The Strangers (American band) explained

The Strangers
Origin:Bakersfield, California
Years Active:1966–2016
Past Members:Merle Haggard
Biff Adam
Paul Anastasio
Johnny Barber
Jimmy Belken
Eddie Burris
James Burton
Glen Campbell
Renato Caranto
Jim Christie
Gary Church
Doug Colosio
Eddie Curtis
Iris DeMent
Terry Domingue
Floyd Domino
Wayne Durham
George French
Johnny Gimble
Ben Haggard
Dana Haggard
Noel Haggard
Theresa Haggard
Norman Hamlet
Dennis Hromek
Sidney Hunter
Jeff Ingraham
Scott Joss
Red Lane
Abe Manuel
Joe Manuel
Don Markham
Randy Mason
Will McGregor
Johnny Meeks
Eugene Moles
Ralph Mooney
Tiny Moore
Marcia Nichols
Roy Nichols
Fuzzy Owen
Bonnie Owens
Gene Price
Taras Prodaniuk
Joe Reed
Ronnie Reno
Sheril Rodgers
Eldon Shamblin
Clint Strong
Gordon Terry
Jimmy Tittle
Kenny Vernon
Redd Volkaert
Jerry Ward
Bobby Wayne
Mark Yeary

The Strangers were an American country band that formed in 1966 in Bakersfield, California. They mainly served as the backup band for singer-songwriter Merle Haggard, who named them after his first hit single "(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers".[1] In addition to serving as his backing band, members of the Strangers also produced many of Haggard's records, sang lead vocals on select tracks, and co-wrote many of Haggard's songs with him, including the No. 1 singles, "Okie From Muskogee" and "I Always Get Lucky with You".

From 1969 to 1973, they issued several records independent of Haggard, released on Capitol Records, and even had their own Top 10 hit single called "Street Singer" on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. Three members of the Strangers would go on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Between 1969 and 1987, the Strangers were voted Band of the Year by the Academy of Country Music eight times—more than any other group in history.[2]

History

1960s

Lead guitarist Roy Nichols had previously played with the Maddox Brothers and Rose, Lefty Frizzell, Wynn Stewart, and Johnny Cash before playing with the Strangers from 1965 until 1987, when health problems forced him into retirement.[3] Duncan, Oklahoma-born steel guitarist Ralph Mooney (September 16, 1928 - March 20, 2011) had previously played with Wynn Stewart and written the song "Crazy Arms", and after leaving the Strangers recorded a duo album with James Burton and then joined Waylon Jennings band.[4]

Norm Hamlet joined the Strangers on steel guitar in 1967 and, shortly afterward, became its bandleader.[5] Howard "Jerry Ward" Lowe was the Strangers original bass player and George French (March 6, 1926 - August 14, 1992) played the piano.[6] But when Ward left, Willard "Gene" Price (February 27, 1944 - August 13, 2013) from Shamrock, Texas, replaced him on bass just in time for the Okie from Muskogee album in 1969, on which he also sang lead vocals.[7] Tulsa, Oklahoma-born Roy "Eddie" Burris (October 27, 1931 - April 19, 2011), the drummer for the Strangers, co-wrote the title track "Okie From Muskogee" with Merle Haggard.[8]

1970s

Clair "Biff" Adam replaced Burris as the Strangers drummer in 1970 and also served as Merle's publicist and bus driver.[9] On the album, The Fightin' Side of Me, the Strangers added rhythm guitarist Robert "Bobby Wayne" Edrington (December 11, 1941 - September 21, 2009) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and they got their own showcase on the instrumental "Stealin’ Corn".[10] A second rhythm guitarist, Marcia "Nichols" Ashcraft (May 23, 1950 - October 1976), also joined the band [11]

After Bobby Wayne and Marcia Nichols left, Ronnie Reno of Reno and Smiley and the Osborne Brothers joined the Strangers on rhythm guitar, and he also produced Merle's duo album with Mac Wiseman as well as Merle's The Bluegrass Sessions.[12] Ronnie would also sing lead vocals on albums like Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album.[13] Johnny Meeks, previously a member of Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, the Champs, and Michael Nesmith and the Second National Band, played bass with the Strangers in the early 1970s and later got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[14] After Meeks left, Jimmy Tittle played bass with the band.[15] After leaving the Strangers, Tittle would go on to play with his father-in-law Johnny Cash.[16] He was replaced by bassist Sherman "Wayne" Durham.

