Five Weeks After Loretta Lynn Died, Three Country Queens Walked Out Together and Sang the Story of Her Life

She was born Loretta Webb in a place called Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, in 1932. Her daddy, Ted, worked in the coal mines.

She turned that hard life into songs that made her one of the greatest voices country music ever had.

In 1972, Loretta Lynn became the first woman ever named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association. Her life story became the movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” with Sissy Spacek playing Loretta.

On October 4, 2022, Loretta passed away at the age of 90.

Five weeks later, on November 9, the CMA Awards opened at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The lights went down, and three of country’s biggest stars walked out to honor her.

Carrie Underwood went first with “You Ain’t Woman Enough.” Miranda Lambert followed with “Don’t Come Home a-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”

Then Reba McEntire sang “You’re Lookin’ at Country,” changing one line just for the night: “If you’re looking at Loretta, you’re looking at country.”

Finally, the three women stood side by side and sang the song that said it all, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

They weren’t just paying respects to a legend. They were singing for a friend. Reba and Carrie had both recorded with Loretta on her 2021 album “Still Woman Enough,” and Miranda had recorded “Coal Miner’s Daughter” with her years before.

It was a goodbye fit for a queen. Somewhere, you have to believe, Loretta was smiling.

What is your favorite Loretta Lynn song? Share it in the comments.