Country Reacts To The Passing Of Merle Haggard

Yesterday Country music lost a legend when Merle Haggard passed away at the age of 79. He inspired may of today's country artists and here are their reactions.

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

You know, Merle was huge in my career. When he did ‘Okie from Muskogee’ back in the 70’s, I think it was, you know, I kinda got hooked then on Merle and country music. When I was in the Army and stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, Merle came there, and he played Conroy Bowl. And I remember I was playing an NCO club that night, and before my little gig, I got to run over there, and I kind of snuck in and saw Merle, and it just blew me away. That’s what I wanted to be like, you know? I wanted to be like The Hag. And so, I can’t tell you how big of an influence he was on me, just huge -- George Strait

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

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.

I've been a Haggard Nut my whole life. And I’ve played country music, recorded country music my whole life, and I’ve tried to emulate what I loved about Merle Haggard on a lot of occasions -- Vince Gill

I am deeply saddened to hear of Merle’s passing. He was a dear friend, I remember touring with him at various points throughout the 90’s and those are memories that I will always cherish. I hate that he lived so far away from us these last few years, but definitely understand it. My hope is that he passed a happy and content man. I learned so much from this kind man about singing, when Merle Haggard sang you paid attention. He is about as close to perfection in country music as we will probably ever have. -- Lorrie Morgan

George and I loved Merle so much. George would always say nobody could ever sing like Merle Haggard. Merle was one of our Country Heroes. Now, George and Merle are together again singing with the Angel Band. -- Nancy Jones

We join the world of the broken hearted hearing of the death of Merle Haggard. One of the first things John and I realized we had in common was our love of Haggard songs. What a blessing to have had a chance to get to know him and work with such a legend in our career. Merle, guess you finally are on the ultimate Natural High. We will have your music in our hearts and souls and honkytonk nights forever! God Bless the great Merle Haggard. May you fly with the Angels. -- 'Big Kenny' Alphin / Big & Rich

Being that I was a huge Merle Haggard fan, he was one of the ones that I did a couple of shows with early in my career. He welcomed me into the music industry. It's extremely sad when you see people like "The Hag" leave us – he's been huge, the industry is what it is today because of great musicians/artists/songwriters like him. -- Mark Wills

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