Country icon Merle Haggard died Wednesday morning (April 6) on his 79th birthday. Country artists, singer-songwriters and musicians across the nation are reacting online to the news.
Country Legend Merle Haggard Dead at 79
Read their reactions below.
“I was always so inspired by the fact that Merle picked up the fiddle in his 40s, not because he was looking for some great career move, but because he let the music lead him. He went on to record A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddle Player in the World (Bob Wills) and an accompanying tour, and I just always thought he looked so happy playing that fiddle. He is a true legend whose music was always inspired, never contrived. Our world is so much richer because he was in it. ” – Lee Ann Womack
“Merle sent a song to me that he and Kenny Vernon wrote. He wanted The Oak Ridge Boys to record it. When I listened to it,
“I am devastated over the loss of Merle Haggard. He was my absolute favorite of ALL time. I have listened to him since I was a kid. His poetry, his voice and his pure country music style will live forever. I am listening to him sing Sweet Jesus with The Oak Ridge Boys as I write this. SO honored to have recorded this Dove Award winning song with my HERO! Rest Easy Hag… Until The Day…” – Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys
“We’ve lost one of the greatest writers and singers of all time. His heart was as tender as his love ballads. I loved him like a brother. Rest easy, Merle.” – Dolly Parton
“Merle Haggard was an original. Not just a singer, not just a songwriter, not just another famous performer. He was your common everyday working man. I remember when I was 15 years old on tour with Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. They both were wondering which one of the two was going to make it. Well, they both made it. Today, ole Merle joined Waylon, George, and daddy to sing in the Heavenly choir.” – Hank Williams, Jr.
“Words can’t express how sad I am. As a kid, I learned to play and sing listening to my dad’s old Haggard albums. He was a true pioneer to this business and we should all be thankful for the time we had with him and the music he gave us.” – Jason Aldean
?”We’ve lost another hero. Now he doesn’t have to be in pain anymore. I know he’s not suffering anymore. I just can’t imagine a world without Merle. It’s so hard to accept, but I’ll continue honoring him on stage just as I do during every show. We played a lot of gigs together through the years, but some of my fondest memories were hanging out in a natural setting, like the time we sat there by the river in his backyard and ate bologna sandwiches. Merle was a simple man with incredible talent like no other. And now he’s up there singing with George [Jones] and all the angels. Love you, Merle.” – Tanya Tucker
“I am incredibly saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Merle Haggard….today, of all days…on his 79th birthday. I first met Merle while working with The Osborne Brothers. I worked with Merle for about 8 years and we went through so much together. There were good times, and there were other times….well….that only he and I could laugh about. He loved to hear me laugh, for some reason. He would call me up just to hear me laugh when he needing some cheering. We always clicked and had a special friendship.
I was hoping to see him last month in Nashville, but he fell ill and I’ve been praying and talking with him often throughout this time. Today, I was contacted by the family and found out that Merle had expressed his desire to have me sing “Life’s Railway to Heaven” at the funeral. What a fitting song for such an amazing man. He leaves an enormous legacy and will be truly missed.” – Ronnie Reno
“One of the great concert memories I have is seeing Merle and the strangers at the Ryman in Nashville. We had a “live” album of his when I was growing up and I felt like I’d fallin inside my Dad’s stereo speakers. One of my all time favorite voices- and a master songwriter. Blessings to your soulful spirit Merle and all of you family and loved ones.” – Keith Urban
“Today is a very sad day. Our hearts are broken by the loss of Merle Haggard, he changed country music forever, and without him, it will never be the same. We keep losing too many of the good ones.” – Rascal Flatts
?”Sometimes a voice comes along that is so identifiable and convincing that you feel it in your soul. It lives with you and becomes part of your life. It makes you feel things you didn’t know you could feel. It makes you see the things you were unable to see. It never ages, therefore it never dies. Merle embodied all of these things and inspired me, as well as countless others. His voice will live on forever.” – Kip Moore
“I did an album listening party today and I started with a Merle Haggard song because he was a big part of my youth growing up. My dad had several Merle Haggard records and I got to see him play many times. We have an event every year called ‘All for the Hall’ that I do with Vince Gill and Merle came in one time and participated in that. I got to play with him and he comes from that line of unfiltered truth tellers. And he wrote some of the most iconic country songs of all time. He’s really going to be missed.” – Keith Urban
“Music Biz is saddened to hear of the passing of Country legend Merle Haggard. His influence, not only on his chosen genre, but on music as a whole, cannot be understated. He maintained a strong sales presence on the Country charts throughout his more than five-decade career with a whopping 38 #1 singles and 16 #1 albums, including last year’s Django & Jimmie with fellow icon Willie Nelson. We were honored to have him appear at our Music Biz (then NARM) Convention during his career, and encourage his fans, Country enthusiasts, and music lovers of all stripes to honor his legacy and remember the man through his music.” – James Donio, President of the Music Business Association
You are a cornerstone of country music @merlehaggard…u will be missed greatly. Praying for the Haggard family. —
— Hillary Scott (@HillaryScottLA) April 6, 2016
Nobody ever sang a song with the heart and emotion that @merlehaggard did. No wonder it’s raining today. Even God is crying.
— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) April 6, 2016
rip @merlehaggard thank you for all the great music u blessed us with. we will play it forever
— Billy Currington (@billycurrington) April 6, 2016
literally just fell to the floor. can’t believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard
— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) April 6, 2016
We’ve lost an American original. RIP Merle Haggard. Today was his birthday too. ?????? pic.twitter.com/8erKSIh6SA
— Johnny Knoxville (@realjknoxville) April 6, 2016
There will never be another artist like the Hag… Rest In Peace Merle Haggard
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) April 6, 2016
Hard to believe the news about Merle Haggard. Working with him is something I’ll never forget & will cherish forever pic.twitter.com/XsgqYvbtD5
— Dustin Lynch (@dustinlynch) April 6, 2016
Sad day for country music. We just lost one of the greatest of all time. Rest easy Merle Haggard
— Jordan Rager (@Jordan_Rager) April 6, 2016
RIP Merle Haggard. We lost a great one today. pic.twitter.com/4TB58NAMsS
— Rich O’Toole (@RichOToole) April 6, 2016
Country music has suffered one of the greatest losses it will ever experience Rest in peace Merle Haggard
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 6, 2016
Heartbroken. #MerleHaggard https://t.co/TeBj4hPd69https://t.co/KTTU0mRVAB
— rosanne cash (@rosannecash) April 6, 2016
There are no words to describe the loss & sorrow felt within all of music with the passing of Merle Haggard. Thank God for his life & songs.
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 6, 2016
Love and prayers for the Haggard family. Merle was a pioneer…a true entertainer…a legend. There will never be another like him.
— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) April 6, 2016
extremely sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest of all time Mr. Merle Haggard… https://t.co/hmAlAdA8pl pic.twitter.com/s9VhxkXz57
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard was the best country songwriter there ever was.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) April 6, 2016
Country music has suffered one of the greatest losses it will ever experience Rest in peace Merle Haggard
— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 6, 2016
song of the day: MAMA TRIED – MERLE HAGGARD
— Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) April 6, 2016
We lost one of the best today. Rest in peace Merle Haggard…. You will be missed pic.twitter.com/672bX7VSEy
— Tyler Farr (@tylerfarr) April 6, 2016
We lost a real legend today. We’ll miss you, Merle. https://t.co/OVhUb3NqGb
— The Avett Brothers (@theavettbros) April 6, 2016
Rest easy Merle Haggard pic.twitter.com/J3Ozpigde0
— Langhorne Slim (@LanghorneSlim) April 6, 2016
Rest in peace, Hag. One of a kind, and the definition of legend. pic.twitter.com/aUGX22Avna
— Trisha Yearwood (@trishayearwood) April 6, 2016
He was more than a great talent. He was a gifted poet. What a huge inspiration he was to everyone! RIP Merle Haggard pic.twitter.com/AneyiMgdsh
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard is the reason I do what I do. I can’t believe he’s gone. pic.twitter.com/RdzbvtWwLg
— Josh Thompson (@TheJoshThompson) April 6, 2016
@merlehaggard you will be missed. Thank you for showing us how a country song should be lived, written and sung.
— Eric Paslay (@ericpaslay) April 6, 2016
Merle Haggard
Your name will be honored. Your music celebrated. Your legacy never forgotten. Country music will live on. I’ll be sure of it.— Granger Smith (@GrangerSmith) April 6, 2016
Sad day for country music! Merle Haggard is the greatest of all time…period! RIP Merle pic.twitter.com/A3KK0n5qwP
— Craig Campbell (@craigcampbelltv) April 6, 2016
Sad day today @merlehaggard has passed. RIP to a true songwriter, a pioneer of California Country, and country music.
— Jon Pardi (@JonPardi) April 6, 2016
The world will not be the same without @merlehaggard in it. Voice of reason, good man, true American artist. An original. RIP #MerleHaggard
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) April 6, 2016
RIP Merle…you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for…a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.
— Kip Moore (@KipMooreMusic) April 6, 2016
Saddened by the loss of Merle. We lost a bad ass man, a great poet! I love you Merle. Prayers for his family. R.I.P. #MerleHaggard
— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) April 6, 2016
Pains me to say that country music icon @merlehaggard has passed away. So honored to have known him and shared the stage with him.
— Josh Turner (@joshturnermusic) April 6, 2016
RIP Merle. Losing a lot of greats this year
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) April 6, 2016
Unbelievably sad to hear of Merle Haggard’s passing. What a mark he left on country music. Forever grateful for that. ??
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) April 6, 2016
We lost another legend today. RIP and Happy Birthday Merle Haggard. Pouring some out right now.
— Ricky Young (@RickyYoungMusic) April 6, 2016
Country Music lost a legend today… Rest in Peace #merlehaggard
— Celeste Kellogg (@CelesteKellogg) April 6, 2016
Praynig for the family, friends & fans of @MerleHaggard. A legend! #GodBlessMerle #RIPMerle https://t.co/dmWu2V3U6h pic.twitter.com/uEgQAlZ4rj
— Rodney Atkins (@RodneyAtkins) April 6, 2016
rip @merlehaggard thank you for all the great music u blessed us with. we will play it forever
— Billy Currington (@billycurrington) April 6, 2016
Another legend lost. Playing “Misery & Gin” in your honor, Merle. pic.twitter.com/Z5MAT0S7XB
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) April 6, 2016
RIP Merle Haggard. Everyone spend some time today listening to Merle. One of the greatest ever.
— Wheeler Walker, Jr. (@WheelerWalkerJr) April 6, 2016
My dear friend and one of country music’s treasures @merlehaggard has just passed away. My deepest sympathy to his family.
— TG Sheppard (@TGSheppardmusic) April 6, 2016
So bummed to lose my number one influence in country music #merlehaggard. I got to tour with him and #clintblack… https://t.co/KP2mZbnv7l
— Billy Dean (@billydean) April 6, 2016
RIP-Merle had one of the most identifiable country voices. “We’re rolling downhill like a snowball headed for hell” pic.twitter.com/wSWrBR4PvR
— Sammy Hagar (@sammyhagar) April 6, 2016
In mourning for my friend Merle Haggard. There’s never been anyone quite like him. May he rest in peace. #RIPMerle pic.twitter.com/NkLWtrXkXV
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) April 6, 2016