This heartfelt tribute to the late Loretta Lynn was an unforgettable gathering of country music’s finest, but it was Lynn’s grandaughters, Emmy Russell and Lukas Nelson who truly captured the essence of the evening. Their duet was more than just a performance; it was an emotional homage across generations, linking the legacies of two country music legends.
Emmy, Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, shared a poignant memory during the event, “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn,” broadcasted from the iconic Grand Ole Opry. “She always stood in the corner and called me on stage. I’d sing a song—one original and one that everybody knew,” Russell reminisced. “It’s the first time that she’s not here to look at me with her proud eyes. It’s just special. Thank you for listening.”
Then, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson’s son, joined Emmy on stage, creating a moment charged with emotion and history. Their rendition of “Lay Me Down,” a song that marks Willie and Loretta’s sole collaboration from Lynn’s 2016 album “Full Circle,” was a tribute that resonated deeply with everyone present. The audience’s standing ovation was a testament to the impact of their performance, as if they were seeing Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn performing on stage one more time.
The night, steered by host Jenna Bush Hager, also saw performances from Alan Jackson, Wynonna, Larry Strickland, The Highwomen, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Tanya Tucker, Margo Price, and Jack White. Esteemed figures like Sissy Spacek, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift also graced the event with their presence.
Loretta Lynn passed away on October 4, 2022, at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, at 90, leaving behind an illustrious six-decade career. As a trailblazer for women in music, a four-time Grammy winner, and the first woman to be named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 1972. Lynn’s legacy, marked by over 45 million records sold worldwide, continues to inspire and resonate with generations of music enjoyers.