ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Its been 12 years since 2004s Grammy-winningVan Lear Rose.
What brought you back to the studio?
Loretta Lynn: To tell you the truth, I was just busy.
Credit: David McClister
I work all the time and hadnt stopped to think about recording.
Then I thought, Well, its time.
Whered the idea come from?
I would like people to know the stuff that I started singing to begin with.
I loved hearing her.
I hope the fans get out of it what I did.
What was it like to work with Johnny Cashs son, John Carter Cash, as a co-producer?
There was nothing strenuous about it.
Wed have a little break every bit and have a picnic.
Id have my cup of coffee, wed be with our familiesand then go back right into it.
Theres a beautiful duet with Willie Nelson, Lay Me Down.
Willie sent a record to me to do the harmony and stuffbut I cant harmonize with Willie Nelson!
He talks his songs.
Ill do my part and then give it to you!
I love the way it turned out.
As the First Lady of Country Music, what up-and-coming country stars are you into?
I love little Kacey [Musgraves].
And shes trying hard, I think.
You continue to perform dozens of shows a year.
At 83, do you still enjoy it?
I wouldnt do it if I didnt enjoy it.
I always ask for requests and they always holler out stuff that came out way before I was born.
[Laughs] Ill say, Friend, you got the wrong girl up here singing.
I dont remember that song!
The track Whos Gonna Miss Me?
is about the legacy youll leave behind.
What did your family think of the song?
Finally I had to tell her, Quit asking me that question!
[Laughs] She still asks me.
What inspires you to write songs now?
Well, Id rather write than sing, to tell you the truth.
Everything I do, I write about it.
Ive never known why.
I wrote my song Whispering Sea sitting on a tree branch, hanging over the ocean, fishing.
[Sings] Whispering sea, why dont you roll on by, listening to me cry.
Its just as simple as anything.
Whateverd happen one day, if Id be upset or happy, Id just write.
This article originally appearedEntertainment WeeklyIssue #1405, on stands March 4, 2016.
