Interview with Loretta Lynn, August 8, 1987

Partial Transcript: This is a Bonnet production. One of a series of films celebrating contributions of Kentuckians to the nation.

Segment Synopsis: Loretta Lynn introduces herself, and talks about her home town of Butcher Holler.

Keywords: Butcher Hollow (Ky.); Hollers

Subjects: Coal miners; Education; Johnson County (Ky.); Lynn, Loretta.; Owensboro (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: When did you know you could sing?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn talks about how she started singing at a young age at home, but didn't have any formal training. She discusses how her husband pushed her to sing to earn money, and the stress that caused her.

Keywords: Hollers; Singing

Subjects: Country music; Lynn, Loretta; Singers

Partial Transcript: You have said that Patsy Cline had an impact on you, what was Patsy Cline like?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn talks about her relationship with Patsy Cline, who was an early mentor and friend to her during her career. She goes on to discuss working with the Wilburn Brothers on their television show, and how she prefers to tour instead of work in television.

Keywords: Mentors; The Wilburn Brothers Show; Touring

Subjects: Biographical films; Cline, Patsy, 1932-1963; Loretta, Lynn; Wilburns (Musical group)

Partial Transcript: Of all of your hits, which was your favorite?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn mentions that Coal Miner's Daughter is her favorite of her own songs. She discusses what it was like to see herself portrayed in the film of the same name. Lynn talks about doing press to promote the movie, including Good Morning America with David Hartman and the Today Show.

Keywords: Coal miner's daughter (song); GMA; The Today Show

Subjects: Coal miner's daughter (Motion picture); Good morning America (Television program); Hartman, David; Loretta, Lynn

Partial Transcript: You have changed much since the Butcher Hollow days, how has Butcher Hollow changed?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn talks about the changes she's seen in Butcher Hollow over the years. She mentions that it has been depopulated over time, but she's not sure of the reason.

Keywords: Butcher Hollow; Coal companies; Whipporwills

Subjects: Kentucky; Lynn, Loretta

Partial Transcript: How hard was it to have a career with such young children?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn discusses the difficulties of working as a singer with young children. She talks about how, because she started so young, she was more willing to sing in clubs and locations that other female singers were hesitant to perform in.

Keywords: Childcare

Subjects: Clubs; Education; Lynn, Loretta; Mothers; Nashville (Tenn.)

Partial Transcript: You have said you had no marital skills when you started housekeeping. How'd you become such a good cook?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn talks about how she learned to cook, and attributes a lot of her growth to cooking for ranch hands in Custer, Washington. Lynn goes on to discuss her sister Crystal Gayle, how she took Gayle on the road with her and then Gayle and her other sister Peggy Sue joined her on her music label at the start of their singing careers. Lynn also mentions that her brother Jay Lee would tour with her to help on the road, and played the fiddle to accompany her on songs.

Keywords: Canning; Wright, Peggy Sue

Subjects: Cooking; Custer (Wash.); Gayle, Crystal; Lynn, Loretta; Webb, Jay Lee

Partial Transcript: What is the difference in the old and new Grand Ole Opry?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn talks about the difference in playing at the old and new Grand Ole Opry buildings in Nashville, Tennessee. She says that the new building feels like any other stage, but the old Opry had a special feeling to it that the new building can't replicate. Lynn also talks about the changes in country music over time, how the music had shifted away from older country sounds and is now shifting back.

Keywords: Grand Ole Opry

Subjects: Country Music.; Lynn, Loretta; Nashville (Tenn.)

Partial Transcript: How would you like to be remembered?

Segment Synopsis: Lynn briefly talks about how she'd like to be remembered as a person.

Keywords: Legacies

Subjects: Lynn, Loretta