Jim Hager, whose music and one-liners were an important part of the TV show "Hee Haw" as one-half of the Hager Twins, was celebrated in Nashville yesterday during a memorial service at the Ryman Auditorium.

"I had the best brother in the universe," teary-eyed brother Jon Hager told Music City TV station WSMV. "We worked together, we lived together."

Jim was rushed to the Vanderbilt Medical Center last Thursday after he dropped to the ground in the parking lot at the Frothy Monkey coffeehouse in Nashville. He died of a suspected heart attack before reaching the hospital.

The Hagers were befriended by Buck Owens, who helped them land a spot in the "Hee Haw" cast in1969. They remained with the show for 19 years, longer than Buck stayed with the program.

Members of the "Hee Haw" cast — including harmonica player Charlie McCoy — performed at the service, in which "Hee Haw" producer Sam Lovullo and former Nashville Councilman Adam Dread spoke.