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Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood will perform the opening tribute to Loretta Lynn at the 56th annual CMA Awards this week, the Country Music Association announced on Tuesday afternoon (November 8).
Lynn, a legendary country music trailblazer, died on October 4 at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. She was 90. Her memorial service, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music Of Loretta Lynn, was held at the Grand Ole Opry on Sunday, October 30. CMT worked with Sandbox Productions to host the service, which aired live and will be available to stream on Paramount+ early next year. Lynn's family said in a statement following the service: “Our hearts are so deeply touched by the beautiful tribute held Sunday night at the [Opry] to honor Loretta's life and legacy. The night perfectly captured her career and the performances were phenomenal. Above all each song came from true friends, and the room was filled with her family, her friends, and her fans. Love filled the room and surrounded each of us.”
Lambert, McEntire and Underwood each paid tribute to Lynn after losing the Butcher Holler, Kentucky native last month, as the country music community (and beyond) mourned Lynn's loss. Lambert shared a few sweet throwback photos with Lynn, writing on Instagram that she’s “so heartbroken to hear about Loretta’s passing. She was so kind to me and she blazed so many trails for all of us girls in country music. Thanks you for all the songs . Miss you. Fly high. 🦋💙”
McEntire posted a photo, writing in her heartfelt caption that her “Mama” and Lynn are “both in Heaven,” and it “sure makes me feel good that Mama went first so she could welcome Loretta into the hollers of heaven! I always did and I always will love Loretta. She was always so nice to me. I sure appreciate her paving the rough and rocky road for all us girl singers.”
Underwood, amid her heartwarming tribute and gratefulness to have known the country music legend, reflected on the first time they met. It was at the Grand Ole Opry toward the beginning of Underwood’s career. The American Idol champ “was chatting in the corner with another artist and someone walked behind me and smacked me on the rear end! I turned around and there she was…in a big sparkly dress…laughing as she continued to walk down the hall at what she had just done…
“Thank you, Loretta, for showing us how it’s done. May you Rest In Peace in the arms of Jesus and add your heavenly voice to the angel choir.”
Watch the 56th annual CMA Awards live on ABC on Wednesday, November 9 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. The show will be available to watch the following day on Hulu. Listeners can also tune in on iHeartRadio Country stations. Find more info on how to watch the CMA Awards here.