George Strait was one of many country artists to pay tribute to the late country legend Loretta Lynn during Coal Miner's Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn, which aired live from the Grand Ole Opry House on Sunday, Oct. 30.
Strait, who remembered Lynn as "one helluva songwriter and entertainer," performed Lynn's 1967 song "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)." The song, which Lynn wrote with her sister Peggy Sue Wright, was the Coal Miner's Daughter's first No. 1 hit.
'I love her and miss her dearly," Strait said of Lynn ahead of his performance.
The concert, hosted by Jenna Bush Hager, also featured performances from Wynonna, who performed the hymn "How Great Thou Art" with Gaither Vocal Band and Larry Strickland, Alan Jackson, The Highwomen (Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Amanda Shires and Brittney Spencer), Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Tanya Tucker, Margo Price and Jack White. Lukas Nelson joined Lynn's granddaughter Emmy Russell for a special performance of "Lay Me Down," the first duet between Lynn and Willie Nelson.
Several artists shared heartfelt memories of Lynn, including Martina McBride, who remembered how Lynn championed fellow female singer-songwriters.
"Women of country music could not be where we are today without Loretta Lynn," McBride said.
Lynn's granddaughter Tayla Lynn and daughter Patsy Lynn Russell shared how proud they are of everything Lynn had accomplished and the comfort they take in the fact that the country icon is loved by people around the world.
Lynn died peacefully in her sleep at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. on Oct. 4. She was 90 years old.
