The country music world was rocked on Wednesday (April 6) by news of country legend Merle Haggard's death. Country artists took to social media to express their sadness and condolences over the loss of the icon, who passed away on his 79th birthday.

Stars immediately began sharing photos of themselves with the legend, as well as stories of what Hag meant to them and general sadness about the huge hole this leaves in the genre.

Haggard turned 79 on April 6.

The singer canceled a string of shows beginning in December of 2015 due to illness. More recently, he called off all of his tour dates for April. According to reports, he had entered hospice care and died of pneumonia at 9:20AM on April 6 in California.

Merle Haggard Dies on His 79th Birthday

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