Saturday, October 8, 2022

"Coal Miner's Daughter" ~ My Tribute to Loretta Lynn

" Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Jesus
Matthew 5:4

My earliest memory of Loretta Lynn was when I was somewhere around four years old. My Daddy was working as a "jack-of-all-trades" maintenance man for a place called Huber Management, and somehow, one of the perks of his job was for us to get to live in an old, white two-story farmhouse at the end of a long lane in Englewood, Ohio. I can still see the outbuilding out back where I would play church with my dolls and stuffed animals, and the barn where my nephew, Brian, who was just 14 months younger than me, got paint in his eye. Lots and lots of memories in that place, but one that came to mind today stands out above the rest.

Bluegrass and country music was a huge part of my upbringing, and Loretta Lynn's music was a part of Mom and Dad's extensive record collection.


One day, while living in that farmhouse, I got a hold of the above Loretta Lynn record, took it upstairs to a little room off the hall where I kept my little record player, and I played that record for all it was worth. I feel sure I was singing along to the top of my lungs. At some point, something else must have caught my attention, because I left without turning off the record player. It had one of those features where it would keep automatically repeating and replaying the record over and over, and it played all throughout the day, without anyone noticing. By the time we went to bed that night, you can just imagine what kind of shape Loretta's record was in. 

After Mom, Dad, my sister, Debbie, and I had all gone to bed and the house was quiet, we heard the strangest noise. I remember Dad calling to Debbie and me in our room down the hall asking us what the noise was. Of course, we didn't know, so Dad got up to investigate and found the Loretta Lynn record, in a very warped condition, still playing! I don't remember all the songs on that album, but I clearly remember this one.

Loretta Lynn had those same, down-home, country-to-the-core qualities as the ones in Dad that I wrote about in this post. To them and their kind of people, country wasn't even about being a genre of music—it was a way of life. It was an inborn quality that followed them long after they left the poor and humble beginnings of home. County grit and survival were a part of their roots and DNA and proved the point that you can take the boy or girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the boy or girl.

Those childhood musical influences still echo in my heart and life, and I love singing covers of Loretta Lynn's songs, along with the songs of Dolly Parton and many others with Mountain Hope Band. I'm so thankful Chuck, Pat, and Michael have as deep a love and appreciation for the music as I do. One thing that has amazed me is how many other people love and appreciate it, too. In a world where country music is anything but country, I think a lot of people crave to hear what country music started out as and will always be.

On October 4, 2022, I had just gotten off the phone talking to my Aunt Linda when she called back with tears in her voice. "Cheryl, Loretta died." We both had a good cry. Aunt Linda sang Loretta's songs, too, for many years, accompanied by Uncle John on the guitar. Their covers of Loretta's solos and Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn duets were some of the best ever. As we talked, Aunt Linda said, "There is no one who could ever fill Loretta's shoes." I could not agree more.

After Kevin got home from work, he and I were talking about the same thing, and he made such a good point. This younger generation can't even understand where Loretta was coming from. The songs they write and the music they pump out aren't even in the same musical universe as that of Loretta Lynn and other country music pioneers because most haven't lived the hard kind of life that inspired the true stories in those songs. They know nothing of the life Loretta lived, growing up dirt poor in Butcher Holler. Most don't have a clue what it means to do without and sacrifice the way she did. The songs Loretta Lynn wrote came from a place of pure personal experience and first-hand hardship. They were real and authentic, and that is a quality that is entirely missing in the shallow, unwholesome noise being pumped out and labeled "country" in today's world. It is worlds-apart different from what truly defines country music. In my opinion, it doesn't deserve to be called "country," and I personally can't stand it—in case you couldn't tell.😂

That's why so many of us can relate to those old songs and that's one of the many reasons Loretta Lynn was such a precious treasure and why our hearts shatter to hear that she is no longer with us. Knowing those original, founding country music singers are all dying off leaves me with a sad, aching void inside.

I found it very telling to read Loretta Lynn's last Facebook post. To me, this speaks volumes and says all that needs to be said about who she was and what she believed.

