“Running Kind” wasn’t just a song choice—it was a promise kept. When Noel and Ben Haggard stepped onto that Country’s Family Reunion stage, they carried more than their father’s voice; they carried his soul. Two sons, two guitars, one legacy that refuses to fade. Merle’s second and final single from 1978 suddenly felt brand new again, like hearing your father’s wisdom echo through your own children’s voices. No costumes, no gimmicks—just raw talent honoring raw talent, proving that some things in country music are simply too sacred to let slip away.

Introduction

I recently discovered a YouTube video showcasing Noel and Ben Haggard delivering a heartfelt medley of “The Runnin’ Kind” and “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive,” uploaded in October 2015, where it’s become a beloved tribute among country fans. As two of Merle Haggard’s sons, Noel and Ben carry forward their father’s legacy with a performance that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly personal.

Ben Haggard, who began playing lead guitar with Merle’s band The Strangers at just 15, has also built his own reputation as a songwriter and performer—he signed with BMI in September 2016 and has opened for legends like Willie Nelson and The Oak Ridge Boys. Noel Haggard, a seasoned country vocalist since his 1997 debut album One Lifetime, brings a rich baritone that echoes his father’s warmth while carving out his own distinct sound.

Originally written and performed by Merle Haggard, “Running Kind” was released on January 9, 1978, as the second single from the album A Working Man Can’t Get Nowhere Today, peaking at number 12 on the U.S. country charts and number 10 in Canada. “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive,” first released as a single in December 1966 and then as the title track of Merle’s 1967 album, soared to the top of the country charts, capturing the outlaw spirit that defined a generation of listeners.

In the video, the brothers seamlessly merge the driving, restless riffs of “Running Kind” with the haunting, mournful cadence of “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive,” weaving their voices together in harmonies that resonate with genuine affection and respect. Their guitar interplay—a nod to the classic Bakersfield sound—and warm vocal blend transform these well-loved classics into a living conversation between past and present.

Watching them perform, you can’t help but feel the deep bond of family and music, as if you’re eavesdropping on a private moment where two brothers honor the man who shaped their lives—Merle Haggard himself. It’s a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted songs that “The Runnin’ Kind” and “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive” still speak to themes of freedom, regret, and devotion, carried forward by the next generation of the Haggard family.

If you’re craving country music with soul and history, this medley by Noel and Ben Haggard is a must-watch—it reminds us how songs can bridge generations and keep legacies alive

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