OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins perform a duet of “Today I Started Loving You Again” on The Ralph Emery Special from 1969.

Introduction:

There are certain moments in the history of country music that seem to shimmer with timeless grace—moments when two icons step onto the same stage and deliver not just a song, but a shared legacy. One such moment took place in 1969 on The Ralph Emery Special, when Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins came together for a heartfelt duet of “Today I Started Loving You Again.” It’s a performance that remains etched in the hearts of those who witnessed it, and one that continues to move generations of listeners with its emotional sincerity and the effortless chemistry between two of country music’s most revered voices.

Originally penned by Merle Haggard along with Bonnie Owens, “Today I Started Loving You Again” was first released in 1968. Though it surprisingly didn’t climb the charts at the time of its release as a single, the song has since become one of Haggard’s most enduring classics—covered by countless artists and embraced as a staple of traditional country balladry. Its slow, aching melody and introspective lyrics speak to the universal experience of rekindled love and the persistent pull of old emotions that never quite fade.

When Marty Robbins, the smooth-voiced storyteller known for timeless songs like “El Paso” and “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife,” joined Haggard in this performance, it was more than a duet—it was a gentle dialogue between two giants. Robbins’ warm tenor brought a polished contrast to Haggard’s rugged, soul-worn baritone, creating a balance that elevated the emotional impact of the song. The performance is deeply human, never overdone, and reflects the mutual respect and admiration shared between the two artists.

The setting of The Ralph Emery Special added a special kind of intimacy to the moment. Emery, a trusted voice and broadcaster in country music, had a knack for bringing out the most genuine side of his guests. Under his watchful, respectful eye, the 1969 rendition of “Today I Started Loving You Again” became not only a tribute to Haggard’s songwriting brilliance but also a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Robbins’ vocal phrasing subtly underscores the lyrics’ themes of regret and renewal, while Haggard’s original conviction in the lines reminds us why he remains one of country’s most authentic voices.

What’s remarkable is how the song—simple in structure yet profound in message—manages to remain fresh and relevant, even over half a century later. It speaks to something deeply human: how we navigate the bittersweet terrain of love lost and rediscovered. And when voices like Merle Haggard and Marty Robbins carry that message, it becomes something more than a song. It becomes a moment to treasure.

In this rare duet, captured during a golden age of country music television, listeners are offered a glimpse into the heart of the genre itself: honest, soulful, and steeped in lived experience. For fans of classic country—or anyone seeking music that resonates beyond its time—this performance is not to be missed.

Video:

https://youtu.be/81ehv00dgEQ?si=bDGk8a31b5sMCn9i

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

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