Our heart hurts today to learn of the passing of country music legend, Merle Haggard. The country music community is reeling from this news. Haggard made a huge impact on the genre and the industry as a whole, and his legacy will continue on throughout the music community for generations to come.
Several artists took to social media to express their condolences, thoughts and grief. Among those was Merle’s son, Ben, who posted a powerful picture on social media shortly after his father’s passing.
A week ago dad told us he was gonna pass on his birthday, and he wasn’t wrong. A hour ago he took his last breath…
Posted by Ben Haggard on Wednesday, April 6, 2016
https://t.co/U5K6E3CpSe pic.twitter.com/wcvEZbCBFP
— Willie Nelson (@willienelson) April 6, 2016
Incredibly sad tonight.. Goodbye Merle Haggard.
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) April 7, 2016
Country music lost a legend today. RIP @merlehaggard.
— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) April 7, 2016
.@merlehaggard crafted songs that were for every day people. He was relatable and real and will continue to inspire! pic.twitter.com/kHdFp1iTJ1
— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) April 7, 2016
God bless the hag. Country music has never suffered a greater loss. Thanks for the memories. #AretheGoodTimesReallyOverForGood…RIP HAG!
— Justin Moore (@JustinColeMoore) April 7, 2016
I’m so sad to hear we’ve lost @merlehaggard. His music was a staple in our home, growing up.
— Shania Twain (@ShaniaTwain) April 7, 2016
It looks like it’s raining in Nashville today but really it’s Tennessee tears for Merle Haggard. You’ll always be the best. #longlivetheHag
— Jerrod Niemann (@jrodfromoz) April 6, 2016
We lost a true legend in country music today. Rest easy, Merle. pic.twitter.com/2o1VtO7hdr
— Faith Hill (@FaithHill) April 6, 2016
Heaven’s band just got better! RIP to the LEGENDARY @merlehaggard. Your music will never die!
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) April 6, 2016
Sad about @merlehaggard today but also believe he, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills and a host of others are having one heaven of a jam tonight!
— Randy Houser (@RandyHouser) 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
No one could steer me right but Mama tried…
RIP Merle.— Chase Rice (@ChaseRiceMusic) 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
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
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
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
There will never be another artist like the Hag… Rest In Peace Merle Haggard
— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) April 6, 2016
Damn…can’t believe the news. Rest in peace, Merle.
— Joe Nichols (@JoeNichols) April 6, 2016
You are a cornerstone of country music @merlehaggard…u will be missed greatly. Praying for the Haggard family. 💔
— Hillary Scott (@HillaryScottLA) 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
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
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
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
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 was one of our biggest influences and we are so heartbroken to hear about his passing. RIP to a true legend. pic.twitter.com/519ZS7rEDY
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— Parmalee (@parmalee) 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
The big city finally turned him loose…and set him free. God bless your soul Merle, thank for the music🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/UYSlZ3wRdX
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— Frankie Ballard (@FrankieBallard) April 6, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers with @merlehaggard‘s family. Thankful for all he did for country music. #legend pic.twitter.com/BVTADpPiRp;
— Florida Georgia Line (@FLAGALine) April 6, 2016
We’ve lost more than a legend, we’ve lost an icon. Gonna miss you @merlehaggard pic.twitter.com/XctDnJM2sI
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— Neal McCoy (@NealMcCoy) April 6, 2016
His are the footsteps we follow in. Rest easy, Merle. #MerleHaggard pic.twitter.com/nxuW8mcfy3;
— The Band Perry (@thebandperry) April 6, 2016
So sad to hear about the passing of Merle Haggard. My thoughts and Prayers are with his family and country music fans. #RIPMerleHaggard
— Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) April 6, 2016
It felt like the world stopped for a moment when I heard about Merle Haggard…such an icon…thanks for your gift to all of us brother
— Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) April 6, 2016
A true hero was lost today. Thank you for your contribution to not only country music but all music. @merlehaggard
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) April 6, 2016
We lost a legend today…. A true inspiration to all of us…. Our prayers are with his entire family…. RIP Merle. pic.twitter.com/SnFseLU2Dk;
— Brantley Gilbert (@BrantleyGilbert) April 6, 2016
Just heard the news. I’m so so sad. I don’t even know what else to say….
— Martina McBride (@martinamcbride) April 6, 2016
Today is one of the saddest days in our lives. The world will miss Merle but his music will truly live forever. pic.twitter.com/e9MZfFDmmR;
— thompson square (@thompsonsquare) April 6, 2016
R.I.P. Merle – one of the first reasons I started to write songs. What a massive inspiration. He’ll be missed. pic.twitter.com/3NA6JVocsl
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— Thomas Rhett (@ThomasRhett) April 6, 2016
