Introduction:
Country music has always been about storytelling—whether through lyrics, life experiences, or the unforgettable moments shared between the genre’s biggest stars. One such moment came to light thanks to Alan Jackson, a living legend in his own right, as he recalled an amusing and heartwarming encounter with the great Merle Haggard—his hero, friend, and one of the most respected figures in the history of country music.
In May 2021, Alan Jackson released his 18th studio album Where Have You Gone, a heartfelt collection that showcased his traditional country roots. While promoting the album, Jackson sat down with The Tennessean for an in-depth interview. During the conversation, he opened up about the final track on the album: a cover of “That’s the Way Love Goes.” Originally performed by Lefty Frizzell, the song was famously reimagined by Merle Haggard in 1983. Jackson’s version served as a tribute to Merle, whom he deeply admired.
“I’ve been wanting to do something for Merle ever since he died,” Jackson shared. “I think it had been cut by a bunch of people, but I always heard Merle did ‘That’s the Way Love Goes’ as a tribute to Lefty. I did it kind of the same way—as a tribute to Merle.”
But as memorable as that tribute was, it was a humorous story involving a lemon pie that truly revealed the bond—and the lighthearted nature—between Jackson and Haggard. As Jackson recalled, the two had been on the road together during a series of shows. Known for taking good care of his crew and guests, Jackson made sure his backstage catering included some southern favorites. One of those items was a lemon icebox pie—a special recipe made by his mother.
Jackson laughed as he recounted what happened next. “My mama made this old lemon pie… a lemon icebox kinda pie. It was one of my favorites,” he said. “But not everybody likes it, you know. I just remember one time we came into catering, and Merle’s sitting in there, and the guy said, ‘Merle, how’s the food today?’ He said, ‘Oh, it’s pretty good, but don’t eat that goddamn yellow pie!’”
Though Jackson never told Merle that the pie came from his mom’s kitchen, he chuckled at the memory, adding, “He was just that way. He was crazy. He was funny.”
This small but charming tale is just one of countless stories from the road that illuminate the personalities behind the legends. It speaks not only to the camaraderie in country music but also to the humble, down-to-earth humor that artists like Merle Haggard brought to every encounter.
As fans of country music, we cherish these moments—not just for the laughter they bring, but for the glimpse they offer into the real lives of the artists we admire. Stories like these remind us that while the music is timeless, so too are the friendships and memories that come with it.
And as Alan Jackson proved once again, honoring a hero doesn’t always require solemn words—it can come wrapped in a slice of yellow pie and a whole lot of laughter.