We need to send Loretta Lynn another "Get-Well" card, the soon to be 85-year old broke her hip at her home in Tennessee, while still recovering from a stroke she suffered in May of last year.
According to her sister, country singer Crystal Gayle, the "Coalminer's Daughter" is "doing as well as can be expected with this type of injury." Loretta's team soon followed with their own tweet and the same message on her website, saying that she's doing well and is thanking all her fans for the thoughts and prayers.
After her stroke last year, Loretta Lynn not only canceled all of her tour dates but also the release of her new album "WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT" to 2018 so she would be able to promote it properly. Her only public appearances after her stroke were at a benefit at her Hurricane Mills' Ranch and at the induction of Alan Jackson into the Country Music Hall of Fame both in October of last year.
Her last album, "FULL CIRCLE" on Legacy Records, a collection of classics and new songs, she recorded with the help of her daughter Patsy and John Carter Cash was released in March 2016 and was nominated for a Grammy Award in February of last year. "Everything It Takes" a song, Loretta co-wrote with Todd Snider is from that release.
P.S. Happy Birthday to Crystal Gayle, who turns 67 today (1/9); may her wishes come through that her sister will fully recover.
"Coalminer's Daughter" Loretta Lynn, who suffered a stroke in May, was able to leave a rehabilitation facility and is now back home in Tennessee surrounded by her family.
“Thank you so much for all of your prayers, love, and support. I’m happy to say that I’m at home with my family and getting better by the day! My main focus now is making a full recovery so that I can get back to putting all of me into what I love, sharing my music with all of you."
she posted on her website.
Besides recovering and therefore canceling the remaining 2017 tour dates, the 85-year-old singer also postponed the release of her new album, "WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT" which was supposed to be released in August to some time next year.
"I now want to wait to release it next year because this record is so special for me. It deserves me at my best and I can’t wait to share it. I want to thank everyone for hanging in there with me. I am getting stronger every day and can’t wait to get back out there with all of you."
Produced by John Carter Cash and Loretta's daughter Patsy Lynn Russell, the album, like last year's Grammy-nominated album "FULL CIRCLE," offers a combination of new songs and re-recordings of some of her biggest hits, like "Coalminer's Daughter," "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)." and a retake on "God Makes No Mistakes" from her 2004 album "Van Lear Rose." All of the songs, on the highly expected album, were either written or co-written by Lynn. Three of the new songs "Ruby's Stool," "The Big Man" and "I'm Dying for Someone to Live For" are collaborations with Shawn Camp, two "Ain't No Time To Go" and "These Ole Blues" were co-written with daughter Patsy. The song list for the new album also mentions an obscure song, Loretta co-wrote with Lola Jean Dillon, "Another Bridge To Burn." It may be a recording of a song, Loretta was talking about to Neil Strauss in a 1999 New York Times Interview but so far hasn't seen the light of day yet.
In her message on her website, Loretta also cracked a joke, about Willie Nelson still being around:
"I’m just letting everybody know that Willie ain’t dead yet and neither am I, and I can’t wait to see all of you on the road!”
She probably quipped the joke, as Nelson released "Still Not Dead" on his album "PROBLEM CHILD" earlier this year. But both octogenarians look at life and death intently and showcased that in a beautiful duet recording of Loretta's son-in-law Mark Marchetti penned-song "Lay Me Down" from "FULL CIRCLE."
According to family sources, she's getting stronger every day - we sure wish her a speedy recovery.
Is the party finally on? "Drinking With Dolly," the new single from Stephanie Quayle not only laments the classier past, but also the missing role of female country artists in today's bro-country environment.
Lament may be the wrong word, the song, written by singer/songwriters Victoria Banks and Rachel Proctor - as a team they also wrote Jessica Simpson's "Come On Over" and others - is actually more of a celebration of strong womanhood. While mentioning Jeannic C. Riley's take on Tom T. Hall's "Harper Valley PTA," Dolly (Parton), Tammy (Wynette), and Loretta (Lynn) are mentioned by name in the song. All three recorded several songs in the sixties and seventies about new roles for women - for instance, "Just Because I'm A Woman" by Dolly, "I Don't Wanna Play House" by Tammy, and "The Pill" by Loretta.
"Drinking with Dolly
After the Opry
Pour one for Tammy too
Put on my rhinestones
Paint up my nails
Kick up my dancing shoes
Hey there Loretta
Put a quarter in the jukebox
We'll sing along with you
We'll raise up a glass
Wish Patsy could be here too
To talk about men
Cuz that's what women do"
The song is not only a delight for strong women characters but also for fans of traditional country music. Producer Matt McClure did an excellent job of keeping it down and simple with an organic feel to it. There is actually some fiddle here and some pedabro (or is it just dobro) there. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the accurate musician's credits for this great recording.
In the five years since Stephanie Quayle moved to Nashville, she had several singles and videos released before, but none actually cracked the radio charts. But if you would like to hear that on your radio station, call your programmers up and tell them, you want to go "Drinking With Dolly."
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Willie...
glad to type that, and see that Willie is still going strong.
Some 30 years ago, Willie gave me due to a gig at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, my first front page story and picture in one of the biggest Sunday newspapers in Switzerland. A week earlier, I was able to interview and shoot him at the legendary Wembley Arena in London, where he was part of a three day country music festival over the Easter weekend. This and a personal favor while in Switzerland - not what you are thinking - I simply organized him a gym where he could go and work out, without being bothered, led to a great friendship with his late tour manager Poodie Locke. After moving to Austin, I was able to go see Willie and "Trigger" when ever I wanted. So thanks for still being around, for still pickin' and grinnin'...
A couple of weeks ago, Loretta Lynn turned 84 and just had a brand mew album "Full Circle" out. Hard to believe that both Willie and her with 50+ year careers, never recorded together before. The two octogenarians hit it off on the first take and duet beautifully on this album. Even though their collaboration "Lay Me Down" deals with mortality, it's amazing to see the "joie de vivre" in their performance. The video was shot at the Ryman Auditorium, the original Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Loretta Lynn & Willie Nelson
I actually don't know of any other artist in every music genre that has recorded more duet songs with such a variety of artists. From Toots & The Maytals and U2, beyond Bob Dylan and Matchbox20 to all the regular country "suspects" as well as from his first wife Shirley Collie, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias and Tony Bennett, just to name a few.
Less than a year ago, Willie and the late Merle Haggard had a number-one country music album with their duet album "Django & Jimmie," not only honoring Reinhardt and Rogers, but also the Man in Black "Missing Johnny Cash." Well "all the whiskey in Lynchburg, Tennessee just couldn't hit the spot, it's all going to pot..."
Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson
Celebrating same more herbal medicine, the original gangster and birthday boy together with Snoop Dog.
Celebrating same more herbal medicine, the original gangster and birthday boy together with Snoop Dog.
So celebrate like Willie would (will), today and while you are listening to the below concert, recorded on June, 7th, 2000 at the Paradiso in Amsterdam, come up in the comments with some duets Willie did that belong to your favorites.
