The Outlaw Before the King: Merle Haggard’s Influence on George Strait

Before George Strait earned the title “King of Country,” there was Merle Haggard—the working-class poet, the outlaw philosopher, and the voice of America’s overlooked. With songs like Mama Tried and Okie from Muskogee, Haggard gave country music grit and honesty, staying true to tradition while speaking to those who felt left behind.

By the early 1980s, Nashville was drifting toward polished pop-country. Yet Haggard had already proven that country could remain raw and unfiltered, without losing its heart. George Strait took note. While Strait would never wear the “outlaw” badge in the same way, he absorbed the lessons Haggard embodied: real country music depends on storytelling and tradition—not gimmicks or flash.

Two Paths, One Spirit

At first glance, George Strait and Merle Haggard could not have seemed more different. Haggard carried the rough edges of a man who had served time in prison before rising to stardom, while Strait was polished and private, a rodeo cowboy who always appeared impeccable under his hat. Yet both men shared a deep respect for the roots of country music.

Strait openly admired Haggard’s songwriting, once calling him one of the greatest songwriters country music had ever seen. Growing up, Strait immersed himself in Haggard’s Bakersfield sound—the sharp Telecasters, the aching steel guitars, and the storytelling that was as rugged as it was poetic.

Sharing the Stage

Throughout the years, the two icons crossed paths at tours, award shows, and tribute concerts. Strait never missed the opportunity to honor Haggard, often tipping his hat and speaking of him with reverence. When Haggard performed, Strait frequently watched with the admiration of a fan, not just a fellow artist.

One of their most memorable moments together came in 2014, during Strait’s The Cowboy Rides Away farewell tour. As the curtain was closing on Strait’s touring career, he invited Haggard to join him on stage. Fans described the moment as symbolic—a passing of the torch from the outlaw to the king, where two eras of country music stood hand in hand.

When Haggard Passed

On April 6, 2016—his 79th birthday—Merle Haggard passed away. For George Strait, it was a personal loss as well as a cultural one. He released a heartfelt tribute, calling Haggard “a true hero of mine, and one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time.”

In the concerts that followed, Strait often included one of Haggard’s songs in his setlists. This was not mere nostalgia. It was a way of honoring a man who had shaped the very foundation of modern country. Strait understood that the music he loved was built on the shoulders of legends like Merle.

Carrying the Legacy

George Strait never tried to imitate Haggard. He did not wear the outlaw label, nor did he sing about prison life or cultural protests. Instead, he carried forward the core lesson Haggard had taught: country music must always remain honest. Whether in the heartfelt storytelling of Amarillo by Morning or the romantic sincerity of I Cross My Heart, Strait made authenticity the center of his artistry.

Haggard embodied the restless outlaw, while Strait became the steady king. Yet together, they form a golden thread that ties country music across generations—different in style but united in spirit.

A Living Tribute

Even today, when George Strait steps on stage, echoes of Merle Haggard linger in the music—the sound of fiddles, the sorrow of steel guitars, and the refusal to chase fleeting trends. Strait himself once said: “If you want to know what country music should sound like, listen to Merle Haggard.”

Perhaps that is the greatest tribute of all: the King of Country reminding the world that before him stood the outlaw who kept the music true.