Merle Haggard’s Passing Draws Condolences From Country Music Community

• April 6, 2016 [print-me target="div.post-title, div.post-meta, div.post-body" do_not_print=".twitterLink, .sharedaddy, .jp-relatedposts, .fb-comments-title, .fb-comments-text, .fb-comments, .post-comments" tag="span" class="print-me-container"]
Merle Haggard. Photo: Myriam Santos

Merle Haggard. Photo: Myriam Santos

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

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