My House of Memories: An Autobiography

Merle Haggard is the author of Sing Me Back Home. He has recorded forty-one number one hits.

Tom Carter is a Nashville journalist who has collaborated on autobiographies of major country superstars, including Glen Campbell, Ralph Emery, Reba McEntire, and George Jones.

Tom Carter is a Nashville journalist who has collaborated on autobiographies of major country superstars, including Glen Campbell, Ralph Emery, Reba McEntire, and George Jones.

In this riveting personal story, award-winning,bestselling country musicrecording artist Merle Haggard takesyou on a tour through his house ofmemories, offering a fascinating lookinside his turbulent yet successful life.Merle reveals the true stories about hisbirth and troubled upbringing in a convertedrailroad boxcar. He recalls the lossof his father when he was nine, after whichhis childhood disobedience transformedinto full-blown delinquency that eventuallylanded him behind the cold walls ofSan Quentin. He gives tribute to hismother and relives the painful memoryof her death. He shares the lessons helearned from a life shaped by violence,gambling, and drugs, never shying awayfrom the fact that he continues to pay fordecades of reckless living. And he talksabout the music he loves—how, ultimately,it has defined the man he is.

Merle is an American original classic legend. He’s every singer-songwriter’s hero. He’s a great singer. I asked George Jones who his favorite singer was, and he said Merle Haggard. God really blessed ol’ Merle. He’s the real deal! — Alan Jackson

When I started to have to deal with all those things that have to do with real life, that’s when Merle’s music started to make sense to me.” — Emmylou Harris