Patty Loveless has already been named as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Now her extraordinary life and career will be honored with a new exhibit, Patty Loveless: No Trouble With The Truth, as well.
The exhibit will cover Loveless’ extraordinary life and career, from her early years in Elkhorn City, Kentucky, through her unprecedented career in country music, including her 13 Grammy nominations (with two wins) and a permanent place as one of country music’s most influential singers.
“My journey into a career of music all started out on an Epiphone acoustic guitar my father bought for me in 1969,” Loveless says. “As a 12-year-old, I didn’t want to set the world on fire, I just wanted to play and sing music. By the age of 14, I wrote ‘Sounds of Loneliness’ and ‘I Did’ on this guitar, two songs that in 1986 ended up on my debut album for MCA Records.
“Now that guitar will be displayed in my exhibit of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where it truly belongs with other memorabilia of the many people that supported me throughout my musical journey to whom I’m forever grateful,” she adds.
Patty Loveless: No Trouble With The Truth will feature the jacket and dress worn when she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by Porter Wagoner in 1988, the jacket and pants whens he performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” with Vince Gill at George Jones’ funeral, her own 1987 Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar, and much more.
“Patty Loveless achieved lasting success by merging traditional country music styles with a modern sensibility in her song choices and musical arrangements,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, says. “As one of country music’s most accomplished song interpreters with immense vocal power, she has remained focused on conveying deep emotion through her lyrics and recordings, and her influence resonates throughout today’s generation of country artists.”
Loveless will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year, alongside Tanya Tucker and Bob McDill.
Photo Credit: John Russell/CMA
“I’m trying to hold back my tears, because there are some wonderful people that have made it possible for me to be here today,” Loveless said when news of her induction was announced. “And one especially, is my wonderful brother, Roger Ramey. Roger, he believed in me all these years. I lost my brother last June, but I know he’s probably got the best seat in the house, but he is so happy in this moment.
“I want to thank the Country Music Association and also the Country Music Hall of Fame,” she continued. “I remember in ’71, they were in another location, the Hall of Fame was. I remember as a young girl, walking through the hall, and now I see so many [others] hanging on the wall, and as I walked again, I got very emotional, thinking, ‘I’m gonna be alongside of them.’ I am so honored, and it is such a privilege to be a part of this family, and to be accepted, and I thank you. It’s been a long road from the age of 14. Thank God I’m here, and thank you all so much.”
Patty Loveless: No Trouble With The Truth will open on August 23, and remain open through October of 2024. More information can be found at CountryMusicHallofFame.org.