Author Raymond H. McDonald wrote this book as a tribute to his lifelong friend, Merle Haggard. Merle had millions of fans who were passionate about his music. This memoir chronicles the life a humble man from humble beginnings in California. His legacy is well established in hundreds of articles written about him in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine, USA Today Newspaper, The Los Angeles Times, and dozens of others. His 50 plus year career garnered Merle the highest awards that are given to an artist, ie; Lifetime Grammy, Country Music Hall of Fame, Kennedy Center Honors, Songwriters Hall of Fame. This is a positive book that Merle's fans will enjoy. He was a kind and ornery man, very funny and very serious. He was a proud American and loved every State and the people in it. This memoir is meant as a tribute to a lifelong friend and country music icon, Merle Haggard.