Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, Emmy Russell, joined forces with Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, to honor the late country icon during her public memorial service, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn, on Sunday (Oct. 30).
Emmy and Lukas joined forces on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry to perform “Lay Me Down,” the first song Loretta and Willie ever recorded together.
The pair earned a standing ovation with their performance of the Loretta and Willie duet, which is featured on Lynn’s 2016 album, Full Circle.
“I am so proud to be able to sing a song with my friend, Willie. I love this song, ‘Lay Me Down,’ so much,” Lynn previously shared of the song. “It had been 30 years since we’d last seen each other. Willie and I got to meet and talk about old times when we shot the music video in Nashville. Willie is one of those people that, even if you haven’t seen them for 30 years, you feel like it was just yesterday. We have a natural respect and love for each other.”
Following Lynn’s passing, Nelson took to social media to offer his heartfelt condolences.
“Loretta was a good friend and fantastically talented. She was a great writer, singer, and human being. I’ll miss her a lot,” he wrote.
In addition, Loretta’s granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, joined forces with Loretta’s daughter Patsy Lynn Russell during the star-studded memorial to recall wonderful memories they shared with the late Country music icon.
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. She was later laid to rest on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee on Friday, October 7. Lynn was laid to rest next to her late husband, Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle,” during a private ceremony.
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. She 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.
