Country musics longest reigning outlaw, Merle Haggard,died Wednesday, on his 79th birthday.
My first big concert was Merle Haggard and the Strangers, McEntire said in a statement to EW Wednesday.
Pake, Susie, and I were The Singing McEntires in junior high and high school.
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Pake sang Merle Haggard songs, I sang Loretta and Dolly songs, and Susie sang Ann Murray songs.
Susie and I sang harmony when Pake sang.
We all looked up to Merle Haggard.
And it was a thrill in my life when I got to work with him on the road.
We won state in 4-H club Share of the Fun contest singing Okie from Muskogee.'
She finished saying, Merle has been a part of my family for a long time.
He inspired me so much.
McEntire has covered Haggards standard Mama Tried in concert over the years.
Below is a live recording of her introduction and masterful interpretation of the tune.
