When the Queen of Country Music, Loretta Lynn passed away October 4, 2022, Country Music had lost the last of a Country Music legend. She came from the coalmines of Kentucky to rise to fame in country music. Her father was coalminer and she was the oldest daughter and second child born to Clara Marie and Melvin Ted Webb. The family claimed Cherokee heritage on Loretta’s mother’s side. Not only was her father a coalminer, he was also a subsistence farmer. She was named after the film star Loretta Young.

She married Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle” Lynn on January 10, 1948, when she was 15 years old. She was still a child when she got married and soon having kids of her own. It was almost normal back then to do that; whereas, now days, it would be frowned upon as child sexual abuse; since Oliver was of age and recently served a stint in the military.

This was a similarity when my older brother, who was 21 years old when he married his wife-to-be, who was 17 years old when she became pregnant with their first child. The only difference, Loretta’s wedding wasn’t a shotgun wedding like my brother’s wedding.

Another similarity is with my oldest sister, who married right out of high school to get away from home. The reason why my sister got married was because she was seen as just babysitter and housekeeper. I kind of wonder if, by chance, Loretta Lynn felt the same way; thus decided to get married at the age of 15.

Loretta Lynn began singing in local clubs in the late 1950’s. She won a local talent show in Tacoma, Washington, hosted by Buck Owens.

Her first appearance on the Grand ole Opry was in 1960 and was inducted September 25, 1962.

She credited Patsy Cline as her mentor and best friend. She also became best friends with Tammy Wynette. Loretta Lynn first duet partner was with Ernest Tubb.

She was controversial in her days as well because she was true Feminist who also was mother and wife as well. Some people frowned upon her because of some of her songs.

The autobiography movie about her really puts her in the limelight in the ’70’s.

Later on in the 70’s, her sister, Crystal Gayle. soon entered the country music scene as well, following in her big sister’s footstep. Crystal Gayle didn’t have the same success as Loretta though.

Even though, Loretta’s first duet partner was Ernest Tubb, she is more famous singing with Conway Twitty.

Patti Loveless was born Patricia Lee Ramey on January 4, 1957 in Pikeville, Kentucky. She is a distant cousin of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle.

I haven’t seen or heard any country singer who can light a candle to Loretta Lynn. She is traditional country. Reba can come close though.

The big question is about Loretta Lynn is: did she have daddy’s issues because of marrying a man quite bit older than her? Did she have daddy’s issues because of the songs she sang about her father? And she had few songs about her father too. Or did she just love and respected her father so much?

I mean, she came from a generation, in which children actually respected their parents more than they do now.

Of the older country singers, she was one of my favorites. She will live on in history as the Queen of Country Music. While other singers may come and go.

She has a granddaughters who tried out for the American Idol but didn’t do very well.

Do you agree?

The next 2 blogs will have a Father’s Day’s connection as well; so stay tuned.

Heaven got another angel with Loretta Lynn for their choir in heaven.