Loretta Lynn’s 2 Granddaughters: One Wowed on ‘American Idol’ & the Other Faced Challenge the Singer ‘Couldn’t Bear’

Loretta Lynn, an accomplished country music vocalist and prolific songwriter, enjoyed a remarkable career, leaving a permanent mark on the genre. She earned multiple awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career.

Emmy told the judges that she had sung her entire life and that she loved songwriting. “I love music,” the 24-year-old shared. The singer confessed that she doesn’t sing as much anymore but growing up, she used to sing on the road with her grandmother. “My grandmother was a country singer,” said Emmy.

As much as she recognizes her musical roots, Emmy wants to find and own her voice. She challenged herself to audition for American Idol so that she could chart her own path. Judge Katy encouraged her to find her own style and lane. Emmy then sang her original song “Skinny” about an eating disorder.

After her performance, a nervous Emmy was glad to get positive feedback from the judges. Katy told her, “You are an A+ songwriter. So was your grandma. You got the gift.” Katy also advised her not to compare herself with her grandmother, as that would just put her under unnecessary pressure.

Judge Lionel also praised Emmy, “You have promise. And I like your promise.” On the other hand, Luke told Emmy not to compare herself with her grandmother, but to start wearing her own shoes. Emmy shed tears as she got three years and was approved to go to Hollywood.

As she stepped off stage, Emmy noted, “I was thinking about my grandma, but I was also like, ‘Emmy, she’s with you. Now it’s your turn,'” She added, “I think I’m more like her now than I was whenever I was trying to be like her.”

People praised Emmy’s performance, saying “She has a grandma’s humble, honest spirit. Just be yourself, Emmy! You are enough! Beautiful voice and song too.” Another individual agreed, “She has her smile, and her heart is as big as the sky. Go fly little bird and make your own way!! What a beautiful voice.”

A fan noted that Emmy and her mom looked like Loretta, adding “She seems so sweet. I wish her all the very best luck & will be watching her on idol.” An individual who grew up listening to Loretta also chimed in, “Her song made me cry.” The person wished Russel, “Best of everything.”

An emotional person wrote, “You made me cry” and urged Emmy to keep singing as her grandmother would want her to touch her generation with her “beautiful song.”

Before her American Idol audition, Emmy had paid tribute to her grandmother at her memorial. She teamed up with Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas, to deliver a heartfelt rendition of “Lay Me Down” during Loretta’s memorial service at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Their touching tribute garnered widespread acclaim and earned them a nomination for Performance of the Year at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. Additionally, Emmy marked her Grand Ole Opry debut on April 13, 2023.

Loretta also has another granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, who is a singer. Tayla did a cover of Loretta’s song, “You Ain’t Woman Enough.” For a long time, Tayla struggled with alcohol and substance addiction and her grandmother did her best to get the help that she needed.

Tayla recalled how deep she had sunk into addiction. “You’re sitting there, not being faithful in your marriage and breastfeeding your baby while you’re doing drugs, and all of a sudden you wake up and say to yourself, ‘What in the hell am I doing?!'” she remembered.

The singer narrated, “It was a, ‘You might do that to your mama, but you are not going to do that here’ sort of thing. She required respect and I learned that pretty quick.”

Loretta was the first person to ever intervene as she “couldn’t bear” to watch Tayla’s downward spiral. She guided the singer towards rehabilitation. Tayla’s journey to recovery began at Sierra Tucson when she was 19, where she was introduced to the principles of recovery. However, it wasn’t until 2004, at Cumberland Heights in Nashville, that she fully incorporated these ideas into her life.

The promises of recovery began to materialize for Tayla once she became sober and connected with fellow alcoholics. She then bagged recording and publishing deals, homes, and cars, but most importantly, she discovered her true self. Tayla shed layers of shame and emerged as a woman of integrity.

Tayla began accompanying the country star on tour when she was a teenager in 1997. She recalled that six months after losing her husband, Loretta hit the road on tour. On tour, Tayla watched on the sidelines as her grandmother cried with the audience as she sang “Here I Am Again.”

Tayla, who released her album “Tayla Lynn Sings Loretta Lynn,” recorded “Here I Am Again” for her album. Tears streaked down her face as she recorded the song because she recalled how Loretta and the audience cried as she sang it.

Tayla, who sings alongside her grandmother on the country music classic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels,” said she knew “Tayla Lynn Sings Loretta Lynn,” was a record she was supposed to make. “It was literally the easiest, most joyful experience I’ve ever had,” she added.

Loretta also boosted Tayla’s strong belief when she approved the album. The singer couldn’t help but believe that she was supposed and allowed to make the record. “Memaw wanted me to make this record,” said Tayla, who was also motivated creatively by the loss of her mom, Cindy Plemons, who died suddenly in 2018.

Tayla, who is married to John Cody Finger is a mother of two boys, Tru and Scout. In the past, the singer didn’t look forward to waking up and seeing tomorrow. She acknowledged that she was hiding from God, so the last thing she wanted to see was sunrise.

Amidst the bustling activities like vet visits and the playful chaos of young boys, Tayla carves out moments to share her story. It’s a fulfilling life, albeit noisy at times. The singer emphasizes the importance of daily grounding in God, family, and her journey of recovery.

Every morning, she rises an hour earlier than her household, kneeling in prayer to surrender her day to God. She follows with an uplifting devotional, often spiritual or recovery-focused, and engages in meditation.

A pot of coffee fuels Tayla as she reaches out to fellow alcoholics, seeking ways to serve. Tayla emphasizes the importance of open communication to avoid sinking into the depths of shame and secrecy.

Loretta’s two granddaughters, Tayla and Emmy, are thriving in their respective paths. Both are dedicated to honoring their grandmother through their sobriety and musical endeavors. Each embarks on a distinct journey that pays tribute to Loretta Lynn’s legacy while forging their own remarkable paths.