American Country Countdown Awards to honor Merle Haggard

Posted April 21, 2016 7:00 am

By KRISTIN M. HALL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Singer and songwriter Toby Keith will perform a tribute to the late legend Merle Haggard during the American Country Countdown Awards on May 1.

Dick clark productions and Cumulus Media announced on Thursday that the awards show will include a special tribute to the "Okie from Muskogee" singer and songwriter, who died on his 79th birthday on April 6. Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey will introduce the performance.

Keith will perform with Haggard's longtime backing band, The Strangers, which includes his son Ben. Haggard's widow, Theresa, will also be in attendance. Other performers for the show include Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt and Cam. The show will air live on Fox from the Forum in Inglewood, California.

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This story has been corrected to show announcement was Thursday, not Wednesday.

FILE - In this April 7, 2014, file photo shows Toby Keith performs at ACM Presents an All-Star Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas. Singer and songwriter Keith will perform a tribute to the late legend Merle Haggard during the American Country Countdown Awards on May 1, 2016. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

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