Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright delivered a touching tribute to their sister, the late Loretta Lynn, during the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration.
The moving tribute took place at Schermerhorn Symphony Center as CMT Artists of the Year honorees such as Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Walker Hayes, and Cody Johnson watched on.
Tanya Tucker was on hand to introduce Crystal and Peggy Sue and also share a few words about the late country music icon.
“It’s so special to me that we can take a moment to celebrate her tonight,” Tucker shared. I have been so blessed with the gift of her music and also with the gift of her friendship. She guided me through this business even before we met.”
She went on to recall watching Loretta Lynn as a child and how she always looked up to her.
“I really treasure the time that we got to spend together. She’d call me and she’d say, ‘Honey do you need some money?’ Well, there have been times I wished I had said ‘yeah,’” she laughed. “She went from being my hero to being my truly, truly great friend. And then back to being my hero again. I miss Loretta so much.”
Tucker welcomed the sisters, who joined together to perform Lynn’s iconic hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue had emotions running high as the audience joined them in song in honor of the great Loretta Lynn.
Lynn passed away at the age of 90 on Tuesday, October 4. She was laid to rest on her Tennessee property a few days later.
The 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year celebrated the success Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes have seen throughout the past year.
Alan Jackson was honored as the CMT Artist Of A Lifetime. The prestigious honor, presented by Ram Trucks, was previously awarded to Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014).
Lainey Wilson was named the 2022 CMT Breakout Artist Of The Year. Wilson is the fifth recipient of the award, following Mickey Guyton (2021), Ashley McBryde (2019), Kelsea Ballerini (2016), and Chris Stapleton (2015).
The 90-minute concert event featured performances from Jackson, Pearce, Johnson, Brown and Wilson. Hayes joined forces with Ciara for a never-before-seen performance of their “Y’all Life” remix. Riley Green also took the stage to honor Luke Combs.
A heartwarming tribute to the late Loretta Lynn, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 90, also took place during the star-studded event when her sisters, Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright, performed in her honor.
In addition to a star-studded list of performances, the show also included presenters: Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flatts’ frontman Gary LeVox, Kelsea Ballerini, Yellowstone’s Kelsey Asbille, and Shane McAnally.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared remotely from his annual Dale Jr. Foundation charity event in North Carolina to present Combs with his 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year award.
The 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year premiered on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c on CMT.
