R.I.P. Loretta Lynn, groundbreaking country music star in the late '60s and early '70s

Several hits led Lynn to become the first-ever female Entertainer of the Year.

The Everett Collection

Loretta Lynn was one of the most influential women in country music history. From her rise to fame in the late-Sixties and early-Seventies, to a pair of Grammys in the mid-2000s, Lynn's lyrics have resonated with millions of listeners in a relateable and powerful manner for over 50 years. 

Often referred to as one of the queens of country music, her roots in rural America, specifically Van Lear, Kentucky, sprouted a career that took pride in a simple upbringing, and a career that challenged stereotypes for female country singers of the time.

Lynn gave her fans a look into her early life in small-town America with one of her biggest hits, "Coal Miner's Daughter." In the tune, which begins with a classic banjo riff and the southern drawl of Lynn singing, "well I was born a miner's daughter. In a cabin on a hill in Butcher Holler." 

According to the Associated Press, Lynn claimed "Butcher Holler" was her birthplace in Kentucky but, "there really wasn't a Butcher Holler... She later told a reporter that she made up the name for the purposes of the song." 

"Coal Miner's Daughter" was arguably the hit that reached the most people, relating to the everyday life of a small coal town, with lyrics like "mommy rocked the babies at night, and read the Bible by coal oil light. And everything would start all over come break of morn." 

Her other big hits included "You Ain't Woman Enough," "Don't come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)," and "You're Lookin' At Country." 

Lynn didn't shy away from writting about birth control, cheating men and divorce with titles like "Rated X" and "The Pill." 

She collaborated with coutry music legend Conway Twitty in 1973 with another hit in "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man." 

Lynn was widely recognized for her hits, earning the Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year title in 1967, 1972 and 1973. In 1972, she became the first woman to earn the CMA's Entertainer of the Year Award, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame website. A short two years later, the Academy of Country Music also named her Entertainer of the Year. 

Her book, fittingly titled Coal Miner's Daughter, was re-created for the silver screen in 1980. Playing Lynn was Sissy Spacek, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the country star, according to the AP. 

She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988 but wasn't done creating successful music just yet. 

In 2005, Lynn won a pair of Grammys for her Van Lear Rose album, which featured the title track along with "Portland, Oregon" and 11 other tunes.

In a statement to the Associated Press, Lynn's family says the singer died Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 at her home in Hurricane, Tennessee.

She was 90. 

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16 Comments

Charlotte 24 months ago
My husband's family are all from the "hollars" of Kentucky. He even had a few cousins play extras in the Coal Miners movie. It was like a family member had passed. May she RIP.
McGillahooala 24 months ago
I was never a fan but my dad who passed on earlier this year always was. I remember watching her when I was a kid. She was a very good person from everything I’ve seen about her. R.I.P.
RkBke 24 months ago
wasnt she on dukes of hazard?
daDoctah 24 months ago
Shouldn't the article at least have mentioned in passing that Crystal Gayle was her sister?
DethBiz 24 months ago
RIP Loretta Lynn. Reunited with her dear friend Conway Twitty.
KawiVulc 24 months ago
She came aboard USS Independence (carrier) while we were underway on an 8 or 9 month deployment to the east Med in the mid 80s & did a hanger deck show. Seemed like even the guys who didn't care much for country appreciated that she did that for us. RIP.
KendallMarine 24 months ago
One of the greatest country music singers of all time.
Michael 24 months ago
Yes, she deserves remembrance. I saw the movie when it came out, that's,why her death is a loss.

Butthere's no tv connection, other than live performances.

I had expected a story about Louise Fletcher, who may not havedonetv, I don't know, but was an actress.
Michael 24 months ago
This comment has been removed.
LoveMETV22 Michael 24 months ago
Louise Fletcher did quite a few TV Series and TV Movies, actually pretty active up to about 5 years ago. However R.I.P. to Louise Fletcher as well.
MrsPhilHarris Michael 24 months ago
Louise Fletcher was on Perry Mason.
tanya7100 Michael 24 months ago
Loretta Lynn was on an episode of "Roseanne" called Lanford Daze. She played herself, supposedly performing for Founders Day. At the end of the episode, Roseanne and Loretta sing a snippet of You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man.
LoveMETV22 24 months ago
R.I.P. Loretta Lynn. A true Country music legend whose music spanned many decades. You'll be missed but your music will live on. Thank You for your contributions.
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