American Songwriter

On This Day in 1984, Merle Haggard Became the Second Star To Take This Lefty Frizzell-Penned Classic to the Top of the Country Chart

Forty-one years ago today, Merle Haggard topped the chart for the 30th time with a song that was previously a major hit for someone else.
American Songwriter

On This Day in 2019, We Lost the Songwriter Who Penned Decades of Country Hits Thanks to His Friendship With Lefty Frizzell and a Series of Divorces

Shafer found his passion for music early. His father was a gospel singer, and the radio in their home was always tuned to a country station. As a result, he grew up watching his father perform while ...