Saxophonist Don Markham, who had played with Sly & the Family Stone, the Ventures, the Bakersfield Brass, and Johnny Paycheck played with the Strangers from 1974 to 2013.[17] In the mid-1970s, former Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys guitarist Estel "Eldon" Shamblin was invited to join the Strangers.[18] After retiring from the Strangers, Eldon Shamblin would continue to perform with them whenever they played in Tulsa.[19] Electric mandolinist Billie "Tiny" Moore also joined the Strangers during the 1970s.[20] Like Eldon Shamblin, Tiny Moore had also been a member of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.[21]

In the late 1970s Decatur, Gordon Terry joined the Strangers on fiddle.[22] Terry had previously played with Bill Monroe, Faron Young, and Johnny Cash.[23]

1980s

After Gordon Terry left the band, fiddler Jimmy Belken joined.[24] Belken had previously played with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys as well as Mel Tillis and the Statesiders.[25] In addition to serving as Strangers bassist, Dennis Hromek would also sing some lead vocals at Strangers shows.[26] When Hromek left Bobby Wayne returned to the Strangers, this time playing bass.[27]

Other noteworthy members of the band included trumpet player Gary Church and keyboardist Mark Yeary, who also served as Merle's co-producer on his records.[28] Clint Strong, who had studied under Stan Kenton, joined the Strangers on lead guitar during the mid-1980s.[29] Sheril Rodgers, co-wrote with Merle and singer/songwriter Freddy Powers. Sheril toured with the Strangers as backup singer from 1983 to 1984 and co-wrote "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room Tonight".

Discography

Albums credited to the Strangers

ReleasedAlbumUS CountryLabel
February 23, 1969The Instrumental Sounds of Merle Haggard's Strangers36Capitol Records
April 6, 1970Introducing My Friends the Strangers34
October 5, 1970Getting to Know Merle Haggard's Strangers44
June 21, 1971Honky Tonkin34
May 1, 1973Totally Instrumental...With One Exception23

Albums credited to Merle Haggard and the Strangers

ReleasedAlbumUS CountryLabel
April 11, 1966Just Between the Two of Us 4Capitol Records
October 17, 1966Swinging Doors1
April 3, 1967I'm a Lonesome Fugitive 3
August 28, 1967Branded Man1
January 8, 1968Sing Me Back Home1
April 8, 1968The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde6
September 9, 1968Mama Tried4
February 10, 1969Pride in What I Am11
May 12, 1969Same Train, a Different Time1
September 15, 1969A Portrait of Merle Haggard3
December 29, 1969Okie from Muskogee1
July 6, 1970The Fightin’ Side of Me1
November 16, 1970A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (or, My Salute to Bob Wills)2
March 15, 1971Hag1
August 16, 1971Someday We'll Look Back4
November 8, 1971The Land of Many Churches15
March 6, 1972Let Me Tell You About a Song 7
November 20, 1972It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)1
May 13, 1973I Love Dixie Blues1
February 18, 1974If We Make It Through December4
September 17, 1974Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album1
April 21, 1975Keep Movin' On1
February 16, 1976It's All in the Movies1
July 5, 1976My Love Affair with Trains 7
November 22, 1976The Roots of My Raising8
September 12, 1977A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today 28

