The Hag: The Life, Times, and Music of Merle Haggard

In his latest addition to an impressive oeuvre of biographies of actors and singers, Eliot (American Titan: Searching for John Wayne) chronicles the life of country-western star Merle Haggard (1937–2016). Eliot follows Haggard, the mercurial singer known for his outlaw persona, from his rebellious teenage years to his time in prison, through a half-dozen marriages, constant tours, and the pinnacle of his commercial and artistic success. Country music legends such as Lefty Frizzell, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson make appearances, and Eliot interviews Haggard’s family and roadies and recording industry insiders. Details on album tracks and personnel, as well as the songwriter’s craft, add valuable information, as do the chapter notes and bibliography, discography, and list of awards. Those who know Haggard only for songs such as “Okie from Muskogee” will be treated to an in-depth look at a multifaceted performer (he even had a recurring role on TV’s The Waltons) who incorporated his personal struggles into his music. Eliot deftly contrasts the ruthless music business with Haggard’s own human frailties.