The great Merle Haggard died on Wednesday, April 6.
      The country music legend’s songs included “Okie from Muskogee” and “Fightin' Side of Me.” He was 79.
      I don’t know what you call it when someone dies on the exact date they were born, but the lights have dimmed in the music world as we all mourn the music giant who has left us.
      We agree with Time Magazine, which said:
      “What Merle does better than anybody is sing songs of love, loyalty, and doubt.”
      Merle Haggard was among the best classic country music guitarists of all time.
      Our good friend and musicologist Michael Kelly (of United Airlines) put it best:
      “Merle distilled his personal experiences into simple and eloquent narratives that resonated with people of all backgrounds, income levels, and musical tastes.
      “And what a voice!
      “There’s no effort to sound ‘country,’ ‘blue,’ or ‘soulful’—no strain at all.
      “Merle was just honest and human.”
      The songs he left with us will live forever.
Geoffrey