Loretta Lynnherself made several appearances — in video footage and recordings — at her own public memorial service on Sunday night in Nashville. During one of those moments, the country icon, who died at age 90 on Oct. 4, reflected with her trademark humility on what she hoped her legacy would be.
“I would like to be remembered,” she said, “just as a good person.”
Oh, Loretta Lynn. You will be remembered for so very much more — and your fellow legends, musical descendants, friends and family all testified to that during “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn,” a 90-minute tribute in spoken words and song that aired live on CMT.
Stage atmosphere.Jason Kempin/Getty
The event was held, fittingly, at the Grand Ole Opry House: HostJenna Bush Hagernoted that Lynn once said becoming an Opry member was “the greatest moment of my life.”
“Well, tonight,” Hager said, “even after she’s gone, she fills it once again.”
Jenna Bush Hager.Terry Wyatt/Getty
Indeed, the house was packed not only with invited guests, but also about 1,500 fans lucky enough to snag free tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some, Hager said from the stage, had begun lining up at 4 a.m. to assure they would be present for the stirring farewell.
Wynonna Judd, her stepfather Larry Strickland and the Gaither Vocal Band.Jason Kempin/Getty
But the solemnity quickly gave way to many other moods that reflected Lynn’s personality and career.
Arriving with a six-string banjo, country rockerKeith Urbanput some extra twang in his voice for Lynn’s 1971 sunny hit, “You’re Lookin' at Country.” He also reminisced about being her “date” at the 2005 CMT awards, at her invitation, and how she was back making playful demands for her 87th birthday bash, anall-star tribute concertat Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in 2018.
When that show was announced, Lynn mischievously requested Urban pop out of a cake onstage —he did oblige— and on Sunday, Urban revealed that Lynn made sure of his appearance with a pointed voicemail, which he shared with the audience.
Keith Urban.Larry McCormack/Variety via Getty
“Hey, Keith, this is Loretta,” the familiar voice perked from Urban’s phone, which he held to the microphone, “and I’m having a birthday, and I want to see your butt there.”
“So you bet I was there,” Urban told the crowd. “I came running then. I came running tonight. I will always come running for Miss Loretta.”
Tanya Tucker.Larry McCormack/Variety via Getty
Urban was the first of several big names tapped to perform a Lynn standard.Tanya Tuckerlent her bluesy voice to “Blue Kentucky Girl.” (“Miss you, Retty,” she interjected as she sang.) And Americana starMargo Pricewas a natural to sing perhaps Lynn’s most controversial hit, “The Pill,” delivering it with sassy fervor on a retro corded microphone.
Margo Price.Terry Wyatt/Getty
The Highwomen.Jason Kempin/Getty
Other song-to-singer matches could only be considered outside the box:Darius Ruckertook on “Fist City,” Lynn’s feisty response to the floozy moving in on her husband. And KingGeorge Straitpaid his honors to the country queen with her famously tart message to her boozing man: “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin (With Lovin' on Your Mind).”
George Strait.Jason Kempin/Getty
Surely no one would have gotten a bigger kick out of both renditions more than Lynn, who pioneered women’s empowerment songs in the male-dominated genre. Strait showed his respect and affection at song’s end, tapping his heart and pointing heavenward.
Carlile took a solo turn to offer a double tribute with a soulful performance of “She’s Got You,” a No. 1 hit forPatsy Clinein 1962 and a No. 1 hit for Lynn 15 years later. The song appeared on Lynn’s tribute album to her close friend, who was killed in a private plane crash in 1963 — and Cline’s daughter,Julie Fudge, was in the audience to hear Carlile sing it.
“I’m gonna sing this for Loretta and her girlfriend Patsy up in heaven,” Carlile announced in her introduction.
Brandi Carlile.Larry McCormack/Variety via Getty
Little Big Town.Larry McCormack/Variety via Getty
One of the evening’s most passionate ovations went to Lynn’s 23-year-old granddaughter, Emmy Russell, a recently signed Nashville songwriter, andWillie Nelson’s son, Americana star Lukas Nelson.
