Merle Haggard Was a Friend of Mine: An interview with author Ray McDonald
Russ & Cyn recorded this (our first interview) episode in Pismo Beach, CA on 8/22/2025. Ray's book is available on BookBaby.com and wherever most books are sold online. Ray lived with Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens in Bakersfield, CA as a teenager when Ray's parents moved to Los Angeles. He was fortunate to be friends with Merle's and Bonnie's kids and they invited him to stay with them. This started 50+ years of a personal and professional relationship between Ray and Merle until Merle passed away in 2016. His book is a personal memoir melding 52 chapters, many stories and pictures from Ray's and Merle's lives that are entertaining, enlightening and fun. For those who know little about Merle Haggard, this book is a good introduction to Merle from his years before he became famous through his years of music and artistic fame.
