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Morning Edition: Music

Merle Haggard's prison lament

"Mama Tried" by Merle Haggard was number one on the Billboard Country chart 50 years ago today. The song reflects on the pain and suffering Haggard caused his mother when he was sent to San Quentin Prison after trying to rob a roadhouse in his hometown of Bakersfield, California. Haggard says he was inspired to join the prison country band after seeing Johnny Cash perform at San Quentin on New Years Day, 1959. Haggard turned his life around after his release from prison in 1960.
by Cathy Wurzer

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The Rascals big hit with a message

"People Got To Be Free" by the Rascals was number one on the Billboard pop chart 50 years ago today. Felix Cavaliere, the co-author of the song, says it was written in reaction to the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Dolly Parton and Sia record "Here I Am" as a duet

Dolly Parton and Sia have recorded a new version of "Here I Am." The two artists came together to work on the soundtrack for a new movie called "Dumplin" about a plus-sized teen who enters a beauty pageant to win over a boy she likes.
by Cathy Wurzer

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The Global Roots Festival kicks off this weekend in Minneapolis

The festival features five days of music, film, and talks — but mostly music. It kicks off Saturday night with performances by Somali singer Aar Maanta and Swedish folk-rock group Hoven Droven.
by Phil Picardi

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Guns n' Roses topped the charts thirty years ago with "Sweet Child O' Mine."

Guitarist Slash has said "Sweet Child O' Mine" got its start as a quick little melody he made up, with his bandmates adding chords and lyrics later on. It went on to become Guns n' Roses' only number one single.
by Phil Picardi

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Distortion, static and crunch: Low's new album "Double Negative" drops this Friday

Recorded in Justin Vernon's Wisconsin studio and produced by BJ Burton — who also produced Bon Iver's trippy "22, A Million" — the new record includes its fair share of distortion and crunch, blended with Low's haunting vocals.
by Phil Picardi

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Paul McCartney's new album

Paul McCartney has a new album called "Egypt Station." To celebrate the album's release, McCartney and his band played live on Friday inside Grand Central Station in New York.
by Cathy Wurzer

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Hear Prince's demo for 17 Days

A demo of "17 Days" by Prince will be on an album to be released later this month. The album is simply titled "Piano and a Microphone 1983."
by Cathy Wurzer

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