![]() ![]() I feel privileged to have toured with him and known him as both a great artist and as a friend. He set the feelings of the everyday common man to music, creating songs that will outlive us all. “Merle was a singer's singer, a musician's musician, and a songwriter's songwriter. May he rest in peace in the arms of Sweet Jesus.” - Duane Allen, The Oak Ridge Boys It was a huge honor to sing with one of our biggest heroes, Merle Haggard. His response was, ‘Anything you “Boys” want.’ So, we recorded ‘Sweet Jesus,’ and it won a Gospel Music Association Dove Award for Best Country Song. When I heard it, I felt there was no way we could do it unless we asked Merle to do it with us. “A few years ago Merle sent me a song he wanted The Oak Ridge Boys to record. I’ve been washed in the Blood of the Lamb!’” - Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys SO honored to have recorded this Dove Award-winning song with my HERO! Rest Easy Hag… Until The Day. I am listening to him sing 'Sweet Jesus' with the The Oak Ridge Boys as I write this. His poetry, his voice and his pure country music style will live forever. I have listened to him since I was a kid. “I am devastated over the loss of Merle Haggard. He is about as close to perfection in country music as we will probably ever have.” - Lorrie Morgan I learned so much from this kind man about singing when Merle Haggard sang, you paid attention. My hope is that he passed a happy and content man. I hate that he lived so far away from us these last few years, but definitely understand it. I remember touring with him at various points throughout the '90s and those are memories that I will always cherish. “I am deeply saddened to hear of Merle’s passing. I grew up on his music and am I'm so saddened by his passing.” - Kiefer Sutherland “Merle Haggard was one of the greatest songwriters, performers, and storytellers that ever lived. He was such a great man, on stage and off.” - Gene Watson Getting to sing with him several times over the years will be memories I cherish forever. ![]() He took me to school with his phrasing, his songwriting and style - and he was undoubtedly one of my greatest influences. “My heart is broken over the loss of one of the greatest country singers ever. Today, ole Merle joined Waylon, George, and Daddy to sing in the Heavenly choir.” - Hank Williams Jr. They both were wondering which one of the two was going to make it. I remember when I was 15 years old on tour with Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. Not just a singer, not just a songwriter, not just another famous performer. And now he’s up there singing with George and all the angels. Merle was a simple man with incredible talent like no other. 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. It’s so hard to accept, but I’ll continue honoring him on stage just as I do during every show. I just can’t imagine a world without Merle. Now he doesn’t have to be in pain anymore. His heart was as tender as his love ballads. “We've lost one of the greatest writers and singers of all time. With a tip of the Stetson to the folks at Webster Public Relations, we’d like to share some remarks they’ve culled from other notables who knew and loved the remarkable Merle Haggard. “Love and prayers for the Haggard family,” tweeted country star Carrie Underwood. I will miss him.”Īlso on Twitter, Brad Paisley posted: “There are no words to describe the loss & sorrow felt within all of music with the passing of Merle Haggard. Willie Nelson, his close friend and collaborator, posted a simple black-and-white photo of the two of them on Twitter, along with a brief message: “He was my brother, my friend. Heartfelt tributes to the late, great Merle Haggard began to flood the internet immediately after the announcement of his passing Wednesday morning. Dolly Parton is among the many remembering “One of the greatest writers and singers of all time.”
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