Introduction:
While country singer Merle Haggard was making a name as a maverick of the “Bakersfield sound,” he was also welcoming his kids: Dana, Marty, Kelli, Noel, Jenessa and Ben.
The “Okie from Muskogee” singer, who died in 2016 from pneumonia complications, started his life on a difficult path, living in a boxcar in Bakersfield, Calif., and finding himself in and out of prison on increasingly serious charges, including burglary.
He had four children with his first wife, Leona Hobbs, but he wasn’t around much during their early years as he was often behind bars. “I’ve never been able to be the father I wanted to be,” he told PEOPLE in 1997.
“We didn’t have nothin’, ” his son Marty, who was born while his dad was incarcerated, recalled to KTBS in January 2020. It was in prison at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center where Merle saw Johnny Cash perform and decided to change his life and pursue music. “When they finally released him in 1960, he came out with a dream to do something through music,” Marty remembered.
Merle was a huge success by the time he welcomed his two youngest children with his fifth wife, Theresa Ann Lane. He was able to repair the relationship with his older kids and be present for his younger children while they grew up — and even made several of them part of his band and took them on tour.
Here’s everything to know about Merle Haggard’s kids: Dana, Marty, Kelli, Noel, Jenessa and Ben.
Merle become a dad in 1957
The “Mama Tried” singer was just about to turn 20 years old when he became a father for the first time. He and then-wife Leona welcomed their oldest child, daughter Dana Haggard, in 1957. Dana was followed by siblings Marty, Kelli and Noel before Merle and Leona divorced in 1964.
Three decades later, in 1993, Merle married his fifth wife, Theresa Ann Lane, with whom he welcomed his younger kids, Jenessa and Ben. Merle and Theresa were together until Merle’s 2016 death.
Merle’s kids were involved in his music career
Many of the “The Bottle Let Me Down” singer’s children inherited his musical talent. Some performed as part of his band The Strangers, while others toured with him in their own musical projects and opened for him.
According to Marty’s bio on his website, the country singer learned a lot about music as he “was able to travel with his dad and witness the writing and recording of all his great songs,” as well as having “the opportunity to know many of the country greats, like Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, and Johnny Cash.”
Ben also learned a lot from his dad, but never felt forced into the family business. “He never said, ‘You have to play music,’ ” Ben told Fender. Instead, his approach was “here’s what I can do and what I can show you about it,” Ben said.
Ben eventually became the lead guitarist for The Strangers at just 15 years old.
“There were no minor leagues involved,” he told Fender of the experience. “It went straight to the major leagues. I never had any experience on stage, and I had to adapt or essentially not play. I can’t say that I regret it, because it taught me a lot of things.”
Ben and Noel still play with The Strangers while working on solo projects, and Marty has worked on a series of tribute albums called My Dad.
Meanwhile, Dana was a backup singer and at one point had her own project with Marty called Marty and Dana and the Driftwood Band. Kelli also worked with Merle, including co-writing his song “It’s All in the Movies.”
Merle’s daughter Jenessa, however, hasn’t joined her family in the limelight. Instead, according to her Instagram bio, she is a nursing student and a mother of two girls.
Merle loved bringing his family with him to events
Merle often brought his kids to awards shows and events that he attended. When he was honored with the Poet’s Award at the 2009 American Country Music Honors, Jenessa was by his side to support him.
Five years later, Ben stood beside his dad on the red carpet at the 2014 Grammy Awards, which ended up being Merle’s final appearance at the show.
Even after his death, Merle’s kids continued to support him at major events. A number of them even reunited at the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards, one month after he died. At the event, Toby Keith teamed up with Merle’s band The Strangers (including Ben) to honor the icon by playing some of his hit songs.
Ben announced Merle’s death in 2016
Merle’s youngest child, Ben, was the one to announce Merle’s death in April 2016, with a heartfelt statement on Facebook. “A week ago, Dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong,” Ben shared at the time.
“[An] hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends,” he added. “He loved everything about life and he loved that every one of you gave him a chance with his music.”
“He wasn’t just a country singer,” Ben concluded. “He was the best country singer that ever lived.”
Dana died in 2018
The country crooner’s oldest child, Dana, died just two years after her father on April 10, 2018. She is survived by her husband and five children.
Ben confirmed the news in a since-deleted post on Instagram, per Taste of Country, writing, “I know she’s hugging dads arm again. I’ll miss you, sister. RIP.”
According to the outlet, Kelli also shared in Ben’s feelings, telling the Bakersfield Californian that Dana was her “best friend” and they talked several times a day.
“This is like having a limb removed,” she said.
Merle’s kids work hard to keep his memory alive
Merle’s children remember their father fondly and want the rest of the world to do the same. For Father’s Day in June 2014, Ben shared a touching tribute to his dad on Instagram.
“Everyone thinks you know him and in a lot of ways you do through his music cause it’s honest,” Ben wrote. “But I’ve seen a different side, a father. He has been the best dad anyone could ask for. He has shared the gift of music, what love should be, and how to be a friend and keep your word… I love you dad.”
Similarly, Marty told KTBS in 2020 that Merle was just a normal dad at home.
“He never has been anything more than just dad to me,” he said. “And if I look at him as anything other than just my dad, that’s extremely dysfunctional…. My dad’s always gonna be nothing but my dad to me, he’s only Merle Haggard to y’all.”
Though Marty misses his father, he’s grateful to have his music catalog to help him feel closer to the music legend. “Even though Dad’s gone … those songs bring him back to me right now. Take me back to a moment in our relationship,” he said.
“Trying to pick one of my dad’s favorite songs for me would be like trying to pick one of my favorite kids,” he added.