Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard was one of country music's most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the  notorious San Quentin Prison was due to how many times he escaped from smaller facilities and local jails. But did he really escape 17 times as is claimed?

Merle Haggard was one of country music's most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the  notorious San Quentin Prison was due to how many times he escaped from smaller facilities and local jails. But did he really escape 17 times as is claimed?

#14 - Did Merle Haggard Really Escape From Jail 17 Times?

Garth Brooks

In 1993, Garth Brooks and the Super Bowl would clash. It was like King  Kong vs. Godzilla, with these two titans of American culture squaring off for all time. And ultimately, one side had to win.

In 1993, Garth Brooks and the Super Bowl would clash. It was like King  Kong vs. Godzilla, with these two titans of American culture squaring off for all time. And ultimately, one side had to win.

#13 - Garth Brooks vs. The Super Bowl 

Vern Gosdin

There is only one artist in this history of country music whose singing is so revered, he's referred to simply as "The Voice." But the career of Vern Gosdin also may contain one of the most sinister secrets in the history of country music. Did Vern Gosdin really contract two men to murder his producer Gary S. Paxton? 

There is only one artist in this history of country music whose singing is so revered, he's referred to simply as "The Voice." But the career of Vern Gosdin also may contain one of the most sinister secrets in the history of country music. Did Vern Gosdin really contract two men to murder his producer Gary S. Paxton?

#12 - Did Vern Gosdin Really Try to Murder His Producer? 

Hank Williams

Could it be that the most important and influential bloodline in country music actually has a lost branch? Meanwhile, a 4th generation of performers has emerged to keep the bloodline going. 

Could it be that the most important and influential bloodline in country music actually has a lost branch? Meanwhile, a 4th generation of performers has emerged to keep the bloodline going.

#11 - The Lost Bloodline of Hank Williams & The Search For Hank IV

Richard Childress

Marty Robbins

A story of courage and character, and how a split second decision by country legend Marty Robbins on the racetrack forever changed the destiny of numerous people who would go on to help shape American culture.

A story of courage and character, and how a split second decision by country legend Marty Robbins on the racetrack forever changed the destiny of numerous people who would go on to help shape American culture.

#10 - Marty Robbins Saves the Life of NASCAR's Richard Childress

Arguably the most important artifact in country music---and most certainly the most valuable one---is not an instrument as one might assume. Instead it is a work of art, and one that holds special importance, has an incredible story, and was never officially finished.

Arguably the most important artifact in country music---and most certainly the most valuable one---is not an instrument as one might assume. Instead it is a work of art, and one that holds special importance, has an incredible story, and was never officially finished.

#9 - Country Music's Most Important (& Valuable) Artifact

Randy Travis

For his Hall of Fame career, Randy Travis's ace-in-the-hole behind-the-scenes was his manager, his biggest believer, his staunchest champion, his eventual wife, and eventually, his biggest and most catastrophic adversary, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher. This is their story.

For his Hall of Fame career, Randy Travis's ace-in-the-hole behind-the-scenes was his manager, his biggest believer, his staunchest champion, his eventual wife, and eventually, his biggest and most catastrophic adversary, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher. This is their story.

#8 - Randy Travis Versus Lib Hatcher

Joseph Stalin

How none other than Johnny Cash was the first person to intercept the World-changing news of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin's death, and communicated it to the Free World while stationed in Germany as a Morse code interceptor for the Air Force.

How none other than Johnny Cash was the first person to intercept the World-changing news of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin's death, and communicated it to the Free World while stationed in Germany as a Morse code interceptor for the Air Force.

#7 - Johnny Cash, Joseph Stalin, & the Great Morse Code Crack

Waylon Jennings

The story of Waylon's notorious relationship with cocaine told through the improbable tale of a police officer and lawyer turned drug smuggler from Kentucky, and a cocaine-eating bear. 

The story of Waylon's notorious relationship with cocaine told through the improbable tale of a police officer and lawyer turned drug smuggler from Kentucky, and a cocaine-eating bear.

#6 - Waylon Jennings and the Cocaine Bear 

Keith Whitley

The tragic life and death of Keith Whitley who died at the age of 34 due  to alcohol abuse, and the conspiracy theories that surrounded it, told  through the eyes of his widow Lorrie Morgan.

The tragic life and death of Keith Whitley who died at the age of 34 due  to alcohol abuse, and the conspiracy theories that surrounded it, told  through the eyes of his widow Lorrie Morgan.

#5 - The Death of Keith Whitley 

Divorce, Drugs, Death.Perseverance, Inspiration, Redemption. Country History X is the history of country music, one story at a time.

Toby Keith

How a member of the Mafia turned government informant used the United States Witness Protection Program as a shield to allegedly bilk MILLIONS of dollars from hundreds of people and entities through the Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts restaurant franchises.

How a member of the Mafia turned government informant used the United States Witness Protection Program as a shield to allegedly bilk MILLIONS of dollars from hundreds of people and entities through the Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts restaurant franchises.

#4 - The Mafia, and the Toby Keith & Rascal Flatts Restaurants

John Denver

Rich Burns

Charlie Rich whipping out his lighter, and burning the card announcing  John Denver as the 1975 CMA Entertainer of the Year is considered one of  the great moments of protest in country music history. But was his  intent to protest John Denver's win, or something else?

Charlie Rich whipping out his lighter, and burning the card announcing  John Denver as the 1975 CMA Entertainer of the Year is considered one of  the great moments of protest in country music history. But was his  intent to protest John Denver's win, or something else?

#3 - Charlie Rich BURNS John Denver

John Prine

Many know the "perfect Country &amp; Western song" is "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" performed by David Allan Coe, and written by Steve Goodman. But what many don't know is that John Prine was a co-writer of the song. This is the story of why his name was left off the iconic song, and how it was written. 

Many know the "perfect Country &amp; Western song" is "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" performed by David Allan Coe, and written by Steve Goodman. But what many don't know is that John Prine was a co-writer of the song. This is the story of why his name was left off the iconic song, and how it was written.

#2 - John Prine, and the Perfect Country and Western Song

George Jones

The story of how two international drug smugglers obtained a box of unheard George Jones recordings, and used them as bail collateral.

The story of how two international drug smugglers obtained a box of unheard George Jones recordings, and used them as bail collateral.

#1 - The George Jones Drug Tapes

An introduction to the Country History X podcast. 

An introduction to the Country History X podcast.

Country History X Podcast - Introduction 

Divorce, Drugs, Death. Perseverance, Inspiration, Redemption. Country History X is the history of country music, one story at a time.

Country History X

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