Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Loretta Lynn

Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville

Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member

With very humble beginnings Loretta Lynn has gone on to become one of the foremost voices in country music, an honor she has held for four decades. Growing up in the Appalachian town of Butcher Hollow, KY, Loretta married her husband, and love of her life, when she was only 14 years old. But marriage and kids didn't stop this country girl from dreaming of bigger and better things.

Background and Early Career

• While touring the club circuit in Washington state Loretta caught the interest of a representative form Zero records, who signed her in 1959.
• After switching to a new record label Loretta had her first major hit in 1961.
  Loretta Lynn was invited back to the Grand Ole Opry 21 weeks in a row by popular demand.

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• By the time Loretta was inducted on September 25, 1962, she was already a crowd favorite. Her fellow artists commented even then on how much of an inspiration this country girl was.

Loretta Lynn at the Opry

• With the release of her award winning album, Loretta has once again become a hugely popular Opry member. For dates when she will be performing be sure to check out the VME Grand Ole Opry Blog!

Notable Hits You Might Hear at the Grand Ole Opry

• "Coal Miner's Daughter"
• "Don't Come Home A'Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)"
• "You Ain't Woman Enough"
• "Wings Upon Your Horns"
• "Fist City"
• "You're Lookin' at Country"
• "I Wanna Be Free"
• "Dear Uncle Sam"
• "To Make a Man (Feel Like a Man)"
• "Rated "X""

More Details

• Loretta was the first woman to ever win the CMA Performer of the Year award.
• Loretta bought a small town in Tennessee and has turned it into a theme park-esqe place with replicas of both a coal mine and the small shack she lived in as a child.
• See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!