himself to play inspired by his favorite records, especially those of Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. And when he finally got those skills down, there was no stopping him.
Depending on one’s point of view, Haggard’s debut performance can be said to have taken place in Modesto at a bar named the Fun Center with his friend Bob Teague. Haggard, still a teen, was paid $5 per show — plus free beer.
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