What Did We Learn From Loretta?

Loretta Lynn was a national treasure! The outpouring of love after her death was comforting. She was not just a Country music jewel, but also the world’s. Her origin story is authentic, and she was a 100% country girl.

A product of depression era Kentucky, she shared her life and gave us her take on life with any who would listen. Loretta was part of Country music’s evolution and revolution. She was standing up for her sisters who weren’t quite ready to burn their bras. She stood up for herself. Certain male behavior was not going to be tolerated. Certain floozies were going to get a “Fist City” if they didn’t look out.

Loretta Lynn was the real thing. Shania Twain said without Loretta there would be no Shania. Tim McGraw called her timeless. Her star fans and her fan club fans couldn’t get online fast enough to sing her praises. It was very hard at times for us to watch her move into those golden years.

“Coal Miner’s Daughter” is worth another view. Go back and listen to that smooth, Owen Bradley-produced era of her blast off.

Her family took great care of her in these last few years. Her smile and that twinkle in her eye are unforgettable. She was an important figure in the history of Country music. I know that future memorial service for her is going to be heavenly!

An inside note from a journalist to her family: Thank you for putting out her passing to the Associated Press. Everyone got it at the same time. There was no doubt about its truthfulness. It was the right way to put out this difficult information. To the rest of you publicists, take a lesson here … go get the contact information for the AP!

As we steam into the fall, is there even a little idea what the CMA Awards show will feel like this year? No feeling of buzz yet.

Random notes: The HARDY tour bus accident. No one was able to turn up a picture of a high profile accident with multiple injuries. The state of newsgathering in Nashville is sad.

The Garth Brooks concerts in the Missouri Ozarks: The fan experience parking, miles long traffic jams, $14–$18 beers? Why was there no reporting on this? Is the only Country news these days coming from press releases?

Tour bus safety, and concert security/safety/comfort are big issues. Important issues.

Elton John’s last Nashville show: Saw little to nothing on that … one Tennessean story. No interest in that either? Where is everybody?