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■ Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. A pioneer of the Bakersfield sound alongside Buck Owens, he scored 38 number-one US country hits, including “Mama Tried” and “Okie from Muskogee”.

Country singer John Anderson has passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 71. Anderson had more than 40 singles in the Billboard country music charts, including #1 singles: “Wild and Blue”, “Swingin’”, “Black Sheep”, “Straight Tequila Night”, and “Money in the Bank”. He’s been inducted in and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame.

At the age of 15, he discovered the music of George Jones and Merle Haggard (who passed away in 2016) and began writing and playing country music. His first big hit came with the recording of “I’ve Got a Feelin’ (Somebody’s Been Stealin’)” for Warner Bros. Records in 1977. This was followed by “The Girl at the End of the Bar”, which got into the country top 40. His songs quickly got him associated with the “New Traditionalist” moments with Ricky Skaggs and George Strait.

By the time his fourth album Wild & Blue came out in 1982, he had hit mainstream country with his hit single “Swingin’”… which became Warner Bros.’ biggest-selling record in the record label’s history! The song earned Anderson five nominations for Country Music Association awards, and was named Single of the Year.

The Anderson Family writes on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 8:42 PM :

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend.

To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives. To us, he was so much more. He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special.

We are completely heartbroken.

His music will live on, but for us, his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave his family and the memories we will carry with us forever.

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.