Merle Haggard | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Country music stars and other celebrities are taking to Twitter to react to the tragic death of country legend Merle Haggard, who passed away on Wednesday (April 6) at the age of 79.

Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, LeAnn Rimes, and more have been tweeting their condolences after the news broke.

“Love and prayers for the Haggard family. Merle was a pioneer…a true entertainer…a legend. There will never be another like him,” Carrie tweeted.

Click inside to read more celebrity tributes…More Here! »

Country music legend Merle Haggard has passed away at the age of 79, TMZ reports.

The singer was celebrating his 79th birthday today, and had been suffering from pneumonia. He died on Wednesday (April 6) at his home in Redding, California.

Merle had been battling pneumonia since last year when he was hospitalized for 11 days.

Merle had been struggling to recover, and he canceled his April tour dates to rest.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame back in 1994. Our thoughts are with Merle‘s loved ones during this time.

Merle Haggard poses for a photo backstage at the 2014 Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday (April 6) in Las Vegas, Nev.

The 77-year-old country music legend was joined at the event by his wife Theresa Ann Lane. They have been married since 1993.

Merle is being honored this evening with Crystal Milestone Award for his extensive career highlights and he will get a tribute performance from Miranda Lambert and George Strait. They will be singing “Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down” and “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive.”

The award will be presented to him by yet another music legend, Garth Brooks.