Everything about the late country singer’s sons and daughters

While country singer Merle Haggard Made a name as a Maverick of “Bakersfield Sound”, he also welcomed his children: Dana, Marty, Kelli, Noel, Jenessa and Ben.

“Okie from Muskogee” singer, who died in 2016 of complications of pneumonia, began his life on a difficult road, lived in a boxcar in Bakersfield, California, and was in and out of prison on increasingly serious accusations, including burglaries.

He had four children with his first wife, Leona Hobbs, but he was not much during their first year because he often stood behind bars. “I have never been able to be the father I wanted to be“He told People in 1997.

“We had nothing”, “his son Marty, who was born while his father was imprisoned, recalled KTB In January 2020. It was in prison in the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center where Merle Saw Johnny Cash Performs and decided to change their life and strive for music. “When they finally released him in 1960, he came out with a dream to do something through music,” Marty remembered.

Merle was a huge success when he welcomed his two youngest children with his fifth wife, Theresa Ann Lane. He was able to repair the relationship with his older children and be present for his younger children while they grew up – and even made several of them part of his band and took them on tour.

Here’s everything to know about Merle Haggard’s children: Dana, Marty, Kelli, Noel, Jenessa and Ben.

Merle became a father in 1957

“Mama Tested” singer was just about to turn 20 years old when he became the father for the first time. He and then Mrs. Leona welcomed his oldest child, daughter Dana Haggard, 1957. Dana was followed by siblings Marty, Kelli and Noel before Merle and Leona divorced in 1964.

Three decades later, in 1993, Merle married his fifth wife, Theresa Ann Lane, with whom he welcomed his younger children, Jenessa and Ben. Merle and Theresa were together until Merle’s death in 2016.

Merle’s children were involved in his music career

Many of the “bottle released me” the singer’s child inherited his musical talent. Some acted as part of his band The Strangers, while others toured with him in their own musical projects and opened to him.

According to Marty’s bio on his WebsiteCountry Singer learned a lot about music when he “could travel with his dad and witness the writing and recording of all his amazing songs”, as well as having “the opportunity to know many of the country’s greats, such as Bob Wills, Left frizzellAnd Johnny Cash. ”

Ben also learned a lot from his father, but never felt compelled into the family business. “He never said,” You have to play music, “Ben told Fender. Instead, his approach was “here is what I can do and what I can show you about it,” Ben said.

Ben eventually became the main guitarist for Strangers in just 15 years old.

“There were no minor leagues involved,” he told Fender about the experience. “It went straight to the big leagues. I never had any experience on stage and I had to adapt or basically not play. I can’t say I regret it, because it taught me a lot of things.”

Ben and Noel are still playing with strangers while working on solo projects, and Marty has worked with a series of tribute albums called My dad.

At the same time, Dana was a backup singer and at one point had her own project with Marty called Marty and Dana and Driftwood Band. Kelli also worked with Merle, including co -writing her song “It’s All In the Movies.”

However, Merle’s daughter Jenessa has not joined her family in the limelight. Instead, according to her Instagram cinema, she is a nursing student and a mother of two girls.

Merle loved to bring his family with her to events

Merle often brought his children to awards and events he participated. When he was honored with Poet’s Award at the American Country Music Honors in 2009, Jenessa was at his side to support him.

Five years later, Ben stood next to his father on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards 2014, which ended up being Merle’s final performance at the exhibition.

Even after his death, Merle’s children continued to support him at major events. A number of them even reunited at the 2016 American Country Countdown Awards, one month after he died. At the event, Toby Keith Collaborated with Merle’s band The Strangers (including Ben) to honor the icon by playing some of his hit songs.

Ben announced Merle’s death in 2016

Merle’s youngest child, Ben, was the one who Announces Merle’s death In April 2016, with a heartfelt statement on Facebook. “A week ago, Dad told him he would go on on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong,” split legs then.

“(An) hour ago he took his last breath surrounded by family and friends,” he added. “He loved everything about life and he loved that each of you gave him a chance with his music.”

“He was not just a country singer,” finished legs. “He was the best country singer ever lived.”

Dana died in 2018

Land’s Crooner’s oldest child, Dana, died just two years after her father on April 10, 2018. She is survived by her husband and five children.

Ben confirmed the news in a sedan-raised post on Instagram, Per Taste of landwrites, “I know she hugs Dad’s arm again. I’ll miss you, sister. Rip.”

According to the outlet, Kelli also shared in Ben’s features and told Bakerfield Californian That Dana was her “best friend” and they talked several times a day.

“This is like removing a limb,” she said.

Merle’s children work hard to keep his memory alive

Merle’s children remember his father and wants the rest of the world to do the same. For Father’s Day in June 2014, Ben shared a moving tribute to his father on Instagram.

“Everyone thinks you know him and in many ways you do through his music because it’s honest,” Ben wrote. “But I’ve seen another page, a father. He has been the best father someone could request. He has shared the gift of the music, what love should be and how to be a friend and keep your word … I love you dad.”

Similarly, Marty told KTB By 2020, Merle was just an ordinary father at home.

“He has never been anything more than just Dad to me,” he said. “And if I look at him as something other than just my dad, it’s extremely dysfunctional … My dad will always be something other than my dad for me, he’s just Merle Haggard to you.”

Although Marty lacks his father, he is grateful to have his music catalog to help him feel closer to the music legend. “Even though Dad is gone … Those songs take him back to me right now. Take me back to a moment in our relationship,” he said.

“Trying to choose one of my father’s favorite songs for me would be like trying to choose one of my favorite children,” he added.