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Stories

Willie Nelson And Merle Haggard Reportedly Went Through 52 Cases Of Beer Once

by Lauren Novak

Published June 13, 2022

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard had 52 cases of beer

Back in the day, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard could drink! In 1980, columnist Robert Hilburn covered the six-hour Country Fall Festival at Anaheim Stadium. Merle and Willie were the headliners of the show and Robert noticed something interesting that day.

He overheard a concessions stand worker talk about how many cases of beer they’d gone through before the show began. He said that they went through 52 cases of beer, which is about 1,200 beers!

Related:

  1. Merle Haggard’s Son Sings Heavenly ‘Amazing Grace’ Cover That Sounds Just Like His Dad
  2. ‘The Waltons’ Star Jon Walmsley Paid Tribute To Country Music Icon Merle Haggard

Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and the backstage crew went through 52 cases of beer

ANGELS SING, Willie Nelson, 2013
ANGELS SING, Willie Nelson, 2013. ph: Joaquin Avellan/©Lionsgate/courtesy Everett Collection

It wasn’t for the crowds of the show but for the people backstage. Now, of course, Merle and Willie didn’t drink all of those beers alone (that would be impossible). However, it was still a lot for the crew and other artists including Alabama and Emmylou Harris.

RELATED: Willie Nelson’s Rendition Of “Always On My Mind” Is Among The Best There Will Ever Be

Merle Haggard ca. 1980s
Merle Haggard ca. 1980s / Everett Collection

The writer never found out exactly how many beers each person drank that day but it seems like a lot. Keep in mind this was all before the show even began! Even so, it was an incredible performance that some lucky fans got to witness.

HONEYSUCKLE ROSE, Willie Nelson, 1980
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE, Willie Nelson, 1980, (c) Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection

Listen to one of Willie and Merle’s songs, “Pancho and Lefty” below:

RELATED: Looking Back On When Merle Haggard Was On ‘The Waltons’

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