Lukas Nelson and Emmy Russell.Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT
Alan Jackson, whom Lynninducted into the Country Music Hall of Famein 2018 in one of her last public appearances, performed his own song about the here-after, “Where Her Heart Has Always Been,” which he wrote in tribute to his late mother and her own eternal love for his father. Lynn, of course, was married to her childhood sweetheart,Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, for 48 years before his death in 1996.
“I never told [Lynn] this, but she reminded me a lot of my momma,” Jackson said in his introduction. “They looked a little alike. Their personalities were a lot alike. They were both real outgoing, tell you exactly what’s on their mind, but very sweet and genuine. … When my momma passed away, I wrote this song for her, and when they asked me to sing for Loretta tonight, I just felt like the words felt right, and the family was kind enough to let me sing this song.”
Alan Jackson.Jason Kempin/Getty
Rock godJack White, who producedVan Lear Rose, Lynn’s 2004 Grammy-winning album, performed its title track, which Lynn wrote as a tribute to her mother. In Margo Price’s introduction, she noted that White became captivated with Lynn and her music as a 9-year-old boy watchingCoal Miner’s Daughter,the 1980 bio-pic based on her life — eventually leading to his decision to dedicate his first White Stripes album to her. The two later bonded over chicken and dumplings that the country star cooked and served the rock ‘n’ roller at her home.
White brought all his rock chops to his performance, accompanying himself on electric guitar and showing how easily Lynn’s music transcends the country genre.
Jack White.Jason Kempin/Getty
Artists of other genres also lent their voices, in spoken tribute, to Lynn’s wide-ranging impact.
“I’m just amazed at how many people Loretta has brought together,” folk-pop iconSheryl Crowsaid in her testimonial. “She’s so much bigger than country music.”
Sheryl Crow.Jason Kempin/Getty
In his video tribute,Kid Rockreminisced about his friendship with Lynn and her visits to his studio. Country-turned-pop superstarTaylor Swift, in another video tribute, offered her gratitude to Lynn “for being an example for songwriters everywhere, but most specifically female songwriters … She was so ahead of her time.”
Crystal Gayle (left).John Shearer/Getty Images for CMT
Of course, a legion of country icons appeared on stage or in videos to pay homage to their queen, among themBarbara Mandrell,Miranda Lambert,Reba McEntire,Marty StuartandKacey Musgraves. They reached for a wide array of descriptors to capture the fullness of Lynn’s personality: gutsy, creative, funny, fierce, wise, kind, loving, down-to-earth. And they noted her many roles: trailblazer, storyteller, gifted songwriter, powerful performer, wife, mother, grandmother, girlfriend.
Ashley Judd with sister Wynonna.Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT
“She didn’t just push boundaries for women in country music — she shredded them,“Faith Hillsaid in her emotional tribute. She shared the stage with husbandTim McGraw, who noted that Lynn’s “voice and music are a part of the soundtrack of my life” even as she “made it clear she was writing songs about women for women.”
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.Larry McCormack/Variety via Getty
Another country queen, Dolly Parton, on video, recalled how she and Lynn “used to talk about our lives, how similarly we grew up. [We] had a lot of laughs, shed a lot of tears over things that we remembered about our childhood and about our parents. … We often talked about how happy [we were that] we grew up the way we did so we could write all those wonderful songs about our lives.”
Tayla Lynn and Patsy Lynn Russell.Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT
Near the end of the celebration Lynn’s daughter,Patsy Lynn Russell,and granddaughterTayla Lynnwere showered with a lengthy ovation as they took the stage, representing Lynn’s expansive family. Tayla Lynn, the daughter of Lynn’s sonErnest Ray, brought attention to her grandmother’s deep, inspiring faith and its impact on her. Russell called the evening both “extremely emotional” and a “joy,” and she offered gratitude for the outpouring of love and music.
“That comforts us,” she said, “because with the loss of our mom, we are heartbroken. It’s such an empty feeling in so many ways.” Yet, she added, “My mom has laid down the most incredible legacy. She has laid down such a legacy that she will never leave us.”
The atmosphere.Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT
If you missed the show — or want to see it again — commercial-free encores will air on CMT at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Wednesday and at 11 am. ET/10 a.m. CT on Sunday. The special will also be available on Paramount+ in early 2023.
source: people.com
