Been a Haggard fan since before he was widespread popular. I jumped the fence at the Hollywood Bowl in '79 and saw Waylon, Willie and Merle. Merle opened, then Waylon. After Willie did his solo set, of course Waylon joined in. Merle came out too, but he didn't fit the outlaw image quite like the other two. That's funny, because of the 3, I think Merle is the only one to have spent some time in jail. 3 years in San Quentin where he eventually joined the prison band.
A lot of his songs hit the mark if you've been a worker bee far any length on time. I'm not sure the genteel class hears much beyond the tune. To wit:
MERLE HAGGARD - Mama's Hungry Eyes - YouTube