Merle Haggard Biopic Coming to Amazon

Merle Haggard Biopic Coming to Amazon

Amazon has plans for a Merle Haggard biopic, according to Deadline.

Based on Merle’s 1981 memoir, Sing Me Back Home, the upcoming flick is set to be directed by Robin Bissell, who is also co-writing the script with Merle’s widow, Theresa Haggard. Oscar-winning actor Sam Rockwell is in talks to play Merle. The film will be set in the 1960s during the early part of Merle’s career.

The entire music world lost a true legend when Merle died on April 6, 2016—his 79th birthday—from complications of double pneumonia. He was born on April 6, 1937, in Bakersfield, Calif. He often reflected on his hardscrabble childhood, being raised primarily by his mother following the death of his father when Merle was a boy. He rebelled against his strict and stern mother, running away from home regularly and spending time in reform schools.

Merle truly knew what the hard-living “outlaw” lifestyle was all about. He spent time in San Quentin State Prison in California in the late 1950s for an attempted robbery (Merle was later pardoned for his crime by California governor Ronald Reagan). But after being released in 1960, Merle turned his life around­ and changed country music in the process. He was always attracted to music and songwriting, and he became inspired to pursue the life of an artist after seeing Johnny Cash perform at San Quentin in 1958.

Over the course of his Hall of Fame career, Merle recorded iconic songs like “Mama Tried,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” “Okie From Muskogee,” “Big City” and many more.

photo by AFF-USA.com

Blogs

Jackson Dean Has Poured Everything He Has Into His Music

Jackson Dean, known for his high-energy live performances, will be releasing his new single "Be Your Man" on May 9. The country rocker's intense stage presence, highlighted by moments of pushing himself to the point of blacking out, has fueled his successful career following his 2022 chart-topping debut single, "Don't Come Lookin'." With a distinct…

Jackson Dean Has Poured Everything He Has Into His Music

Jackson Dean, known for his high-energy live performances, will be releasing his new single “Be Your Man” on May 9. The country rocker’s intense stage presence, highlighted by moments of pushing himself to the point of blacking out, has fueled his successful career following his 2022 chart-topping debut single, “Don’t Come Lookin’.” With a distinct…

LOCASH Share Insight Into New Album ‘Bet The Farm’

Chart-topping Nashville country duo LOCASH recently joined Rob + Holly on the Friday Night Takeover to discuss their forthcoming album, Bet The Farm, which is set to be released on Friday (April 18). LOCASH members Chris Lucas and Preston Brust shared insight into their highly-anticiapted new record, which features their current hit single, “Hometown Home,”…

LOCASH Share Insight Into New Album ‘Bet The Farm’

Chart-topping Nashville country duo LOCASH recently joined Rob + Holly on the Friday Night Takeover to discuss their forthcoming album, Bet The Farm, which is set to be released on Friday (April 18). LOCASH members Chris Lucas and Preston Brust shared insight into their highly-anticiapted new record, which features their current hit single, “Hometown Home,”…

Zach Bryan Praises Bon Iver’s New Album, ‘SABLE, fABLE’

Zach Bryan recently took to his Instagram Stories to salute Bon Iver's latest album, SABLE, fABLE, expressing his admiration for the project that was released on April 11 to praise from fans and critics alike. Noteworthy for his consistent support of music he appreciates, the country superstar revealed that he has “Been with the record…

Zach Bryan Praises Bon Iver’s New Album, ‘SABLE, fABLE’

Zach Bryan recently took to his Instagram Stories to salute Bon Iver’s latest album, SABLE, fABLE, expressing his admiration for the project that was released on April 11 to praise from fans and critics alike. Noteworthy for his consistent support of music he appreciates, the country superstar revealed that he has “Been with the record…

Luke Bryan “Got Roped Into” Watching Katy Perry’s Spaceflight, “Wanted It To Not” Blow Up

During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday (April 15), Luke Bryan shared that he unexpectedly found himself intrigued by the livestream featuring fellow American Idol judge Katy Perry's all-female space flight on Monday (April 14). The country star's interest was piqued while scrolling through Instagram on his morning farm walk, leading him to…

Luke Bryan “Got Roped Into” Watching Katy Perry’s Spaceflight, “Wanted It To Not” Blow Up

During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday (April 15), Luke Bryan shared that he unexpectedly found himself intrigued by the livestream featuring fellow American Idol judge Katy Perry’s all-female space flight on Monday (April 14). The country star’s interest was piqued while scrolling through Instagram on his morning farm walk, leading him to…

Jelly Roll And Melissa Etheridge Selected As Co-Chairs For Mobilize Recovery’s 2025 College ‘Campus Surge’ Initiative

Mobilize Recovery has named Jelly Roll, Melissa Etheridge, and Noah Thompson as co-chairs for their 2025 Campus Surge initiative, which highlights their commitment to addiction recovery awareness and advocacy. The country singers will also be joined for this program by coach Scott Cochran and Sheriff Karl Leonard. Jelly Roll is known for both his music…

Jelly Roll And Melissa Etheridge Selected As Co-Chairs For Mobilize Recovery’s 2025 College ‘Campus Surge’ Initiative

Mobilize Recovery has named Jelly Roll, Melissa Etheridge, and Noah Thompson as co-chairs for their 2025 Campus Surge initiative, which highlights their commitment to addiction recovery awareness and advocacy. The country singers will also be joined for this program by coach Scott Cochran and Sheriff Karl Leonard. Jelly Roll is known for both his music…