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Country music legend Merle Haggard dies at 79

INDIO, CA - APRIL 24: Musician Merle Haggard performs onstage during day one of 2015 Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival, at The Empire Polo Club on April 24, 2015 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A country music legend with ties to the Sooner State has died at the age of 79.

Merle Haggard died around 9:20 a.m. in California on Wednesday, according to Haggard’s manager.

Wednesday marked his 79th birthday.

According to Taste of Country, Haggard was suffering from a series of health struggles.

He was best known for his hit tune “Okie from Muskogee,” along with dozens of other top hits.