I’m still not a big fan of Country Music, especially the mass-produced, over polished style nicknamed Nash Vegas as per Webb Wilder. Yet I have respect for Loretta given how she wrote a song called/about “The Pill.” A rather taboo subject when it was released. Nice to know a star at the peak of her power use this clout to push forward on social progress unlike many today. Sure Madonna and Taylor Shit will say something, just not anything as risky as a song and they’re all too scared given the backlash the (Dixie) Chicks suffered for criticism Dubious Bush.
As per many, I learned about her via the movie Coal Miner’s Daughter. I guess my parents thought it was going to be alright for kids until that creepy honeymoon evening she had with her husband Oliver. Ewwww! It beats Revenge of the Nerds for inappropriateness, despite them being married. The rest was amusing enough to keep me from being bored. It didn’t change my mind much about Loretta’s music because it was all the WMAQ crap dad listened to.
Loretta did influence many. The only one coming to mind is Jack White. He produced one of her last albums and appeared with her at an awards show. I’m confident Loretta had a positive effect on the many female artists doing what’s called Americana I enjoy: Rosanne Cash, Amanda Shires and Brandi Carlisle. It’s what Country I respect has evolved into. It has the Country sound elements while maintaining the parts the genre used to have until Tricky Dick found a way to hijack it into his camp.
Thanks for everything Mrs. Lynn. You did push the needle further in a good direction for women, music and to some extent, where you came from.