Loretta Lynn is an icon in country music, but last night another group of musicians called her their own. The Americana Music Association gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting on Wednesday night at the Ryman Auditorium, honoring her as a pioneer among female songwriters.
Lynn first performed at the Ryman almost exactly 54 years ago. At the time, it was home to the Grand Ole Opry.
“The first time I ever sang here, I only remember patting my foot,” Lynn said Wednesday evening outside of the music venue. “I don’t remember doing my song. Just patting my foot.”
Her performance came decades before Americana music emerged as a radio format in the 1990s. “Americana” is a broad title that includes genres like bluegrass, blues, R&B and folk — and the Queen of Country Music says when she found out was getting this award, she thought they were honoring the wrong person.
Still, she says she was proud to accept it, and she took to the Ryman stage once again, singing her classic “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
The 82-year-old told the audience that her tour bus was waiting outside. She was about to drive 800 miles overnight, she said, to play in Iowa the next day.
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