(Nashville, Tenn. – Sept. 28, 2010) Country music icon Loretta Lynn was showered with an assortment of industry awards and heartfelt praise at her invitation-only 50th anniversary celebration, held at Lynn’s Hurricane Mills ranch on Friday, Sept. 24.
The Academy of Country Music®, Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® and BMI® each made presentations during the evening’s event. Billed as “A Tribute to an American Icon,” the celebration honored Lynn’s 50 years in the Country music industry. Ronnie McDowell presented Lynn with a hand-painted portrait of the legendary performer, and noted Nashville arranger and composer Bill Walker gave Lynn an arrangement of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” originally penned for the television special, “Loretta Lynn on Broadway.”
Selected media and industry, as well as Lynn’s close friends and family, attended the packed ceremony. The evening’s activities included a catered reception, media Q&A session and the multiple award presentations, hosted by John Carter Cash. A performance by Lynn’s sister, Crystal Gayle, followed the event at 9 p.m.
Pictured l to r: Academy of Country Music President Sarah Trahern, Loretta Lynn, ACM former Chairman John Grady, ACM current Chairman Bill Mayne. During Lynn’s “A Tribute to an American Icon” 50th anniversary celebration, the Academy’s Trahern and Grady presented Lynn with a lifetime achievement award, while Mayne presented a similar award on behalf of Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., where he also serves as Executive Director. Photo: © Eric Adkins Photo.
BMI Director David Preston presented Loretta Lynn with an award commemorating her 50 years in the Country music industry during Lynn’s “A Tribute to an American Icon” 50th anniversary celebration. Photo: © Eric Adkins Photo.
Loretta Lynn answers questions from the press during her “A Tribute to an American Icon” 50th anniversary celebration. Photo: © Eric Adkins Photo.
John Carter Cash (l) looks on as Ronnie McDowell (c) presents Loretta Lynn with “Reflections of a Coal Miner’s Daughter,” his hand-painted portrait of her during Lynn’s “A Tribute to an American Icon” 50th anniversary celebration. Also pictured is Jim Sanders, owner of Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen restaurant. Photo: © Eric Adkins Photo.