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Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
John 3:20-21

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As long as I am able and God allows me to, I will continue to do my part to keep Loretta's and many of those other songs alive. Two of my favorite Loretta Lynn covers are the ones below. I hope you enjoy Mountain Hope Band's version of them. If you do, please consider clicking over to our YouTube channel, giving us a "like," and how about subscribing while you're there? 😁 We would appreciate it from the bottom of our grateful hearts.

Goodbye, dear, sweet Loretta Lynn. 
Your memory, legacy, songs, and unforgettable contribution to the world of country music—to all of our worlds, will forever remain in our hearts.

31 comments:

  1. Dear Cheryl,
    I think days are coming when those young today are going to have to learn to have grit as in old days. We know how to go without and there are many today that know it also and harder days are to come. It’s waking moment by moment, walking moment by moment with our Saviour Jesus that teaches us this. Praise His name. Loretta had a beautiful voice and one day we will all sing together in praise to our Lord.
    Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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    1. I completely agree with you, Shaz. I think many will soon learn what it means to sacrifice. Loretta surely did have such a beautiful voice—she was beautiful inside and out, too. Such a beautiful soul. She will be sorely missed forever. God bless you, too, and keep you in His care.

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  2. Loretta was a shining gem of a woman, and we will miss her so dearly, Cheryl. May she rest in Jesus' loving arms.

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    1. She surely was a shining gem, Martha. I will never forget the influence she had on my life.

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  3. Cheryl, this is a beautiful and authentic tribute to Loretta Lynn. You had a kindred spirit with her and her country music. I didn’t grow up with country music. My precious Dad loved the music of the big bands and we played them while I was growing. I always have a soft spot when I hear them. Often, when I unlock the door at Daddy’s, he has them playing, So I understand your beautiful words. I loved hearing your band playing these two classic Loretta songs. Lovely harmonies sweet friend!

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    1. Dear Pam! Thank you ever so much for your kind words! Yes, I surely have a kindred spirit with Loretta and her music. I am so glad you have such a special musical connection with your Daddy, too. I so appreciate your sweet visit and encouragement. God bless you, dear friend.

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  4. I also loved hearing your pure country voice!!

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    1. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, sweet Pam. God bless you always.

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  5. Keep singing and picking you all are great.

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. It truly meant so much to me.

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  6. What a beautiful tribute to the Queen of Country Music. Marty and I had the opportunity to see and hear her twice. She was truly a Queen. Love you Cheryl. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Oh, wow, Cindy! SO neat that you got to see Loretta twice! I love you so much, too, sweet friend, and miss you in our studies. God bless you always. :)

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  7. I love the stories of your heritage, friend. So rich indeed. You are making music in a new era yet with the same heart and giftedness. Bless you.

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    1. Oh, Linda! Thank you so much for that sweet and precious compliment! I pray I can live up to it. May God bless you, my friend.

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  8. I enjoyed reading your tribute to Loretta, Cheryl. As I was reading about her country home and family, I thought "Yes, it was a hard life. But at the same time it was a wonderful life. Such simplicity. And so much love that family shared. I just imagine what it was like to have a daddy like hers. She captured it all so beautifully in her song "Coal Miner's Daughter". I am in awe and envious (in a good way) of her upbringing. I also enjoyed your music. Keep singing, my friend! Hugs.

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    1. Dear Nancy! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your dear, kind words. I totally agree that the life they lived growing up was such a special, simple life. One of the saddest parts of her story is when it tells about the last time she saw her Daddy. I am so grateful you enjoyed our music, and I can't thank you enough for your encouragement. You are such a blessing to me. Sending many hugs and much love back to you.

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  9. Also want to say that I agree with you about today's "country" music. What I have heard is, indeed, unwholesome, as you say. Very sad. :(

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    1. It surely is so very sad and heartbreaking. It is not country music. Nothing about it even remotely reminds me of the pure country music that I grew up listening to. That is one reason I feel so compelled to keep those old songs alive. Your support is invaluable, my friend.

