Alan Jackson paid tribute to the late Loretta Lynn on Sunday evening (Oct. 30) during Lynn’s public memorial service, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn.
The 2022 CMT Artist Of A Lifetime delivered an emotional performance of “Where Her Heart Has Always Been,” a song he wrote for his late mother, Ruth, when she passed away, in memory of the late “You Ain’t Woman Enough” singer.
“And I could hear the roses sing / A bluebird softly claps its wings / The sun seemed brighter than it’s ever been / And now she’s dancing in the wind / With her true love again / Where her heart has always been,” Jackson sang on the chorus.
Prior to performing the tune, Jackson expressed his gratitude to the Lynn family for allowing him to honor the country music icon and shared how Lynn often reminded him of his late mother.
“Both were outgoing, sweet and genuine and would tell you exactly what was on their minds,” Jackson said.
After hearing the news of Lynn’s passing, Jackson took to social media to remember the late Country Music Hall of Famer.
“Sweet @lorettalynnofficial, there will never be another Honky Tonk girl like you,” Jackson wrote. ”I’m gonna miss you.”
Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn featured performances from Alan Jackson, Brandi Carlile, Darius Rucker, George Strait, The Highwomen’s Carlile, Amanda Shires + Natalie Hemby with Brittany Spencer, Jack White, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Margo Price, Emmy Russell + Lukas Nelson, Tanya Tucker and Wynonna with Gaither Vocal Band + Larry Strickland.
The public memorial service was co-hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and also featured heartfelt messages from Barbara Mandrell, Darius Rucker, Faith Hill, Hoda Kotb, Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow, and Tim McGraw. Additionally, Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Marty Stuart, Miranda Lambert, Reba, Sissy Spacek, and Taylor Swift shared sweet video tributes.
In loving memory of the life and legacy of Loretta Lynn, The Loretta Lynn Foundation exists to establish, preserve, and promote public awareness of the historical and cultural contributions of Loretta Lynn and the cultural contributions of country music as a genre and to establish, preserve, and maintain an educational and recreational facility for the general public through which to give to and serve others. For more information and to make a donation, visit foundation.lorettalynn.com or text LORETTA to 53-555.
Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn aired live and commercial-free on CMT and SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse: Willie Nelson’s Classic Country (Channel 59).
Loretta Lynn passed away on Tuesday, October 4 at the age of 90. “Our precious mom, Loretta Lynn, passed away peacefully this morning, October 4th, in her sleep at home at her beloved ranch in Hurricane Mills,” the Lynn family shared.
She was later laid to rest on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on Friday, October 7.
Over the course of her iconic 60-year career, Lynn earned a staggering 51 Top 10 hits and 16 No.1 hits to her name, including “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Fist City” and “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).” She has also sold over 45 million albums worldwide.
Lynn has also garnered every accolade available in music from GRAMMY awards to induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has won four GRAMMY Awards, seven American Music Awards and eight Country Music Association awards. Lynn was the first woman to ever win the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards for Entertainer of the Year.
She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008, and was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
