Watch The Avett Brothers Pay Tribute to Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard is gone, but his music lives on.

Case-in-point: at The Avett Brothers’ first-ever Madison Square Garden concert on Friday night, the band performed a tribute to the late musician by playing his signature song, “Mama Tried.” The Avetts also covered Haggard’s plaintive love song, “My Favorite Memory.” After the performance, Seth Avett offered his gratitude to the departed country legend: “Thank you … Thank you Merle.”

The Avett Brothers’ upcoming record True Sadness is out June 24. Watch their “Mama Tried” cover above.