Loretta Lynn

One of the greatest female country singers in history is Loretta Lynn. Born on April 14^th, 1932, in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, Lynn was the second of eight children. She grew up in a coal mining town because her dad worked in the mines. She was highly involved in music during her childhood, singing at churches and other local venues, but gave up after getting married at age 15 to Oliver Lynn, then 21-years-old. The couple had six children, four of them before Lynn turned 21.

Lynn’s musical career resurfaced when her husband bought her a Harmony guitar and she taught herself to play. Soon afterwards she formed her own band with her brother Jay Lee Webb and in 1960, signed with Zero Records. Her popularity soon rose and Lynn began releasing more and more songs and touring the country to promote country music. Not long after, Lynn started performing at the Grand Ole Opry, contributing to her acceptance into the group in 1962.

Some of Loretta’s most notable songs include “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, “Fist City”, “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinking (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)”, and “One’s on the Way.” She released some controversial songs, such as “The Pill”, about birth control; “Dear Uncle Sam”, in response to the Vietnam War; and “Rated ‘X’”, about the double standards of divorced women. In 1980 the film “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was released. Starring Sissy Spacek as Lynn, it was based on Lynn’s early life and rise to fame in the music business.

As a musician, I love going back to the roots of my culture to find inspiration for my music. Even though I’m not a huge fan of country music, I enjoy listening to the older country stars such as Loretta Lynn. It’s a great change from listening to the pop music of today and an excellent way to learn about a famous singer and her background. Her songs tell the story of her life and how she came to be the Grand Ole Opry legend she currently is today.

                                                                                    -C