Merle Haggard's final recording 'Kern River Blues' premieres

While still recuperating from double pneumonia in February, Merle Haggard returned to the studio for what turned out to be the final time to record a new song, “Kern River Blues,” which premieres at 2 p.m. Thursday on SiriusXM satellite radio.

The song, to be unveiled on Willie’s Roadhouse on Channel...