(Ronald), American country singer, songwriter, fiddler, and guitarist; b. Bakersfield, Cal., Apr. 6, 1937. Haggard's impoverished family moved to California, where they lived in an abandoned boxcar near Bakersfield.

Haggard started early on a criminal career. He escaped seven times from reform schools, stole cars, and held up a bar. He finally ended up at San Quentin as prisoner No. 845,200. There he met the notorious "red-light bandit" Caryl Chessman, eventually executed for a series of brutal rapes. Chessman exercised a profound influence on Haggard, who began improvising songs of destitution, despair, and crime, exemplified by the autobiographical line, "Did you ever steal a quarter when you was ten years old?"

Haggard reformed himself on his release in 1960, and began performing in the Bakersfield area. He made his first recordings for the tiny Tally label, scoring a minor hit in 1963 with Sing a Sad Song. Capitol bought out his contract, and he made it to the top of the country charts with 1965's (All My Friends Are Going to Be) Strangers; he immediately named his backup band the Strangers in honor of the song. I'm a Lonesome Fugitive, based on his prison experiences, followed in 1966.

Haggard reached the height of his fame—and notoriety—with the release in 1968 of the anti-antiwar song, Okie from Muskogee. In it, Haggard criticized the hippie movement, and those who opposed the draft and preached free love. He also released The Fightin' Side of Me as another expression of his support for the Vietnam War.

In the late '60s and early '70s, Haggard made several theme albums to celebrate influential figures in country music history, including "the singing brakeman," JIMMIE RODGERS and Western Swing pioneer BOB WILLS. In terms of commercial success, his greatest period was the early '70s, when he scored nine No. 1 country hits in a row.

Haggard's chart-topping days ended, though, by the mid-'70s. Despite his lack of status as a record seller, Haggard continues to tour tirelessly, and is a popular performer on the country circuit. Occasional divorces, bankruptcies, and other crises only sharpen his image as the weathered country star he has become.