Loretta Lynn couldn’t help but beam with pride when her dear friend Reba McEntire stepped onto the stage at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003. Reba, paying tribute to the legendary "Coal Miner's Daughter," sang, "If you're lookin' at Loretta, you're lookin' at country." That moment was more than just a performance; it was a heartfelt nod to the woman who had inspired so many, including Reba herself.
A Friendship Rooted in Mutual Respect
It’s no surprise that a bond as strong as steel developed between Loretta, now 88, and Reba, 65. Loretta, a trailblazer in a male-dominated world, paved the way for women in country music. She gave Reba the courage to chase her dreams and become the powerhouse we all know today. “Loretta was everything I admired,” says a close friend of Reba’s. “She’s confident, incredibly talented, and a force to be reckoned with. She stood up for herself in her music, and that’s something Reba has always looked up to.” To this day, Reba says, “Being compared to Loretta is the highest compliment anyone could give me. I grew up listening to her music, and she’s been my guiding light.”
From Autograph Seeker to Mentor
Reba fondly remembers the first time she met Loretta. She was just 11 years old, attending an Oklahoma rodeo where Loretta was performing. “I was so excited to meet her,” Reba recalls. “I took off my belt and asked her to sign it. Man, I wish I still had that belt—it was one of my most prized possessions.” As Reba grew older, their relationship deepened. Loretta became not just an idol but also a mentor, much like how Patsy Cline had been for Loretta early in her career.
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Loretta encouraged Reba every step of the way, even suggesting that she record Patsy Cline’s classic hit, “Sweet Dreams.” “Loretta told me, ‘You’ve got the voice for this song,’” Reba shares. “And you know what? She was right.” That cover became Reba’s first Top 20 hit in 1979, launching her into the spotlight and cementing her place in country music history.
Two Legends Inspiring Each Other
While Loretta played a pivotal role in Reba’s success, the admiration goes both ways. Loretta admits she’s learned a thing or two from her younger counterpart. “I’ve caught myself trying to pick up tricks from Reba,” Loretta jokes. “Anyone who doesn’t try to learn something from her doesn’t know much!” The two share a playful banter that highlights their deep connection. When asked about partying together, Loretta quips, “We’re not going down that road, but hey, Reba, you’re my girl.”
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