Opry Celebrates Merle Haggard During Special Wednesday Night Tribute

Cody Johnson. Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated legend Merle Haggard on a special Wednesday night Opry on April 6, which was the anniversary of both Haggard’s birth and his death. Born on April 6, 1937, Haggard passed away on April 6, 2016.

The special Wednesday Night “Opry Salutes Merle Haggard” show featured performances by some of the countless artists who have been influenced by Haggard. Among the performers were Suzy Bogguss, Haggard’s son Marty Haggard, Cody Johnson, Joe Nichols, Eli Paperboy Reed, and Lainey Wilson, among others.

Artists performed Haggard classics as well as their own hits inspired by the Country Music Hall of Famer during the special tribute show, which was filmed to air as a future Saturday night Opry Live on the Circle Network, Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. 

Marty Haggard. Photo: Chris Hollo

Lainey Wilson. Photo: Chris Hollo

Joe Nichols. Photo: Chris Hollo

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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