HUFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS – Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 22: ***EXCLUSIVE*** Singer-songwriters Merle Haggard, recipient of the Poet's Award, and Vince Gill backstage during the second annual ACM Honors at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on September 22, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM)
CIRCA LATE 1960s: Country musician Merle Haggard performs on stage with Bonnie Owens during a late 1960's concert. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
