Six years ago today, the great Merle Haggard passed away on his 79th birthday, shaking the country music world to its core with the loss of such an influential musician.
Born in Oildale, California, in 1937, Merle’s country music career spanned five decades, produced dozens and dozens of hit songs, a number of award-winning albums, and has influenced more artists than you can imagine. Many would call him the best to ever do it.
Today would’ve been his 85th birthday, and as difficult a day as it is for country music fans, you have to think about his family once April 6th each year.
With that being said, his widow, Theresa Ann Lane, posted a sentimental note to Merle’s official Instagram page.
In the picture, you see Theresa and Merle sharing a bite to eat over some Coronas, at what appears to be an Anaheim Angels game.
You see Merle rockin’ an Angels hat with a goofy face, looking like he’s having the time of his life.
Underneath, the caption reads:
“To all the fans and family that loved Merle, today is that special day that Merle was called home.
That is one thing we cannot control in our lives is when it is our time to die. It seems like only yesterday we lost this man that I loved and you all loved so well.
He is surely missed by me and our kids. I know he is also missed by you. So play a song for the man today that touched us all so many times with his music and with his heart.
I miss you Merle, every single day. You’re everywhere I look and everything I hear. I know we are only apart for awhile. Love, Theresa”
Here’s to Merle.
Merle Haggard’s Son Ben Delivers A Moving Country Rendition Of “Amazing Grace”
If you haven’t spent any time listening to Merle Haggard’s son, Ben, you need to start… now.
We’ve shared a bunch of videos of him performing over the years, and the response is always remarkable.
People are blown away by his talent, and a surprising amount of people actually don’t know this is Merle’s youngest son (Facebook comments can be a dumpster fire as we all know).
I randomly came across his rendition of “Amazing Grace” from a few years back and was floored… so free and easy in the way he delivers such an iconic song.
Ben is the real deal.
He was recently featured on Dolly Parton’s Run, Rose, Run album, lending his vocals to a track called, “Demons,” and has also been featured on a number of tribute albums to his father.
On Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard (Live) you can hear him on a number of track including “What Am I Gonna Do,” “Heaven Was A Drink Of Wine,” and the group effort, “Okie From Muskogee.”
But perhaps one of my favorites of his is his original, “As Haggard As They Come,” which he performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 2019.
