The Hager Twins, James Williams (Jim) and John Henry (Jon), were both Army veterans who became well known country music entertainers.  Jim and Jon were born in Chicago on August 30, 1941, and adopted by Methodist minister John H. Hager and his wife Frances Lurline Baker, a schoolteacher. They began their musical career singing in the church choir and as teenagers formed a musical-comedy duo, singing on a Saturday morning television show. After graduating in 1959 from Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, the brothers entered the Army.  While in the Army they performed at Officer's Clubs and Non-commissioned Officer's Clubs in the United States and Europe, Jim reaching the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4) and Jon that of Private First Class (PFC).  After leaving the Army the brothers moved to California and performed at the Ledbetter's Night Club in Los Angeles.  They also worked at Disneyland, where country singer Buck Owens saw them perform and became their manager.  Signed to Capital Records they released their debut single "Gotta Get To Oklahoma ('Cause California's Gettin' To Me)" in 1969.  The also became cast members of the popular television show Hee Haw, an association that lasted 18 years.  After leaving Hee Haw they continued appearing on television and at comedy clubs together.  Jim died of an apparent heart attack in Nashville on May 1, 2008.  Jon passed away eight months later on January 9, 2009.  The Hager Twins now rest next to each other at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.

This is a picture of the Hager Twins markers.

This is a picture of the Hager Twins on Hee Haw.

JAMES HENRY HAGER

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