Merle Haggard’s Passing Draws Condolences From Country Music Community

The passing of Merle Haggard on Wed., April 6, drew kind words and memories across social media. Here are some examples.

“Merle Haggard’s contribution to American popular music is inestimable, and his death seems somehow unfathomable. He carried the sounds and spirit of his heroes Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, and Woody Guthrie into the present day, and he wrote the songs that told, and will continue to tell, our stories. He sought to make, in his words, ‘music that contributes to the well-being of the spirit… music that cradles people’s lives and makes things a little easier.’ That music remains with us, to soften the enormous blow of this hard and sad time.” – Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

“The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame lost one of its most illustrious members today when Merle Haggard lost his battle with pneumonia. One of the finest country songwriters of all time, Merle was also one of our greatest singers and an incredible musician, bandleader and entertainer. His list of hits is staggering, including winning 6 CMA Triple Play awards, and he cast a long shadow on the history of classic and modern country music. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and fans. We may never see the likes of him again—a legend that quietly lived up to our expectations – always ready to hit the road, kick his band into high gear and sing with the authority of a man who had lived his life fully.” – Pat Alger, The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (Board Chair)

“Two-time Grammy Award winner and 2006 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Merle Haggard was an uncommon hero in country music. An exceptional multitalented singer/songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler, Merle’s massive success was rooted in his masterful ability to celebrate the outlaws and the underdogs. Merle’s extraordinary talent resulted in more than 30 No. 1 country hits and his remarkable performances will forever live on and inspire music creators worldwide. We have lost an innovative member of the music community and our sincerest condolences go out to Merle’s family, friends, collaborators and all who have been impacted by his incredible work. He will truly be missed.” Neil Portnow, President/CEO, The Recording Academy

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

Okie from Muskogee. Poet of the Common Man. Hag. RIP, @MerleHaggard. Your talent & influence will never be forgotten pic.twitter.com/Y3ze89WWZR

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) April 6, 2016

We are terribly saddened to hear about the passing of our friend Merle Haggard earlier this morning… https://t.co/eT71seiYRu

— Ryman Auditorium (@TheRyman) 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

With great sadness we mourn the passing of Hall of Fame member MERLE HAGGARD, 1977 inductee and writer of hits… https://t.co/jQVBgeJigF

— NaSHOF (@NashSongwriters) 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

With sad hearts, we’ve learned of 46-time #CMAawards nominee @MerleHaggard’s passing. MORE: https://t.co/MdPiHzreUc pic.twitter.com/iVGWWhgAhc

— Country Music Assoc. (@CountryMusic) April 6, 2016

See photos of Merle Haggard through the years https://t.co/dALpWrCBkw pic.twitter.com/Q1YmzuGa3T

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) 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

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

Merle Haggard was the best country songwriter there ever was.

— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) April 6, 2016

You’re flying now. #MerleHaggard https://t.co/n0Oz9Mlueh

— Joe Nichols (@JoeNichols) 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

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

A birthday to be cherished in heaven. @merlehaggard and @gjpossum are kicking out the footlights again. RIP Merle.

— George Jones (@gjpossum) April 6, 2016

We lost a legend today. @merlehaggard will truly be missed. https://t.co/3V0dxAZn28 pic.twitter.com/gqq5WyNyiq

— Americana Music (@AmericanaFest) 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

I just told my little girl @merlehaggard has passed away and gone to heaven. She said, “that’s okay daddy,We will get to go to heaven too.

— Jake Owen (@jakeowen) 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

My heart is absolutely broken in two at the news of the loss of Merle Haggard. We keep losing all of the good ones. What a sad, sad day…

— Jay DeMarcus (@JayDeMarcus) April 6, 2016

You will always be my hero. This was one of the best days of my life. #RIPMerleHaggard @merlehaggard pic.twitter.com/QFfNmkmnF9

— Randy Rogers Band (@rrbchoir) April 6, 2016

Thank you @merlehaggard for the gift of your great music. Thank you God for the gift of the great Merle Haggard. RIP pic.twitter.com/bq2T9Bzise

— Charles Esten (@CharlesEsten) April 6, 2016

Merle Haggard sang & wrote the very 1st songs that ALABAMA played in public, “Sing Me Back Home” & “Silver Wings” To the group ALABAMA…

— ALABAMA (@TheAlabamaBand) 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

RIP, @MerleHaggard. Read more on his life and career > https://t.co/qtCoAdyjJ7 pic.twitter.com/LPOntrTEqH

— CMT (@CMT) April 6, 2016

“Mighty” Merle Haggard was the greatest country songwriter of ALL TIME. We shared many great memories, and I will miss him. #merlehaggard

— John Rich (@johnrich) 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

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

This is a video of Vince from a few years back…Rest in Peace @merlehaggard, you will be missed by everyone https://t.co/RhVtkzmsRg

— Vince Gill (@VGcom) April 6, 2016

We lost a true hero today & I’m very sad to say a true friend.

I will always be eternally grateful.

Goodbye Haghttps://t.co/QfRraZIn3d

— Sturgill Simpson (@SturgillSimpson) April 6, 2016

We lost a country music legend today. Rest in peace, @merlehaggard. pic.twitter.com/OZVTmGhbTu

— Sony Music Nashville (@SonyNashville) April 6, 2016

We’ve lost more than a legend, we’ve lost an icon. Gonna miss you @merlehaggard pic.twitter.com/XctDnJM2sI

— Neal McCoy (@NealMcCoy) April 6, 2016

We are terribly saddened to hear about the passing of our friend Merle Haggard earlier this morning… https://t.co/eT71seiYRu

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

.@merlehaggard was my all-time hero. Today we lost one of the greatest songwriters of… https://t.co/RcKvPesSUS pic.twitter.com/m56eVFC7iv

— GaryAllan (@GaryAllan) 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

Merle Haggard. We just lost arguably the best Country singer songwriter of all time. He was my favorite above anyone else….#RIPHAG

— Terri Clark (@TerriClarkMusic) April 6, 2016

Sad to have lost this Country music legend ❤️ #MerleHaggard #RIP pic.twitter.com/CYHgjevjp6

— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) 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