Merle Haggard was a late starter within the nation charts, however a few of the causes are well-known. Between 1957 and 1960, he served practically three years for housebreaking in San Quentin, that facility later to be made well-known by one other nation icon, Johnny Money. However on December 28, 1963, signed to the small Tally label, he entered the nation countdown for the primary time with “Sing A Sad Song.”
The track was written by Wynn Stewart, one of many originators of the Bakersfield sound that grew up as a substitute for the more and more easy Nashville manufacturing template. Stewart was a well-recognized determine on the nation scene from the mid-Fifties, charting often till the top of the Seventies.
As Haggard tried to construct up his profession and fame upon launch from jail, he sat in with Stewart’s band on bass whereas the frontman was out of city. Wynn was sufficiently impressed to rent him, and Merle performed on Stewart’s model of “Sing A Sad Song.”
Beginning his solo Tally
When Haggard landed a deal of his personal on Tally, run by cousins Lewis Tally and Fuzzy Owen, the observe was chosen as his first single. Distribution was by Fabor Information, and the one carried a credit score for accompaniment by the Wynn Stewart Orchestra, returning the favor to Haggard.
The observe debuted on Billboard’s 30-position Scorching Nation Singles chart for that final week of 1963 at No.29, shortly earlier than the survey expanded to 50 titles. Buck Owens was in the midst of an epic 16-week run at No.1 along with his Capitol single “Love’s Gonna Live Here.” Haggard’s 45 went on to achieve No.19, earlier than he positioned three extra Tally singles on the chart. He cracked the Prime 10 for the primary time along with his early signature “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers.”
Hearken to the perfect of Merle Haggard on Apple Music and Spotify.
By now, Merle’s progress had been observed by Capitol, who persuaded him (after some preliminary reluctance and loyalty to Tally) to signal with the foremost. They acquired his early sides together with “Sing A Sad Song” and “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers,” each of which appeared on his debut album Strangers, launched by Capitol in 1965 alongside a collection of new recordings. The Hag was effectively and really and up and working.
Purchase or stream “Sing A Sad Song” on Merle Haggard’s Strangers album.
