Many of the biggest names in country music attended a birthday celebration for Loretta Lynn in Nashville on April 1, 2019. One of those performers was Keith Urban. And, he brought the original Queen of Country Music to tears.
On that evening, Urban and other stars took the stage at the Bridgestone Arena to honor Lynn ahead of her 87th birthday.
Urban was the third star to perform that night. He chose to sing her hit song, “Blue Kentucky Girl.” While the singer sat behind the piano and performed, Lynn could be seen wiping tears away from her eyes.
The song “Blue Kentucky Girl” was the title song of Loretta Lynn’s fourth studio album. It was written by Johnny Mullins. Emmylou Harris also recorded the song.
Here is a video from the April 2019 concert in Nashville. Keith Urban is singing and Lynn can be seen on the screen in the background.
When the Country Music Hall of Fame presented an exhibit dedicated to Loretta Lynn in 2017, “Blue Kentucky Girl” was its title. According to reports, it was a very interesting exhibit. It included the first recording contract Lynn signed, as well as the handwritten text of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Other artifacts included the Presidential Medal of Freedom Lynn received from President Barack Obama in 2013.
You can watch Loretta Lynn perform “Blue Kentucky Girl” below.
Keith Urban, George Strait, Martina McBride Celebrate Loretta Lynn
Keith Urban wasn’t the only country music star to perform in honor of Loretta Lynn at her birthday celebration. According to an article in TasteofCountry.com, there was an all-star lineup at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The lineup included: George Strait, Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Urban, Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, and Little Big Town.
As a tribute to the country legend, Strait and McBride shared their version of “Lead Me On.”
This is a song made popular by Lynn and Conway Twitty. According to a report by CountryMusicFamily.com, in “Lead Me On” Lynn’s character is doing her best to get Twitty’s character to voice his love for her. That, or so the song goes, will make her feel free enough to share the same sentiment.
With their version of “Lead Me On” George Strait and Martina McBride captured the chemistry of Lynn and Twitty. What these country legends bring is a new take on a classic song. At the same time, they maintain that classic country feeling.
Loretta Lynn Releasing New Album
Fans of Loretta Lynn can expect new music from in the coming weeks. Her latest album, “Still Woman Enough,” is due out on March 19.
The album is being produced by John Carter Cash – the son of country music royalty Johnny Cash and June Carter Casher. Lynn’s daughter, Patsy Lynn Russell, is also producing the album. The majority of “Still Woman Enough” was recorded in the Cash Cabin Studio located in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
One song that will appear on the upcoming album is Loretta Lynn’s cover of “I Saw the Light” by Hank Williams. Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Margo Price, and Tanya Tucker will all appear on “Still Woman Enough.”
