Jake Owen, Tanya Tucker and More Join ‘The Music of Merle Haggard’ Tribute
Six new artists have been added to the upcoming Merle Haggard tribute concert. Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller, Jake Owen, Aaron Lewis, Tanya Tucker and Chris Janson will all take the stage during Thursday night's (April 6) show.
A slew of country, Americana and rock artists are scheduled to perform during Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard, which will take place at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. April 6, 2017, would have been Haggard’s 80th birthday; it will also be the one-year anniversary of the country legend’s death. Haggard passed away on April 6, 2016, following a bout of pneumonia.
In addition to Crowell, Miller, Owen, Lewis, Tucker and Janson, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, John Mellencamp, Dierks Bentley, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., the Avett Brothers and Alison Krauss are all booked for The Music of Merle Haggard. Joining the aforementioned artists will be Ronnie Dunn, Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lucinda Williams, Ben Haggard, John Anderson, Connie Smith, Bobby Bare, Toby Keith, Alabama and ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons.
“I am honored to produce a show that celebrates the life and music of Merle Haggard,” says Keith Wortman, one of the executive producers behind and creators of the Haggard tribute show. “His music and lyrics continue to shape the lives of musicians and millions of fans. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate his 80th birthday than to honor his legacy with this extraordinary event. It’s going to be an unforgettable evening.”
Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard is being organized by Haggard’s family, Blackbird Presents and Nelson; Don Was, Ben Haggard and Buddy Cannon are serving as its musical directors. The tribute show will be taped for multi-platform distribution, a press release reports, and some of the proceeds will benefit the TJ Martell Foundation.
“I am so very thankful for this tribute to my husband, Merle Haggard,” Theresa Haggard says in the release. “Please come join me and my family at this fantastic show that Merle would be so proud of.”
Tickets for Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Further information is available on MusicOfMerle.com.
10 Essential Merle Haggard Lyrics