Keith Urban went unplugged at Loretta Lynn's memorial service, trading his electric guitar for an acoustic banjo. He didn't tone down his energy as a live performer by any means, though, with his rendition of 1971's "You're Looking at Country" doing one of Lynn's trailblazing hits as a songwriter and recording artist justice.
Urban and others honored Lynn in song at Coal Miner's Daughter: a Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn, a live CMT broadcast hosted on Sunday night (Oct. 30) at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House.
Before his performance, Urban brought a little levity to a somber event by playing a voicemail from Lynn that bluntly told him that she was having a birthday party soon and "I want to see your butt there." Urban partied with Lynn on her big day at least once, jumping out of her birthday cake during a 2019 concert that celebrated the Country Music Hall of Famer turning 87.
Urban had sung "You're Looking at Country" at a Nashville concert earlier in October, with it and "Blue Kentucky Girl" making it onto his Oct. 7 setlist at Bridgestone Arena. The Speed of Now World Tour stop also brought fans a pair of live duets between Urban and Luke Combs.
The veteran superstar's appearance highlighted a night featuring the likes of George Strait, Tanya Tucker, Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, Margo Price, Jack White, Little Big Town, Brandi Carlile and The Highwomen (Carlile, Brittney Spencer, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby) and the following collaborations: Lukas Nelson with Emmy Russell and Wynonna Judd with Larry Strickland and the Gaithers.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Martina McBride were among the country stars appearing onstage to share memories of Lynn. Celebrities providing video statements included Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Miranda Lambert, Marty Stuart and Sissy Spacek.
