One of the founding fathers of country music has died, leaving everyone a bit saddened. Merle Haggard, who had been in poor health of late, has passed away at the age of 79.
The “Okie from Muskogee” has been an icon in the business for over 60 years, earning 36 number one country hits, living out his dream from his birth in Oildale, Calif. in 1937, to being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Hall of Fame in 1994. Merle was also a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Merle won countless Grammys in addition to 20 Academy of Country Music Awards. The highlight of honors came with a Kennedy Center honor and celebration in 2010.
Merle Haggard, founder of the ‘Bakersfield Sound’ was truly an ‘Outlaw,’ and has been married five times (one of his wives was former Buck Owens wife Bonnie whom he credits much of his success) and is survived by six children.
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Photo credit: Legacy Recordings