CMT News

Jon Hager of the Hager Twins Dies in Nashville

Hee Haw cast member Jon Hager, a member of the Hagers vocal duo, was found dead Friday morning (Jan. 9) in his Nashville apartment. Although an official cause of death has not been announced, the 67-year-old entertainer apparently died in his sleep. He had reportedly been in poor health since his twin brother Jim died suddenly of a heart attack on May 1, 2008 in Nashville. Jon and Jim Hager appeared on Hee Haw's first episode in 1969 and remained on the popular TV series until 1988. Raised in the Chicago area, the brothers were adopted by a minister and his wife. As teenagers, the twins regularly performed on a Saturday morning music show for teens on WGN-TV/Chicago. After serving in the Army, they moved to California, where they played in clubs and eventually landed a job performing at the Disneyland theme park. Buck Owens attended one of their Disneyland shows and signed them to a management, recording and booking contract. They spent several years opening shows for Owens, who also co-hosted Hee Haw. The Hagers signed to Capitol Records in 1969 and charted five country singles.