Alan Jackson moved to tears as he tributes Loretta Lynn with heartrending song he wrote for mom's funeral
Alan Jackson paid an emotional tribute to the legendary Loretta Lynn on Sunday evening, October 30, during her public memorial service, 'Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn'.
The 2022 CMT Artist Of A Lifetime performed 'Where Her Heart Has Always Been' -- a song he wrote for his mother when she died -- to honor the memory of the late 'You Ain't Woman Enough' singer. Prior to the song, Jackson shared that both his mother, Ruth, and Lynn were "outgoing, sweet and genuine and would tell you exactly what was on their minds." The country star sat on a stool and strummed an acoustic guitar as other players accompanied him. A small group of backing vocalists added even more character to the arrangement -- and Jackson was glassy-eyed by the end of the performance.
READ MORE
The real story behind Loretta Lynn's iconic song 'Coal Miner's Daughter'
Jackson sang in the chorus, “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 expressed his gratitude to the Lynn family before his performance. He thanked them for allowing him to honor the country icon and said Lynn often reminded him of his late mother. Upon hearing the news of Lynn's death, Jackson took to social media to pay tribute to the late Country Music Hall of Famer. “Sweet @lorettalynnofficial, there will never be another Honky Tonk girl like you,” he wrote on Instagram. ”I’m gonna miss you.”
The poignant Sunday evening also featured performances by 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. 'Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music of Loretta Lynn' was co-hosted by Jenna Bush Hager and also featured heartwarming tributes 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.
Loretta Lynn died on Tuesday, October 4, at the age of 90. She was laid to rest on Friday, October 7, at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. The music legend was buried next to her late husband, Oliver Vanetta “Doolittle,” for eternity. Over her illustrious six-decade career, Lynn had a whopping 51 Top 10 hits and 16 No 1 hit to her name, including 'Coal Miner’s Daughter', 'Fist City' and 'Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)'. Cumulatively, she has sold over a staggering 45 million albums worldwide.
Lynn has been bestowed with every musical honor there is -- right from winning several Grammy awards to being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Over the years, she won four Grammys, seven American Music Awards, and eight Country Music Association awards. Furthermore, she was the first woman to ever win the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music Awards for Entertainer of the Year. Lynn 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, Country Now reported.