SiriusXM is sad report that we’ve learned of the loss of a true icon of country music and close friend of Outlaw Country and Willie’s Roadhouse. “The Poet of the Common Man” and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Merle Haggard, has passed away on his birthday, at the age of 79. More information is forthcoming.
After honing his craft in the California honky tonks, Haggard helped forge the famous “Bakersfield Sound” that stormed the airwaves and jukeboxes of the 1960s with a string of signature songs like Mama Tried, Swinging Doors and The Bottle Let Me Down.
By the end of the decade, his songs Okie of Muskogee and The Fightin’ Side of Me became anthems of the Vietnam era’s “silent majority,” but instead of pandering to expectations, he went back to his country roots and recorded tributes to his musical heroes Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills.
Over five decades of recordings, he scored an amazing 38 No. 1 hits to go along with Grammys, ACMS and CMA awards membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and the Kennedy Center Honors as a songwriter, vocalist, bandleader, and performing artist.
Last December, Merle Haggard was forced to postpone a string of concert dates after being hospitalized for double pneumonia. He called into the Dallas Wayne show on Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 59) to give an update on his condition and thank his fans, the people who helped care for him and said that he really appreciates all Willie Nelson and Willie’s Roadhouse does to support his music.
Merle Haggard stands in a class by himself and has left a permanent mark on America’s music landscape.
Willie’s Roadhouse host Dallas Wayne is mourning the loss and celebrating the life of our dear friend today, along with fans and fellow musicians. Dial 877-3-WILLIE to share your memories.
Rest in peace.
RELATED CHANNELS
The stars and director of the new thriller Verity — actors Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett, and director Michael Showalter — joined The Morning Mash Up‘s Ryan and Nicole on SiriusXM Hits 1 (Ch. 2) for an exclusive Front Row event.
Listen to the full SiriusXM Front Row special with Sylvester Stallone starting Monday, October 5 on Radio Andy (Ch. 101) and the SiriusXM app.
Mick Kern looks at this week's must-hear NHL Games of the Week for SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.
SCREAM Radio, SiriusXM’s destination for chills and thrills, returns to fill the airwaves with a spooky soundtrack for Halloween.
On the 5th anniversary of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Turtle Island Talks returns for its fifth year on The Indigiverse.
On Monday, September 28, Jimmy Kimmel returned to The Howard Stern Show.
