Jack White, who was instrumental in bringing Loretta Lynn’s name back into the public eye nearly two decades ago, has been announced as an addition to the all-star tribute concert taking place Sunday night at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House and airing live on CMT.
The Oct. 30 telecast of “Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life & Music of Loretta Lynn” will re-air Nov. 2 and 6; airtimes for both reprise airings are 8 ET/PT and 7 CT.
White (pictured above at rehearsal for the special) produced Lynn’s “Van Lear Rose” comeback album in 2003 and sang “Portland, Oregon” with her as a duet on the record. Rather than that, or Lynn’s “Rated X,” which was famously covered by the White Stripes, White is singing the title track of “Van Lear Rose.”
The broadcast will also include rare footage of White and Lynn singing an early song of hers, “Whispering Sea,” that was previously seen only as part of a “Van Lear Rose” package for Third Man Vault subscribers. Besides White and Lynn recording together, she and the White Stripes shared a bill together on several occasions, including a memorable gig at the Ryman Auditorium near the time “Van Lear Rose” came out.
Performers previously announced for the program include George Strait, Brandi Carlile, Wynonna Judd with the Gaither Vocal Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Margo Price, Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle, Little Big Town, the duo of Emmy Russell and Lukas Nelson, and the Highwomen (with Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby joined by fresh recruit Brittney Spencer).
Testimonials will be offered on the special by Sheryl Crow, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride and Hoda Kotb.
This won’t be the last of Nashville’s salutes to Lynn, who died Oct. 4 at age 92. The upcoming CMA Awards show, to be broadcast live Nov. 9 from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC, will have its own Lynn tribute to open the telecast; no artists for that have yet been announced.
