Merle Haggard [ tickets ] has signed a recording deal with Anti Inc., an imprint of Southern California's independent, punk-oriented Epitaph label. The country music icon is mixing a new, self-produced record at his studio in Northern California, and the label expects to release it this fall.

''I'm working with a rock and roll label on purpose in hopes that they have the knowledge to sell records, because the people in the circle I've been around don't seem to have the ability or the desire,'' Haggard said in a statement. ''I feel, in judging my own music, that I'd be much more comfortable performing on the same show with Eric Clapton or Bonnie Raitt than pretty much any of the artists being billed as Country today.''

The album features Haggard's longtime band, the Strangers. ''This record is a continuation of my life story in music,'' Haggard said. ''.... I'm giving it a higher score than any album I've made to date--but what the hell do I know?'' Anti Inc., founded by Epitaph owner Brett Gurewitz (a former member of punk rock band Bad Religion), has already had a taste of success with the Grammy-winning 1999 Tom Waits album ''Mule Variations,'' which the label clams has sold a million copies worldwide.