Singles credited to Merle Haggard and the Strangers

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
US CountryUS Hot 100Canada CountryUS Adult Contemporary
1966"Just Between the Two of Us" (with Bonnie Owens)28Just Between the Two of Us with Bonnie Owens
"Swinging Doors" 5Swinging Doors
"The Bottle Let Me Down" 3
1967"I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" 1I'm a Lonesome Fugitive
"Someone Told My Story" 32
"I Threw Away the Rose" 2Branded Man
"Branded Man" 1
1968"Sing Me Back Home" 17Sing Me Back Home
"The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde" 13The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde
"Mama Tried" 11Mama Tried
1969"I Take a Lot of Pride in What I Am" 31Pride in What I Am
"Hungry Eyes" 12A Portrait of Merle Haggard
"Workin' Man Blues" 11
"Okie from Muskogee"1413Okie from Muskogee
1970"The Fightin' Side of Me" 1921The Fightin’ Side of Me
1971"Jesus, Take a Hold" 31073Hag
"I Can't Be Myself" b/w "Sidewalks of Chicago"31062
"Soldier's Last Letter" 390
"Someday We'll Look Back" 21192Someday We'll Look Back
"Carolyn" 158235
1972"Daddy Frank (The Guitar Man)" 12Let Me Tell You About a Song
"Grandma Harp" b/w "Turnin' Off a Memory"15
"It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)" 11It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)
1973"I Wonder If They Ever Think of Me" 11I Love Dixie Blues
"The Emptiest Arms in the World" 312
"Everybody's Had the Blues" 1621
1974"If We Make It Through December"128116If We Make It Through December
"Things Aren't Funny Anymore" 12Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album
"Old Man from the Mountain" 11
1975"Kentucky Gambler" 11Keep Movin' On
"Always Wanting You" 13
"Movin' On" 115
1976"It's All in the Movies" 111It's All in the Movies
"The Roots of My Raising" 17The Roots of My Raising
"Cherokee Maiden" b/w "What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana"11
"Here Comes the Freedom Train" 101My Love Affair with Trains
1977"A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today" 168A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today
"Running Kind" b/w "Making Believe"1210
1978"The Way It Was in '51" 8258The Way It Was in '51

Albums credited to Bonnie Owens and the Strangers

YearAlbumUS CountryLabel
1967All of Me Belongs to You35Capitol Records
1969Somewhere Between34
Lead Me On-
1970Mother's Favorite Hymns-

Singles credited to Bonnie Owens and the Strangers

DebutSongUS CountryAlbum
November 19, 1966Consider the Children69All of Me Belongs To You
February 15, 1969Lead Me On68Lead Me On

The Strangers as Backing Band

Artist Album Year
Merle Haggard's Christmas Present 1973
Rainbow Stew Live at Anaheim Stadium 1981
Songs for the Mama That Tried
Big City
Mr. Hag Told My Story
Going Where the Lonely Go 1982
Goin' Home for Christmas
That's the Way Love Goes 1983
The Epic Collection (Recorded Live)
Heart to Heart
Queen of the West
It's All in the Game 1984
Kern River 1985
Amber Waves of Grain
A Friend in California 1986
The Promiseland
Seashores of Old Mexico 1987
Chill Factor
5:01 Blues 1989
Blue Jungle 1990
Live from Austin, TX ’85 2006
Live from Austin, TX ‘78 2008

Contribution to Merle Haggard Albums

Songwriting

Song Songwriter Album Year
Falling For YouStrangers 1965
Mary's MineJerry Ward I'm a Lonesome Fugitive 1967
Blue RockRoy Nichols and Norm HamletOkie from Muskogee 1969
In The Arms of Love (Gene Price on lead vocal)Gene Price and Buck Owens
Okie From MuskogeeEddie Burris and Merle Haggard
Hammin’ It UpThe Fightin’ Side of Me 1970
Harold's Super ServiceBobby Wayne
Stealin’ Corn
Champagne Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet, and Biff Adam I Love Dixie Blues 1973
Come On Into My ArmsMarcia Nichols If We Make It Through December 1974
Girl Who Made Me Laugh Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album
It Don't Bother Me Mark Yeary
Travelin’ (Ronnie Reno on lead vocal) Tiny Moore and Ronnie Reno
I’ve Got A Darlin’ Keep Movin' On 1975
After Loving You It's All in the Movies 1976
Cotton Patch Blues Tiny Moore, Bob Wills, and Billy Joe Moore
I Won't Give Up My Train Mark YearyMy Love Affair with Trains
Union Station Ronnie Reno
Gary Church, Merle Haggard, Freddy Powers, and Tex Whitson Big City 1981
I Think I'm Gonna Live ForeverDennis Hromek, Merle Haggard, and Benny Binion
Silver Eagle Gary Church and Freddy Powers A Taste of Yesterday's Wine 1982
My Life's Been Grand Out Among the Stars 1986

Production

Producer Album Year
Goin' Home for Christmas 1982
Mark Yeary 5:01 Blues 1989
Mark Yeary Blue Jungle 1990
Ronnie Reno The Bluegrass Sessions 2007
Ronnie Reno Timeless 2015

Lead Vocal

Lead SingerSongAlbumYear
Gene PriceIn The Arms of LoveOkie from Muskogee1969
Ronnie RenoTravelin’Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album1974

