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In honor of what would have been outlaw country icon Merle Haggard’s birthday yesterday, fellow troubadour Jamey Johnson is tipping his hat in the best way he knows how—with a song.
Johnson has released a heartfelt take on Haggard’s 2010 deep cut “Pretty When It’s New,” produced by The Kent Hardly Playboys and recorded at The Moose Lodge, with T.W. Cargile behind the board. The track is available now across all streaming platforms, offering fans a gritty, reverent nod to one of country music’s most enduring voices.
Born in 1937, Haggard remains one of the most influential figures in the genre’s history. The California native was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977, and later received a prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2010. During that ceremony, Johnson joined Willie Nelson and Kid Rock for a rousing performance of “Ramblin’ Fever.”
Johnson’s connection to Haggard ran far deeper than admiration. Introduced by Bobby Bare in 2008, the two quickly formed a bond that extended beyond the stage. From late-night phone calls to swapping stories about music, fishing, and life on the road, their friendship became a defining chapter in Johnson’s career.
They shared the spotlight numerous times, including a memorable 2012 performance at the Ohio State Fair, where Johnson joined Haggard on “Long Black Veil”—a moment many saw as a symbolic passing of the torch. The pair also teamed up on “Heaven Was a Drink of Wine” and recorded “I Fall to Pieces” for Johnson’s 2012 tribute album Livin’ for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran.
Haggard also cut “It’s All Going to Pot,” co-written by Johnson alongside Buddy Cannon and Larry Shell, with Nelson for the 2015 album Django & Jimmie—a fan-favorite from the duo’s final collaboration.
A staple in Johnson’s live shows, Haggard’s songs like “Mama Tried” and “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink” have long been part of his setlist. Following Haggard’s passing in 2016 at age 79, Johnson stepped in to fill several scheduled dates alongside Nelson, ensuring the music carried on.
Shortly after Haggard’s death, Johnson penned a moving tribute for Rolling Stone, writing:
“Merle Haggard was a mentor to me. But more than that, he cared about me… Merle taught me how to make music, and that’s how I make my living and feed my family today. I couldn’t owe anybody a greater debt of gratitude than I owe Merle Haggard.”
