Country Mike Blog

Traditional Tuesdays: Loretta Lynn Tribute Album

Mike Sudhalter  |  September 6, 2011

There are few larger honors for an artist of any genre - than to have those influence by you, cover your songs on an album.

Loretta Lynn was a pioneer in country music. Her songs have become gold country standards, so it's no surprise that an eclectic group of artists - everyone from Lee Ann Womack to Kid Rock - covered her songs on "Coal Miner's Daughter:A Tribute to Loretta Lynn."

Lynn fans will appreciate the album, as will alternative rock fans. The White Stripes covered Lynn's "Rated X."

And Carrie Underwood - the most successful American Idol alum - hardly sings a traditional country song, so you almost don't even know it's her when she's in full twang-mode on "You're Lookin' At Country."

Most traditional country fans know that the late, great Conway Twitty was Lynn's duet member. Alan Jackson plays the role of Twitty, and Martina McBride sings Lynn's parts on the duet, "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man."

There's nobody better than Faith Hill to cover "Love is The Foundation", and alt-country hero Steve Earle and his wife, Allison Moorer, recorded a pretty good version of "After The Fire Is Gone."

There's Kid Rock's rocking version of "I Know How," but the highlight of the album is definitely the title track, in which Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert join the legendary, Lynn.