Loretta Lynn was over the moon for getting a statue at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
What Loretta Lynn Tweeted
Lynn shared her thoughts about her new lifelike statue on social media. “I still can’t get over this statue,” she tweeted on Thursday (October 22). “I remember showing up and sleeping in the parking lot and hanging out on the sidewalk like it was yesterday. Now they can’t get ever get rid of me! Love the Opry and the Ryman!”
Her Statement
“I will never forget the morning Dolittle and I pulled in and parked in front of the Ryman Auditorium for the very first time,” she told Music Row in a statement. “It was 1960 and I had a No. 14 record on the charts called ‘I’m A Honky Tonk Girl.’ My dream, like thousands of other singers, was just to sing on the Grand Ole Opry.”
Lynn called being a member of the Grand Ole Opry as one of the greatest honors of her life and that there’s no place like it. For those who don’t know, the Ryman was the original home to the iconic Opry radio show and concert series.
“Now they’re unveiling this statue in my honor,” she said in disbelief. “It’s like I’m going to get to be there for many more years to come. It means so much to have the statue and to be a part of all of these wonderful artists. One day soon I’m gonna get to come up there and see it for myself. But for today I want to say thank you and I love each and every one of you for thinking of me.”
The Statue
The statue of Lynn is on the Icon Walk just outside of the Ryman Auditorium. She sits at the northwest corner of the building by Fifth Avenue. Artist Ben Watts created the stunning statue of Lynn holding her signature guitar.
Other country musicians that are on the walk include Bill Monroe and Little Jimmy Dickens. On October 20, The Ryman Auditorium revealed the row of statues of iconic country musicians.
Watch the unveiling, below.
