Introduction:
In the long tradition of country music, the most memorable moments are often not found in chart statistics or award speeches, but in the quiet, unguarded stories artists tell about one another. Few tales capture that spirit better than Alan Jackson’s unforgettable encounter with one of his greatest heroes—the legendary Merle Haggard.
For Alan Jackson, Merle Haggard was more than a fellow artist. He was a guiding light, a living embodiment of the honesty and grit that defined classic country music. Jackson has never hidden his admiration for Haggard, often speaking of him with reverence. Yet, true to his own straightforward nature, Alan Jackson tells his stories exactly as they happened—even when they involve a hero delivering an unintentionally hilarious insult.
The story resurfaced in 2021, when Jackson released his 18th studio album, Where Have You Gone. As part of the album’s promotion, he sat down for an interview with The Tennessean, where conversation turned to the final track on the record, a cover of That’s the Way Love Goes. The song carries deep roots in country history, first recorded by Lefty Frizzell and later immortalized by Merle Haggard in the early 1980s, when it became the title track of Haggard’s 1983 album.
Naturally, Jackson’s decision to include the song was no coincidence. He explained that recording it was his way of honoring Merle Haggard after his passing—much in the same spirit Haggard had once honored Lefty Frizzell. It was a musical tribute layered with respect, lineage, and gratitude.
But as often happens in country music lore, reverence soon gave way to laughter.
During the interview, Jackson recalled a period when he and Haggard were touring together. Known for insisting on good backstage catering to satisfy his “country appetite,” Jackson took pride in the food provided on the road. One night, Merle Haggard found himself sampling the spread—including one dessert in particular: a lemon icebox pie made from Alan Jackson’s mother’s recipe.
According to Jackson, the moment was classic Haggard. When asked how the food was, Merle replied that it was pretty good—then added a blunt warning: “But don’t eat that goddamn yellow pie.”
Jackson couldn’t help but laugh as he retold the story. He admitted that he never told Merle the pie had been made by his own mother. “He was just that way,” Jackson said fondly. “He was crazy. He was funny.”
The story captures Merle Haggard exactly as fans remember him—unfiltered, honest, and unintentionally hilarious. It also highlights the deep affection beneath the humor, a bond formed on the road and strengthened by shared respect for country music’s roots.
In a genre built on storytelling, this moment deserves its place among the great road tales. And while Merle Haggard may be gone, stories like these ensure his spirit—and his sharp tongue—remain very much alive.