Merle Haggard Passes Away At The Age Of 79

According to KERO TV in Bakersfield, Country music legend, Merle Haggard has passed away on his birthday. He was 79-years-old. He was working with Willie Nelson on a new tour and had cancelled a few dates due to his health. At this point this is all we know.

The singer-songwriter,  along with Buck Owens and their band the Strangers, was one of the pioneers of the Bakersfield sound. Haggard was also involved in the Outlaw Country movement. Credited with inspiring many country singers of today,  Merle Haggard has won just about every music award.

He did jail time and later the time was expunged by then Governor Ronald Reagan, once he was let out he used to dig ditches for his brother. He is credited with making the Fender Telecaster the sound of Country and many have borrowed the sound to add to their music. Many music row musicians use Telecasters to this day for that sound.

Last month, Haggard's hit "Mama Tried" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry. Merle Haggard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994, he is in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.

Merle Haggard has 40 #1 hits to his credit.