Marty 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 began writing and singing spiritual songs inspired by his life spent 
with his Grandma Haggard after his mom and dad were divorced. There were also 
many struggles growing up the son of such a famous father. For the next ten years, 
Marty traveled the country with his wife and son, 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", VolumeTwo. He then took the show 
on the road throughout the country, as well as Canada, Ireland, Scotland and 
England.  Marty now travels a little less, but still performs in many parts of the USA.
As Marty’s song, Apple, proclaims, “the apple never falls too far from its tree".