Merle call-outs

Merle Haggard famously called out members of the Strangers by name on his records prior to their solos. He sometimes prefixed their name with “Brother,” as in the song "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" when he called out “Brother Don” Markham. For 20 years (1969–1989) he regularly called out 16 different members of the Strangers and 14 guest musicians on 70 songs on 31 different albums. Roy Nichols received the most call-outs (42), followed by Norm Hamlet (24), Tiny Moore (13), Mark Yeary (10), and Don Markham (9). Below is a list of all the songs and Stranger call-outs Merle made over his career. Not listed are callouts the Strangers received by others than Merle, such as when Leona Williams called out Roy Nichols during “Yes Ma’am This One Can” on her 1976 Strangers-backed album “San Quentin’s First Lady,” or when Rose Maddox called Roy Nichols out prior to his “Downtown Modesto” solo on her 1983 Strangers-backed album “Queen of the West.”

Song Call-Outs Album Year
Same Train, a Different Time 1969
No Hard Times
Silver Wings Okie from Muskogee
Blue Rock
In The Arms of Love Gene Price
Brain Cloudy Blues A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (or, My Salute to Bob Wills) 1970
Biff Adam, Dennis Hromek, George French, Joe Holley, Tiny Moore, Roy Nichols, Alex Brashear
Misery Johnnie Lee Wills, Eldon Shamblin, Tiny Moore, Roy Nichols
Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet, Alex Brashear
Old Fashioned Love Tiny Moore
Johnny Gimble, George French, Joe Holley, Tiny Moore
George French, Johnny Gimble, Tiny Moore, Joe Holley
George French Down Every Road 1962–1994
The Fightin’ Side of Me
Every Fool Has a Rainbow Roy Nichols
T.B. Blues Norm Hamlet
When Did Right Become Wrong? Norm Hamlet, Roy Nichols
Harold's Super Service Bobby Wayne, Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet
Stealin’ Corn Biff Adam, Dennis Hromek, Bobby Wayne, Norm Hamlet, Roy Nichols Introducing My Friends the Strangers
Blue Rock Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet
Where Could I Go But To The Lord? Bobby Wayne The Land of Many Churches 1971
I’ve Done It All Hag
Stumblin Al Bruno, Earl Poole Ball, Johnny Gimble, Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet Honky Tonkin’
Bring It on Down to My House, HoneyBilly Leibert, Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet Let Me Tell You About a Song 1972
Roy Nichols I Love Dixie Blues 1973
Nobody Knows I'm Hurtin’
Norm Hamlet
Gene Bowen, Dale Hampton, Biff Adam
Roy Nichols, Marcia Nichols Totally Instrumental...With One Exception
I'm an Old Man Norm Hamlet, Roy Nichols, Johnny Gimble If We Make It Through December 1974
Come On into My Arms Roy Nichols
Honky Tonk Night Time Man Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet Merle Haggard Presents His 30th Album
A Man's Gotta Give Up a Lot Tiny Moore, Roy Nichols Keep Movin' On 1975
Cotton Patch Blues Eldon Shamblin, Tiny Moore, Roy Nichols It's All in the Movies 1976
Living with The Shades Pulled Down Tiny Moore
Stingaree
Gambling Polka Dot Blues Roy Nichols, Norm Hamlet The Roots of My Raising
Glen Hardin, Norm Hamlet, Roy Nichols A Working Man Can't Get Nowhere Today 1977
Silver Wings Don Markham Live from Austin, TX ’78 1978
Old Fashioned LoveMark Yeary, Roy Nichols
Brain Cloudy Blues
Norm Hamlet, Don Markham
Got Lonely Too Early Don Markham, Jimmy Capps Serving 190 Proof 1979
Roy Nichols, Don Markham The Way I Am 1980
Don Markham Back to the Barrooms
Gordon Terry, Roy Nichols Songs for the Mama That Tried 1981
Roy Nichols Rainbow Stew Live at Anaheim Stadium
Mark Yeary, Don Markham
Fiddle Breakdown Tiny Moore, Gordon Terry
Good Old American Guest Mark Yeary, Tiny Moore Big City
Don Markham, Norm Hamlet, Roy Nichols
I Can’t Hold Myself in Line Roy Nichols, Don Markham, Jimmy Murphy, Norm Hamlet Johnny Paycheck’s Mr. Hag Told My Story
Blue Yodel #2Norm Hamlet, Don Markham The Epic Collection (Recorded Live) 1983
Tiny Moore
Roy Nichols
You Can’t Break the Chains of Love Norm Hamlet Heart to Heart
Waitin’ on the Good Life to Come Roy Nichols, Mark Yeary
Don't Ever Let Your Love Sleep Alone Mark Yeary
Sally Let Your Bangs Hang Down Tiny Moore, Jimmy Belken, Roy Nichols, Mark Yeary, Norm Hamlet
All I Want to Do Is Sing My Song Tiny Moore It's All in the Game 1984
Jimmy Belken
You Nearly Lose Your Mind Norm Hamlet, Roy Nichols
The Okie from Muskogee's Comin' Home Roy Nichols, Mark Yeary Live from Austin, TX ‘85 1985
Gary Church
I Knew the Moment I Lost YouNorm Hamlet
Norm Hamlet, Clint Strong, Jimmy Belken
The Okie from Muskogee's Comin' Home Roy Nichols, Clint Strong, Mark Yeary A Friend in California 1986
Broken Friend Mark Yeary 5:01 Blues 1989

