OldiesButGoodies

Country

Why Alan Jackson Called Merle Haggard CRAZY?

Alan Jackson Honors Merle Haggard on New Album 'Where Have You Gone'

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.

Video:

https://youtu.be/n7N25NTnDjg?si=uX1mgDNW-G0Vk1O5

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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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