After his second release from detention, Haggard saw Lefty Frizzell in concert with his friend Bob Teague and sang a couple of songs for him. Lefty was so impressed, he allowed Haggard to sing at the concert.
Several years later, at another Cash concert, Haggard came up to Johnny and told him "I certainly enjoyed your show at San Quentin." Cash said "Merle, I don't remember you bein' in that show." Merle Haggard said, "Johnny, I wasn't in that show, I was in the audience."
In 1972, then-Gov. Ronald Reagan gave Haggard a full pardon for his past crimes. Haggard often brags that few figures in history can become public enemy No. 1 and man of the year in the same 10-year period.