Mystery solved: Turns out Cher is in town because one of her best L.A. buddies is a huge Merle Haggard fan, and Cher wanted to surprise her friend by taking him to the Hag show tonight.

Cher’s friend is jeweler-to-the-stars Richard Starks, creator of the Chrome Hearts line, for you fashionistas.

Cher booked a private jet and told Richard and his wife she had a surprise for them and they took off without Richard knowing where he was going.

Cher and Richard and their significant others spent significant time with Merle before the show. Then the Cher posse sat six rows back, center, for the actual Ryman show itself.

Other celebs in the house: Jewel and her bull-rider champ man, Ty Murray; country couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert; Gretchen Wilson; and John Anderson.