Merle Haggard was born on April 6th, 1937 in Oildale, CA, and passed away on his 79th birthday in 2016.

Following a tumultuous childhood which led to stints in juvenile detention, and ultimately San Quentin Prison, Haggard was able to re-direct and focus his energies on music-making. Throughout the 1960s Haggard helped to create what is referred to as the Bakersfield country sound, regarded as an antidote to the more-saccharine and diluted arrangements coming from Nashville in the era.

Over the course of a six decade career, Haggard had 38 number one hit singles on the US country music charts, and was inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Kennedy Center honors.

WUMB will share Merle Haggard’s throughout the day on Wednesday.

Hear the Artist of the Day features in the 9 AM, noon, 3 PM, and 7 PM hours each weekday.