Norm Hamlet

Norm Hamlet is an American steel guitarist and a member of Merle Haggard's The Strangers band for the past 49 years.^[1][2][3]

Norm Hamlet
Birth name	Norm Hamlet
Genres	Country
Occupation	Steel guitarist
Instruments	Steel guitar Dobro Pedal Steel Guitar
Years active	1949–present

Hamlet was born on February 27, 1935, in Woodville, California.^[2][3] He began playing guitar in his teens and played throughout North Central California for a number of years with several groups, before going to Bakersfield, California, in 1965 where he became an influential part of the Bakersfield sound.^[3] He has won many awards, including induction into the Western Swing Society hall of fame in Sacramento, California, and the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.^[3]

In 2005 Hamlet had quadruple heart bypass surgery and recovered well at his home in Bakersfield, California. As of October 18, 2015, Hamlet continued to tour with Haggard until Haggard's death in April 2016 and is now touring with Haggard's sons, Noel and Ben, as well as pianist Mario Carboni. In addition, he is recording and releasing music with Bakersfield, California, artist, Ernie Lewis.

References

1. Erlewine, Michael (July 1997). All music guide to country: the experts' guide to the best recordings in country music. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 191–194. ISBN 978-0-87930-475-1. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
2. Terry Downs: The Strangers, http://www.terrydownsmusic.com/Archive/strangers_article.pdf, n.d., downloaded May 6, 2012.
3. The Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame, Inc.: Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, http://www.scottysmusic.com/hofplq.htm, 2012.