The Academy of Country Music has established the Merle Haggard Spirit Award to honor the late Merle Haggard.
According to ACM the award will be presented to a performer whose career reflects the uncompromising integrity and steadfastness of spirit embodied by the late Merle Haggard.
Haggard passed away on April 6 of this year at the age of 79.
The ACM Honors will be hosted by Lady Antebellum and air September 9 on CBS.