Tanya Tucker Reflects on Friendship with Merle Haggard
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In a recent interview, Tanya Tucker, the celebrated country artist, reminisced about her deep-rooted friendship with the late Merle Haggard, who passed away in 2016. The connection between the two musicians spanned decades, with Tucker recalling her admiration and youthful escapades surrounding Haggard, who was 21 years her senior.
During an appearance on The Adam Carolla Show, the 67-year-old singer recounted a particularly audacious moment from her youth when she sneaked out of her house to meet Haggard. “I ran away with him,” Tucker revealed, explaining how she boarded a flight to Texas just to spend time with her idol. However, her father soon caught on to her escapade while she was en route in Meridian, Mississippi.
Undeterred by the incident, Tucker expressed her desire to learn about Haggard’s everyday life. “I just wanted to hang out with him,” she said, adding that their bond blossomed into a lifelong friendship. “We ended up being best friends right up until the day he died,” she reflected, evoking the memories they shared over the years.
Recently, during a visit to Nashville, Tucker spent quality time with Haggard’s family. She joined his widow, Theresa, and his sons, Noel and Benny, for a cookout at her daughter’s home. “Seeing all the Haggards and the Tuckers in the kitchen was pretty funny,” Tucker noted, adding that they reminisced about Haggard and celebrated his legacy as they listened to his music.
The roots of Tucker’s admiration for Haggard date back to her early career. In 1974, she had the opportunity to perform alongside him at a show in New York City, where she sang her hit “Delta Dawn” at the tender age of 15. Although she enjoyed the company of several high-profile men in her life, including Glen Campbell and Don Johnson, Tucker later admitted to harbouring a crush on Haggard.
In a candid interview with the New York Daily News in 1997, she revealed that while they spent significant time together on his tour bus, she hadn’t pursued a physical relationship with Haggard. “We fooled around some. But for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to actually have sex with him,” she explained, attributing the hesitation to his iconic status.
Beyond her personal anecdotes, Tucker has also addressed the profound influence other artists have had on her life and career. In a recent discussion about her late friend, Dolly Parton, Tucker acknowledged how her musical influences have evolved over time. “When I was a kid growing up in music, my heroes were mostly men—Elvis and Merle,” Tucker recounted, noting how she initially identified more with male musicians than female ones.
However, she has since come to appreciate the artistry and strength of women in the industry. “Now I’ve changed my mind,” she stated, praising Parton for her remarkable ability to command respect while maintaining a unique charisma. “She could cuss you out and make you like it,” Tucker quipped, highlighting Parton’s special talent for making impactful statements with grace.
Over the years, Tucker has remained an influential figure in the country music scene, known for her powerful voice and relatable lyrics. Her reflections not only celebrate her past connections but also illuminate the evolving landscape of country music and the role of female artists within it.
As she continues her journey through music and life, Tucker cherishes the memories of those who shaped her career, particularly the legendary Merle Haggard. Their friendship serves as a poignant reminder of the personal and professional bonds that can form in the world of music—transcending time and tragedy.