Merle Haggard over the years

Merle Haggard performs at the Capitol Records pizza party and show Oct. 21, 1967.

Merle Haggard sings his song "Okie from Mujskogee" for the audience during the nationwide telecast of the CMA Awards show Oct. 14, 1970. Haggard won four awards, including Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Merle Haggard sings his song "Okie from Mujskogee" for the audience during the nationwide telecast of the CMA Awards show Oct. 14, 1970. Haggard won four awards, including Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year.

After the end of the telecast of the CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 14, 1970, Merle Haggard receives congratulations for his four awards.

Freddie Hart, center, speaks to the audience after winning the Song of the Year for "Easy Lovin" at the CMA Awards show during the nationally televised ceremonies at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 10, 1971. Looking on are presenters Roy Clark, left, and Merle Haggard.

Merle Haggard performs for a packed house at the Grand Ole Opry House during the sixth annual CMA Awards show Oct. 16, 1972.

Merle Haggard, right, performs for a packed house at the Grand Ole Opry House during the sixth annual CMA Awards show Oct. 16, 1972.

Donna Fargo, right, is thankful after winning the Single of the Year award during the CMA Awards show Oct. 16, 1972. Looking on is Merle Haggard, one of the presenters.

Merle Haggard performs for the crowd at Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 21, 1972, during the Capitol Records show.

Merle Haggard performs for the crowd at Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 21, 1972, during the Capitol Records show.

Merle Haggard shows off his fiddling skills for the crowd at Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 21, 1972, during the Capitol Records show.

Loretta Lynn accepts the Female Vocalist of the Year award at the seventh annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 15, 1973. Looking on are presenters Merle Haggard, left, and Glen Campbell.

Husband and wife teams take a breather as Tammy Wynette, left, and George Jones chat with Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens during the BMI Awards banquet at the Belle Meade Country Club on Oct. 16, 1973.

Merle Haggard, who arrived only a few minutes before the show was scheduled to end, was worth the wait as he performs during the Capitol Records luncheon and show at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 19, 1974.

Merle Haggard, who arrived only a few minutes before the show was scheduled to end, was worth the wait as he performs during the Capitol Records luncheon and show at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 19, 1974.

Merle Haggard, who arrived only a few minutes before the show was scheduled to end, was worth the wait as he performs during the Capitol Records luncheon and show at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 19, 1974.

Merle Haggard, who arrived only a few minutes before the show was scheduled to end, was worth the wait as he performs during the Capitol Records luncheon and show at the Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 19, 1974.

Country music star Merle Haggard, left, works with Hank Cochran in a Nashville studio March 8, 1977.

Merle Haggard, left, and wife Leona Williams join Rozene and Charley Pride as they attended the gala BMI Awards dinner at the performing rights society's Music Square East headquarters Oct. 17, 1978. Haggard and Williams got married 10 days before in Nevada.

Merle Haggard’s 1968 chart-topping country classic “Mama Tried” is one of 25 sound recordings that were added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry on Wednesday.

Merle Haggard warms up May 7, 1993, before being filmed in a songwriting session with Max D. Barnes for a Scene Three film on a day in the life of country music.

Johnny Paycheck, left, Merle Haggard and George Jones perform together in the Workin' Man's Show on the last day of the 26th annual Fan Fair on June 20, 1997. The show drew an estimated 8,000 to 9,000 fans at the state fairgrounds.

Johnny Paycheck, left, Merle Haggard and George Jones perform together in the Workin' Man's Show on the last day of the 26th annual Fan Fair on June 20, 1997. The show drew an estimated 8,000 to 9,000 fans at the state fairgrounds.

Merle Haggard and Jewel arrive at the annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville on Sept. 22, 1999.

Jewel smiles at Merle Haggard after they performed together during the annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sept. 22, 1999.

Merle Haggard takes his hat off to the crowd during his concert at the Ryman Auditorium on May 3, 2000.

Country music legend Merle Haggard smiles during a news conference at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington on May 28, 2003. Haggard and his sister Lillian Haggard Hoge donated belongings taken on their family's Dust Bowl-era move from Oklahoma to California on Route 66.

Merle Haggard performs for the crowd during the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Merle Haggard performs for the crowd during the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Merle Haggard performs for the crowd during the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Merle Haggard performs for the crowd during the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Merle Haggard is moved by the cheering crowd after he finished a song during the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Merle Haggard says goodnight to the crowd during the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Merle Haggard, left, signs a guitar for Sandy and Rory Mateo after his performance at the "Grand Ole Opry" on Sept. 27, 2003.

Toby Keith, left, shakes hands with Merle Haggard as they arrive for the 54th annual BMI Country Awards on Nov. 4, 2006.

Merle Haggard and his wife, Theresa, arrive for the 54th annual BMI Country Awards on Music Row on Nov. 4, 2006.

Merle Haggard takes the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House on Feb. 19, 2007. The show, part of "The Last of the Breed Tour," featured country music icons Willie Nelson, Haggard and Ray Price, with backing band Asleep at the Wheel.

Merle Haggard fiddles along with members of Asleep at the Wheel, which is backing Willie Nelson, Haggard and Ray Price on "The Last of the Breed Tour" at the Grand Ole Opry House on Feb. 19, 2007.

Merle Haggard, right, poses with his daughter Jenessa during the second annual ACM Honors at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Sept. 22, 2009.

Heather Byrd interviews Merle Haggard during the second annual ACM Honors at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Sept. 22, 2009.

Merle Haggard takes his hat off after he receives an award during the second annual ACM Honors at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Sept. 22, 2009.

Kim Woollen, left, Glen Campbell, General Manager Sally Williams and Merle Haggard pose backstage at the Ryman Auditorium on April 9, 2012.

Merle Haggard performs for the packed audience at the Ryman Auditorium on April 9, 2012.

Merle Haggard performs for a packed audience at the Ryman Auditorium on April 9, 2012.

Merle Haggard performs for a packed audience at the Ryman Auditorium on April 9, 2012.

Merle Haggard performs for a packed audience at the Ryman Auditorium on April 9, 2012.

Merle Haggard waves to the crowd as he takes the stage for the We're All for the Hall concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2012.

Merle Haggard performs during the We're All for the Hall concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2012.

Merle Haggard arrives on the red carpet for the medallion ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Oct. 21, 2012.

Merle Haggard, right, presents Connie Smith her medal during the medallion ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Oct. 21, 2012.

Merle Haggard accepts the Crystal Milestone Award during the 49th annual ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 6, 2014.

Merle Haggard performs on stage during the 2015 Stagecoach Festival at the EmpireClub on April 24, 2015, in Indio, Calif.

Merle Haggard makes a surprise appearance at the "Grand Ole Opry" in October.