Farewell Loretta, American Icon

What can I say that so many others have said today with far greater eloquence?

Loretta Lynn was an undeniable force of nature: bucking every gender norm you could name within one of America’s most conservative music idioms… while kicking ass and taking names. One listen to The Pill or Fist City and you know this was an artist you would be ill-advised to fuck with.

I had the pleasure of seeing Loretta only once, at the historic Texas venue Gruene Hall in 2017. She was getting on in years, and a cold she was suffering required that she sit down for most of the show, but she brought the goods nevertheless. An unforgettable show by any measure, and I feel lucky to have experienced it.

Rest in power, dear Loretta. Thank you for the music.

Brent Baldwin