From left, Duane Becker (seated, playing the steel guitar), Robert Moss, Mel Dalton and Rusty Jackson perform at the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights during Hagfest 2025. The celebration of Merle Haggard's music and life will return to Coeur d'Alene when Hagfest 2026 starts at 7 p.m. May 16 at Lake City Center.
May 8, 2026
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May 8, 2026 1 a.m.
Local artist keeps country legend's music alive
Local artist keeps country legend's music alive
Country legend Merle Haggard went to play at the great honky-tonk in the sky 10 years ago. He died April 6, 2016, during a deeply personal time for Rusty Jackson, director and co-founder of Northwest Country Music and Americana.