Photo Credit: Russ Harrington
Last night, CMT and Sandbox Productions, in partnership with Loretta Lynn’s family presented “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music Of Loretta Lynn”. It aired live on CMT to 2000 friends and family who gathered to celebrate her life at the Grand Ole Opry, while also allowing 500 people from the general public to attend in-person. It was simulcast on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse: Willie Nelson’s Classic Country (Channel 59).
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: A memorial for Loretta Lynn is seen during the CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
Two additional CMT commercial-free encore airings on Wed, Nov 2nd at 8p/7c & Sun, Nov 6th at 11a/10c.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: (L-R) Margaret Comeaux, Patrizia DiMaria, Jason Owen, Ebie McFarland and SVP of music strategy for CMT’s Leslie Fram attend CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT)
Fans started lining up outside at 3am, hoping to get a seat to see some of the country music industry’s biggest names pay tribute through song and telling their personal stories about the iconic Queen of Country Music.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Margo Price performs onstage for CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
NBC’s “Today Show” co-host and close family friend Jenna Bush Hager hosted the star-studded event, which included emotional messages and moving performances from Alan Jackson, Barbara Mandrell, Brandi Carlile, Darius Rucker, Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, George Strait, The Highwomen’s Carlile, Amanda Shires + Natalie Hemby with Brittany Spencer, Hoda Kotb, Jack White, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Marty Stuart, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Sissy Spacek, Tanya Tucker, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Wynonna feat. Gaither Vocal Band +
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Darius Rucker speaks onstage for CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
Larry Strickland.
On-stage guests who appeared to share heartfelt messages included Barbara Mandrell, Darius Rucker, Faith Hill, Hoda Kotb, Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow and Tim McGraw, plus special messages from Lynn’s closest friends and fans: Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Marty Stuart, Miranda Lambert, Reba, Sissy Spacek and Taylor Swift.
Opening the memorial, Wynonna feat. Gaither Vocal Band + Larry Strickland delivered a chills-inducing performance of the classic hymn, “How Great Thou Art” for the night’s first standing ovation.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Tayla Lynn and Patsy Lynn Russell attend CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for CMT)
Host Jenna Bush Hager recalled the controversy surrounding one of Lynn’s biggest hits – a song that country radio originally refused to play, “The Pill,” sung by a spirited Margo Price.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Lukas Nelson and Emmy Rose Russell perform onstage for CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
One of the highlighted performances was from Lukas Nelson, grandson of Willie Nelson, and Emmy Russell, Loretta’s granddaughter. They received a standing ovation for their rendition of “Lay Me Down”.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Karen Fairchild seen backstage during CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for CMT)
Jack White’s surprise appearance and powerful live performance of “Van Lear Rose,” the title track of his and Loretta’s Grammy-winning album, was a standout of the night. Introduced by Margo Price, fans were also treated to a rarely seen performance from Third Man Records Vault Package #24 featuring White and Lynn performing “Whispering Sea,” a favorite of White’s and one of the first songs Loretta ever wrote.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Jack White performs onstage for CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
The Highwomen’s Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires + Natalie Hemby and Brittney Spencer performed a show-stopping finale of Lynn’s most recognizable hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Earlier in the night, Carlile also performed “She’s Got You” solo.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Crystal Gayle (L) seen during CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for CMT)
Throughout the evening, more of Lynn’s closest friends and fans delivered heartfelt speeches and shared personal memories, including Sissy Spacek, who recalled being “thunderstruck” upon first meeting Loretta; Dolly Parton shared that “Loretta was the best friend anybody could ever have.” Taylor Swift praised Lynn for being an example for all songwriters, particularly females with her ‘truthful, fearless honesty’ in her writing.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: Keith Urban performs onstage for CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
Loretta Lynn passed away in her sleep on Oct. 4th. She was 90 years old.
Full performance list below:
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ALAN JACKSON – “WHERE HER HEART HAS ALWAYS BEEN”
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BRANDI CARLILE – “SHE’S GOT YOU”
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DARIUS RUCKER – “FIST CITY”
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EMMY RUSSELL + LUKAS NELSON – “LAY ME DOWN”
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GEORGE STRAIT – “DON’T COME HOME -’DRINKIN’ (WITH LOVIN’ ON YOUR MIND)”
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JACK WHITE – “VAN LEAR ROSE”
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KEITH URBAN – “YOU’RE LOOKING AT COUNTRY”
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LITTLE BIG TOWN – “LET HER FLY”
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MARGO PRICE – “THE PILL”
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TANYA TUCKER – “BLUE KENTUCKY GIRL”
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THE HIGHWOMEN’s Carlile, Amanda Shires & Natalie Hemby with Brittany Spencer – “COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER”
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WYNONNA feat. GAITHER VOCAL BAND + LARRY STRICKLAND – “HOW GREAT THOU ART”
In loving memory of the life and legacy of Loretta Lynn, The Loretta Lynn Foundation exists to establish, preserve, and promote public awareness of the historical and cultural contributions of Loretta Lynn and the cultural contributions of country music as a genre and to establish, preserve, and maintain an educational and recreational facility for the general public through which to give to and serve others. For more information and to make a donation, visit foundation.lorettalynn.comor text LORETTA to 53-555.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 30: (L-R) Amanda Shires, Brandi Carlile and Natalie Hemby of the Highwomen with Brittney Spencer (CL) perform onstage for CMT Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn at Grand Ole Opry on October 30, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for CMT)
“COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER: A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE & MUSIC OF LORETTA LYNN” is a co-production from CMT and Sandbox Productions; Margaret Comeaux (CMT), Jason Owen (Sandbox), Patrizia DiMaria (Ladypants Productions) and Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media) are Executive Producers.
For more information, visit CMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.
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