Introduction
Why Alan Jackson Called Merle Haggard “Crazy” – A Legendary Backstage Tale
Country music fans love a good story, and few are as entertaining as Alan Jackson’s tale involving one of his heroes, the legendary Merle Haggard. Jackson, known for his honesty and humor, recently shared a story that perfectly captures the wild and unpredictable nature of life on the road with country music icons.
It all began in May 2021, when Alan Jackson released his 18th studio album, Where Have You Gone. As is customary, Jackson went on a media tour to promote the new album. During an interview with The Tennessean, he recounted a hilarious encounter with Merle Haggard that left him calling the country legend “crazy.” But this was meant affectionately—after all, Haggard was one of Jackson’s biggest inspirations.
The story started with Jackson’s cover of the classic song That’s the Way Love Goes, a song originally made famous by country pioneer Lefty Frizzell. Haggard himself had covered the song in the early 1980s, even naming it the title track of a 1983 album. Jackson explained that his rendition was intended as a tribute to Merle, just as Haggard had once paid tribute to Lefty. “I’ve been wanting to do something for Merle ever since he died,” Jackson told the newspaper.
But the story took a fun turn when Jackson reminisced about touring with Haggard. Back in the day, Alan made sure to have top-notch catering backstage to satisfy his “country appetite.” One night, however, a seemingly innocent favorite of Jackson’s caused an unforgettable reaction.
“My mama made this old lemon pie—a lemon icebox kind of pie. It was one of my favorites, but not everyone liked it,” Jackson recalled. “One time we came into catering, and Merle was sitting there. The guy asked him how the food was, and he said, ‘Oh, it’s pretty good, but don’t eat that goddamn yellow pie.’”
Jackson laughed as he remembered the moment. “I never did tell him that was my mama’s pie. He was just that way—crazy, funny, and unpredictable.”
It’s moments like these that show the lighter side of country music legends. Haggard, revered for his songwriting and storytelling, was just as capable of delivering humor and unexpected reactions offstage as he was of producing hits on it. Jackson’s anecdote adds another cherished story to the rich tapestry of country music history—a reminder of the camaraderie, quirky personalities, and unforgettable moments that define the genre.
While Merle Haggard may no longer be with us, his influence lives on through artists like Alan Jackson and countless fans who remember the man, the myth, the legend. And for anyone who’s ever toured the road in country music, this tale is a perfect snapshot of the unexpected, humorous, and often “crazy” world behind the scenes.