Merle Kilgore was an American singer, songwriter, and manager. Although born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, Merle Kilgore was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a starry-eyed boy of fourteen he carried the guitar for Hank Williams at the Louisiana Hayridebeginning a close relationship with the Williams family that would last three generations.

Kilgore went on to a career as a country music recording artist but had great success as a songwriter, co-writing with June Carter Cash the song "Ring of Fire" first recorded by her sister Anita Carter and later her husband Johnny Cash. With Claude King he also co-wrote King's big crossover hit, "Wolverton Mountain." Amongst others, he also penned "Johnny Reb" for Johnny Horton and the Tommy Roe pop music hit, "The Folk Singer."

Merle was a long-time member of the Academy of Country Music and an active member of the Screen Actors Guild. As well as belonging to the NSAI and the American Federation of Musicians, Merle served as a board member for several organizations including the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, the Texas Hall of Fame and the Tex Ritter Museum, both in Carthage, Texas.