Watch Merle Haggard Bring His Traditional Sound to ‘Pop! Goes the Country’ with “Ramblin’ Fever”

Pop! Goes the Country was a weekly show that let audiences across the nation see country stars and up-and-comers perform. Additionally, the show featured interviews with those artists. As the title suggests, the series showcased artists with pop-leaning music or crossover appeal such as Dolly Parton, Lynn Anderson, and Barbara Mandrell. However, more traditional-leaning artists, including Merle Haggard appeared on the show as well.

Pop! Goes the Country was three years into its eight-year run when Haggard released his 1977 album Ramblin’ Fever. He appeared on the show to perform the title track which was the first and only single from the album. Watch the full throwback performance below.

[RELATED: Watch Merle Haggard Perform “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive” During His First ‘Austin City Limits’ Appearance in 1978]

Ramblin’ Fever Saw Merle Haggard Making a Major Career Change

Merle Haggard released his debut album Strangers on Capitol Records in 1965. He would go on to release a total of 22 albums on the label—21 solo albums and one duet album with Bonnie Owens titled Just Between the Two of Us. The run with Capitol brought Haggard nine No. 1 albums and 24 No. 1 singles. Ramblin’ Fever was his first album for MCA Records.

However, his label wasn’t the only thing that changed after the middle of the 1970s. Haggard had also started recording fewer of his own songs and taking on more outside cuts. This started with My Love Affair with Trains and The Roots of My Raising both were released in 1976 and contained one Haggard-penned song each.

The title track was the only Haggard solo write on Ramblin’ Fever. He also co-penned “I Think It’s Gone Forever” with Leona Williams. Hag would go on to make Williams his third wife in 1978. Their marriage lasted five years.

Ramblin’ Fever saw one other major change for the “Okie from Muskogee” singer. All of his previous solo albums featured his touring band, The Strangers. However, it seems that he stopped recording with the band after moving to MCA. Instead, he started using session musicians on his albums. Guitarist Red Lane was the only member of the band to appear on Ramblin’ Fever.

Featured Image by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)