Some moments in music history are small—but echo forever. On July 26, 2003, Merle Haggard—long seen as the voice of traditional patriotism—did something unexpected: he publicly defended The Chicks, who were being blacklisted across America for criticizing President Bush.
Merle Haggard: A Cowboy Who Didn’t Stay Silent
“I didn’t even know who they were, but I thought it was a shame the way the country turned on them.”
That was Haggard’s remark in a bold interview, where he emphasized that freedom of speech isn’t reserved only for those we agree with.
At the time, The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) were being erased from radio, losing contracts, and attacked for their anti-war stance. While many country artists stayed silent—or joined the criticism—Merle chose to stand on the side of truth, even if he wasn’t familiar with the band.
Courage and belief in real American freedom
Merle Haggard had known prison, poverty, and the slow climb back through music. He didn’t support the war criticism—but he certainly didn’t support silencing those who did. For him, patriotism didn’t mean shutting people up.
Haggard’s words didn’t make major headlines at the time, but they quietly lit a fire of respect. It’s people like him who keep country music grounded in honesty, not just image.