Goodbye Merle Haggard

So a living legend past into the world of great legends today. Merle Haggard left us on his 79th birthday leaving many in tears but he also left us his music so the essence of his talent, his heart, his soul will carry on.
I learned to appreciate Merle Haggard at an early age because my dad listened to country music. I remember times when the radio was on and a Merle Haggard song would play how something in his voice just seemed to reach down deep and sooth my soul; it didn't matter if he was singing "Okie from Muskogee ", "Mama Tried", "Sing Me Back Home", "Working Man Blues", "The Fighting Side of Me", or any of those 60s or early 70s songs. As I grew older I started listening to things other than country music but I still loved listening to Merle, it seemed every song he had on the radio was great. One of my favorite songs of his is a mellow tune called "That's the way Love goes" call me a softy but that is one of the best songs ever made.
Another thing I liked about Merle Haggard is that as time past and things changed he stayed true to country music yet his songs really fit the times no matter the decade. Now he, like so many country legends, is gone and there does not seem anyone waiting in the wings to carry on the "TRUE " country tradition.  To day I was listening to a George Jones song, another legend gone, called "Who's going to fill their Shoes" and could not help but feel how appropriate the song is for today. Merle left some pretty big shoes to fill and I don't think any of today's country singers are even worthy of tying the laces. Country music can use some advice: You can put a little rock in my Country but keep your pop out of it!
Rest in peace Mr. Haggard you will be missed but you will touch souls forever!