merle haggard

Country music was not spared from the grief that came early and often in 2016. Legendary artists seemed to pass at unheard of rates — men and women we'd relied on for hit songs and unforgettable live performances for decades died, often unexpectedly this year. In this video Taste of Country remembers them one final time.

Four of country music's most iconic names are being recognized with one of music's biggest honors from the Recording Academy. Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, the Everly Brothers and Bonnie Raitt will all have some of their most legendary recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017.

One of Merle Haggard's final projects was creating his own strain of marijuana, which could be available on the market within the next few months.

Miranda Lambert paid tribute to the late Merle Haggard by performing her own rendition of his classic "Misery and Gin" during the 2016 ACM Honors event, which was broadcast Friday night (Sept. 9).

Just hours after he roundly criticized the ACM in a scathing Facebook post, Sturgill Simpson posted an update clarifying his remarks.

On Monday singer/songwriter Sturgill Simpson took to Facebok to blast the ACMs for creating an award that celebrates Merle Haggard’s legacy. He accused the Academy of Country Music of joining others who have “hitched their wagon to his name.”

Miranda Lambert will receive a major honor on Tuesday (Aug. 30) during the 10th Annual ACM Honors in Nashville, Tenn. The singer will be recognized with the inaugural ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award at the ceremony held at the Ryman Auditorium.

The ACM Awards have established a new honor in memory of one of country’s most iconic artists, Merle Haggard.

Toby Keith gave a poignant tribute to the late country icon Merle Haggard during his performance at the Grand Ole Opry in May, blending together several of the legend’s hits for one memorable performance.

When 12-year-old Kadie Lynn opens her mouth to sing, your jaw will soon be on the floor. The young girl recently tried out for America’s Got Talent and showed off her big voice with Merle Haggard’s “Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Star,” a tune originally released in 1987, years before Lynn was born.

The son of the late Merle Haggard, Ben Haggard, turned to social media on May 17 to post a rendition of the classic country hit "Seven Spanish Angels." The track went all the way to No. 1 in 1984 when one of Merle's closest friends, Willie Nelson, released the single as a duet with Ray Charles.

Merle Haggard's voice strains but remains resilient as he sings his final song, "Kern River Blues." The spirit of the Hag is still alive in this country ballad.