I grew up listening to the Hag, and Bonnie's harmonies indeed defined that sound along with Roy Nichols' guitar... Many years of playing music found me playing Merle songs in the old roadhouses on the Richardson and Parks and on down to Seward and Homer. His songs had and do have as much meaning as the best Beatles songs and oh was it a good time back in the 60s, 70s and 80s in Alaska. About as good as it gets.
Here's a great documentary on Merle's life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK24PpV7ufw