Norm Hamlet is an American steel guitarist and a member of Merle Haggard's The Strangers band for the past 49 years.
[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.
In addition, he is recording and releasing music with Bakersfield, California, artist, Ernie Lewis.