Merle Haggard & The Strangers became one of the defining acts of the Bakersfield Sound, combining traditional country, honky-tonk, western swing, and blues with sharp musicianship and Haggard’s unmistakable songwriting. Born in Bakersfield, California, in 1937, Haggard began establishing himself as a recording artist during the early 1960s. After “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers” became an early hit, he named his band The Strangers. Together, Haggard and the group developed a lean, guitar-driven country sound that stood apart from the more polished Nashville productions of the era.

Haggard’s remarkable run of recordings included I’m a Lonesome Fugitive, Branded Man, Sing Me Back Home, Mama Tried, Workin’ Man Blues, Okie from Muskogee, and The Fightin’ Side of Me. The Strangers were an important part of the music, with longtime members including guitarist Roy Nichols and pedal steel guitarist Norm Hamlet helping shape the band’s distinctive sound. Haggard was also an accomplished guitarist and fiddler in his own right. His songwriting, musicianship, and working-class perspective eventually earned him induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994.

The road was equally important to the story of Merle Haggard & The Strangers. The band became known for exceptional musicianship and spent decades performing with Haggard across the country and beyond. The Strangers earned multiple Academy of Country Music Touring Band of the Year honors, reflecting a reputation that extended well beyond their role on Haggard’s recordings. Haggard continued performing into the final years of his life before his death in 2016 at the age of 79.

Authentic Merle Haggard & The Strangers guitar picks and memorabilia offer collectors a connection to one of the most important partnerships in classic country music. Guitar-related pieces are especially fitting given Haggard’s own musicianship and the instrumental talent that defined The Strangers. Items associated with different concerts, tours, and performances capture pieces of a career that helped define the Bakersfield Sound and influence generations of country artists. Browse our collection of authentic Merle Haggard & The Strangers guitar picks and memorabilia below.