Awards and recognition

Academy of Country Music Band of the Year Awards

Year ACM Band of the Year
1966 Nominated
1967
1968
1969 Winner
1970
1971
1972
1973Nominated
1974 Winner
1975
1976 Nominated
1977
1980
1981 Winner
1982 Nominated
1983
1984
1985
1987 Winner
1988 Nominated

Music City News Band of the Year Awards

Year Music City News Band of the Year
1971 Winner
1972

Academy of Country Music Awards Won With Merle Haggard

Year Award Recording
1969 Album of the Year Okie from Muskogee
Song of the Year Okie From Muskogee
Single of the Year

Country Music Association Awards Won With Merle Haggard

Year Award Recording
1970 Okie from Muskogee
Single of the Year Okie From Muskogee
1972 Let Me Tell You About a Song

Academy of Country Music Individual Nominations

Year Guitarist of the Year Steel Guitarist of the Year Keyboardist of the Year Bassist of the Year Drummer of the Year Fiddler of the Year Specialty Instrument Player of the Year Most Promising Vocalist Song(writer) of the Year
1965 - - George French - - - - - -
1966 - George French - - - - - -
1967 - - Jerry Ward Biff Adam - - - -
1968 - - - Biff Adam - - - -
1969 - - Biff Adam - - -
1970 - - - Dennis Hromek Biff Adam - Bobby Wayne -
1971 - - Dennis Hromek Biff Adam - - -
1972 - Dennis Hromek Biff Adam - - - -
1973 - - - Biff Adam - - - -
1974 - - - - Biff Adam - - - -
1975 - - - - Biff Adam - - - -
1976 - - - - Biff Adam - - - -
1978 - - - - - - - -
1979 - - - - - - -
1980 - - - - - - - -
1981 - - Biff Adam - - - -
1982 - - - - - Don Markham - -
1983 - - - - - - - Gary Church
1987 - Mark Yeary - Biff Adam - - - -
1988 - - - - - - - -

Members in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Stranger Year Inducted Band Inducted With Inducted By
1999 Texas Playboys Chris Isaak
Johnny Meeks 2012Blue Caps Smokey Robinson

Merle Haggard’s poem for the Strangers

For the back cover of their 1973 album Totally Instrumental...With One Exception, Merle wrote the following poem for the Strangers:

When Hag passes on

To the great unknown

They'll find written on the front

Of my headstone

“Here lies a man

Who had a hell-of-a-band

And who would never had made it alone.”

Further reading

Author Book Year
Charles R. Townsend San Antonio Rose 1976
Sing Me Back Home 1981
Tiny Moore Mandolin Method 1982
Jonny Whiteside Ramblin' Rose: The Life and Career of Rose Maddox 1997
For The Record 1999
Workin' Man Blues 1999
Susan VanHecke Race With The Devil 2000
My First 90 Years Plus 3 2007
Gary Church Autobiography of a Nobody 2012
Freddy Powers The Spree of '83 2017
Rachel Lee Rubin Okie from Muskogee 2018
Fuzzy Owen Merle Haggard, Bonnie Owens, & Me 2019
Raymond H. McDonald Merle Haggard was a Friend of Mine 2021
David Cantwell The Running Kind 2022
Marc Eliot The Hag: The Life, Times, and Music of Merle Haggard 2022

