Carly Pearce honored Loretta Lynn with a performance of her song, “Dear Miss Loretta” at the Grand Ole Opry, on the same day Lynn passed away. Pearce spoke out about Lynn’s passing, and her influence in her own life, before performing the song she wrote in tribute to the country music legend.
“We absolutely lost one of the greatest that there ever was, and will be,” Pearce said from the stage. “And as I stand here tonight, I feel overwhelmed with just the legacy, and the beauty that she is, and she was. She heard me, which is quite crazy to me. I played this song on the Opry stage. I debuted it, just like I’m going to do it tonight. Loretta happened to be watching the livestream of the Grand Ole Opry, and heard me sing this song.”
Pearce played, for the first time publicly, the voicemail that Lynn left her after her “Dear Miss Loretta” debut.
“I felt like tonight, standing on the Opry stage, in the circle, that the Honky Tonk Angel that she is now officially, that maybe she wants me to do this,” Pearce said. “This is a message that I got from Loretta Lynn last year.”
The voicemail from Lynn was short and sweet, praising Pearce for the pure country song.
“Hi Carly. This is Loretta, honey,” she said. “I’m laying here in bed, just taking it easy. I’m fixin’ to get up and try to wash my face maybe, and comb my hair … But anyway, I love your song. Thank you, sweetheart. I love you, honey. Come and see me sometime.”
Pearce then performed “Dear Miss Loretta” in her honor, earning a lengthy standing ovation.
“I’ve listened to that message a lot today, and if that does not capture the purist form and the essence of her beautiful soul, I don’t know what else does,” Pearce said. “I love you too, Loretta, and I’m gonna sing your song for you tonight.”
Pearce also spoke about Lynn and her legacy on social media, shortly after the news of her passing was announced.
“She showed us all how to unapologetically tell the truth,” she tweeted. “One of the greatest there ever will be. I’ll be singing ‘Dear Miss Loretta‘ with a little extra love tonight at the Opry. Now she really is a Honky Tonk Angel.”
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