2022 Marty Haggard: A Tribute to Merle Haggard

Marty was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. Of course, everyone knows his Dad, Merle Haggard. Marty considers his dad the greatest singer/songwriter ever and I’m sure a lot of people agree with that. Growing up, Marty was able to travel with his dad and witness the writing and recording of all his great songs. He also had the opportunity to know many of the country greats, like Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, and Johnny Cash, just to name a few.

It’s obvious Marty was influenced by the legendary artists and their music while traveling with his dad. In 1979, Marty began touring with his own band, signing with Dimension Records in 1981. From 1983 to 1985, Marty toured with his dad, playing guitar and singing harmony. Marty signed with MTM Records in 1986 and released Trains Make Me Lonesome, which garnered him a nomination as best new male vocalist. Marty signed with Critique/BMG in 1995 and after some time decided to leave the Nashville lifestyle behind.

In 1999, Marty and his wife, Tessa, formed Marty Haggard Music and Marty began writing and singing spiritual songs inspired by his life spent with his Grandma Haggard after his mom and dad were divorced. For the next ten years, Marty traveled the country with his wife and son, Jamey, not as a preacher, but just to sing and proclaim his love and personal relationship with Jesus. He still found time to go back to his roots and play country venues, also.

Marty’s love for his dad and his music eventually inspired him to begin a new project, which he titled A Tribute to Merle Haggard “My Dad”. In 2010, he recorded the first album of this project with a 15 song CD of Hag classics. This led to a tribute show in Branson, Mo, where he performed for two years. In 2011, Marty released A Tribute to Merle Haggard “My Dad’ Volume 2. He then took the show on the road throughout the country plus Canada, Ireland, Scotland and England.