Notes and References

  1. The Life & Times of Merle Haggard. October 1, 2009 . Rolling Stone.
  2. News: Merle Haggard Obituary . April 6, 2016 . The Guardian.
  3. News: Roy Nichols; Merle Haggard's Guitarist . July 4, 2001 . Los Angeles Times.
  4. News: Country star Ralph Mooney Dies . March 22, 2011 . Variety.
  5. News: My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers . April 11, 2012 . Country Music Hall of Fame.
  6. News: Country Music Star, Wife of Local Legends Dies. April 25, 2006 . The Bakersfield Californian.
  7. Book: The Bakersfield Sound: Hag Gets Hard . https://books.google.com/books?id=xf9FDwAAQBAJ&q=%22gene+price%22+haggard&pg=PA33 . 2018 . Merle Haggard's Okie from Muskogee. 9781501321450. Rubin. Rachel Lee. Bloomsbury Publishing USA .
  8. News: Eddie Burris Helped Make 'Okie from Muskogee' a Hit . April 20, 2011 . Tulsa World.
  9. News: Merle Haggard: Under the Growl, a Crooner . July 29, 1993 . The New York Times.
  10. News: Merle Haggard . July 2014 . Vintage Guitar.
  11. Book: Merle Haggard. https://books.google.com/books?id=7Mo7xm-X1r4C&q=%22marcia+nichols%22+haggard&pg=PA193 . 1997. All Music Guide To Country. 9780879304751. Erlewine. Michael. Hal Leonard Corporation .
  12. News: Ronnie Reno, Bluegrass Music's Youngest Old Timer . July 1, 2013 . Bluegrass Unlimited.
  13. Book: Merle Haggard. https://books.google.com/books?id=7Mo7xm-X1r4C&q=%22a+song+sung+by+the+strangers%27+rhythm+guitarist%22&pg=PA193 . 1997. AllMusic Guide To Country. 9780879304751. Erlewine. Michael. Hal Leonard Corporation .
  14. News: Johnny Meeks, Former Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Guitarist, Dead at 78 . August 2, 2015 . Guitar World.
  15. Book: Jimmy Tittle . https://books.google.com/books?id=qjXc4qmQvCcC&q=%22jimmy+tittle%22+haggard&pg=PA218 . 2004 . I Still Miss Someone. 9781581823981. Waddell. Hugh. Cumberland House .
  16. Book: Addiction . https://books.google.com/books?id=vO15ig_GBI0C&q=%22jimmy+tittle%22+haggard&pg=PA209. 2006 . Johnny Cash: The Biography. 9780306815911. Streissguth. Michael. Hachette Books .
  17. Don Markham, Longtime Merle Haggard Band Member, Dead at Age 85 . February 27, 2017 . Rolling Stone.
  18. News: Eldon Shamblin, 82, Guitarist for Texas Playboys . August 8, 1988 . The New York Times.
  19. News: Obituary: Eldon Shamblin . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-eldon-shamblin-1171141.html . 2022-06-18 . subscription . live . August 12, 1998 . The Independent.
  20. News: Merle Haggard Talks Music and Life. February 29, 2012 . U-T San Diego.
  21. News: Tiny Moore & Jethro Burns: Back To Back . April 7, 2005 . All About Jazz.
  22. Watch Merle Haggard's 'Austin City Limits' Debut . April 18, 2016 . Rolling Stone.
  23. News: Funeral Services Scheduled for Fiddler Gordon Terry . https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184835/http://www.cmt.com/news/1528263/funeral-services-scheduled-for-fiddler-gordon-terry/ . dead . June 13, 2018 . April 10, 2006 . CMT.
  24. News: Merle Haggard . April 10, 1995 . The Washington Post.
  25. Book: I’ll Die With Them, If They’ll Keep Me That Long . https://books.google.com/books?id=vUlMJrFzH6EC&q=belken+%22mel+tillis%22&pg=PA202 . 2002 . The Light Crust Doughboys Are On The Air. 9781574411515. Dempsey. John Mark. University of North Texas Press .
  26. News: Merle Haggard's Performance Rewards Audience's Wait . January 16, 1984 . The Oklahoman.
  27. News: Merle Haggard . June 10, 1989 . Tulsa World.
  28. Ornery . February 12, 1990 . The New Yorker.
  29. News: Merle Haggard's Diverse Influences . November 25, 2015 . SFGate.