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  10. Thanks, Cheryl for stopping by to comment on my coloring post! Ah, Loretta Lynn. I'm very familiar with most of her music having listened to it as a child on 8-tracks in the car and at home. On the radio too I guess :) She was a legend unlike Naomi Judd who news reports refer to as a legend. Loretta and Dolly are both legends in country music. Speaking of Dolly, one day my granddaughter said to me that she couldn't believe that old woman, Dolly Parton, was singing Whitney Houston's song "I Will Always Love You." I was happy to tell her that was Dolly's song :) Hey, if you link up at blog parties, check mine out if you get a chance. I always have a variety of different ones going on.

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    1. Aw, you are so welcome! I really enjoyed it and it made me want to get back to coloring! Loretta surely was a true legend. She stayed so pure-hearted throughout her life and she loved the Lord so much. I saw an interview that was done with her not too long ago, and her faith was such a huge component of who she was. Oh, my goodness! That is something about what your granddaughter said! I am glad you were able to tell her the truth and hope she will give Dolly's other music a chance. Thank you so much for the invite! I am going to go over to your blog and add your link-up to my list. So very happy and grateful to meet you!

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  11. I grew up in east Tennessee and knew Loretta's music. I didn't grow up in a rural environment but a small town. I always like how real she was. She didn't pretend to be something she wasn't.

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    1. Loretta sure was real and stayed true to her roots her whole life. She was a class act and will never be forgotten. Thanks for your visit, Carol!

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  12. Oh Cheryl, what a beautiful tribute to Loretta Lynn! I also soo enjoyed hearing about your childhood in that two story white house. I crawled into that scene as I read your post. It seemed idealic! Thanks for sharing your bands covers of these two songs! Sending you much love,

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    1. Dear, sweet Karen, thank you ever so much for your visit and kind words and support. I am so thankful for you and your encouragement! I loved that house. It is the house we lived in that I wrote about our dog Princess and how she would block my sister and me from going into the road at the end of our lane. She was one smart dog. Precious memories, indeed. Sending so much love back to you and trust that all is well in your world. God bless you always, my friend.

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  13. Hello Cheryl: I'm so, so, so behind in reading blogs. Thank you for your sweet email to me. I "think" we're finally getting both us and Mom settled in our new places and can once again read and comment on blogs and have contact with my friends again. :-)
    I, too, was saddened to hear of Loretta's death but then, I thought, she's with the Lord. How can I possibly be sad? But you are right, the young ones know nothing of true country music. I miss the people of our generation and before who sang real country songs with meaning.
    Praying that you have a wonderful evening my friend.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy, it was so sweet of you to take time to comment. I have missed your comments so much! I am so happy to hear that you and your mother-in-law are getting settled. You have all been through such difficulties. I miss those who sang real country songs, too. It is very sad to know that so many have left this world and so few are filling their shoes. I love that old George Jones song, "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes." It makes me cry because there really aren't many in our modern world who are doing that. Sometimes it feels like the whole world is turned upside down, but we just have to keep our eyes on Jesus. He will never change or disappoint or leave us. God bless you, sweet friend. It was just so wonderful to hear from you again.

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  14. Cheryl, this is such a sweet and meaningful post. As a little girl who moved to America when she was 8, country music was really foreign to me. Loretta’s songs told such wonderful stories, some sad, others joyful. She was a true lady, so gifted by God with a voice that could conquer hearts, and seemingly a woman of substance. I loved reading about your childhood, too. Lidy

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    1. Dear Lidy, it was so wonderful to see your comment! Thank you for your kind words. They meant so much to me. Aw, I didn't realize you had moved to America when you were 8. Yes, Loretta surely was a true lady—married to one man for all those years and being such a devoted wife and mother and so true to her country roots. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such sweet encouragement behind. God bless you.

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  15. This is such a beautiful post Cheryl, truly Loretta Lynn was an amazing gifted lady, and you shared and sang the song about her life so beautifully! Such a wonderful tribute you wrote about her life. I loved the story of you playing her record over and over and singing to it! And I so agree with you about the modern country music, I could say the same about a lot of the modern gospel songs as well. The old gospel and country songs tell stories, and share doctrine that holds you in difficult times, so much of the new music doesn't do that. I am thankful for your love of the old country music - keep singing dear friend! The Lord is doing a mighty work through your writing and your music!

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    1. Dear, sweet friend, you will never know how much I appreciate you and your support, encouragement, kind words, prayers, and friendship. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you!

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