From one country icon to another.
George Strait honored the late, great Loretta Lynn with an incredible performance of her very first #1 hit, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”
During the CMT special Coal Miner’s Daughter: The Life And Music Of Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry last night, King George took the stage and, of course, gave one of the best performances of the night.
Aside from Lukas Nelson and Emmy Russell’s performance of Loretta’s duet with Willie Nelson “Lay Me Down,” this is easily my favorite tribute to the coal miner’s daughter.
Loretta wrote “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’” with her sister Peggy Sue Wells, and it was released in late 1966, peaking at the top spot the following year in 1967.
It ultimately became the title track to her album of the same name, which was eventually certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970, and Loretta was the first woman in country music to receive such an honor.
Mrs. Loretta sadly passed away a few weeks ago at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, at the age of 90, and the special last night also included performances by Brandi Carlile, Crystal Gayle, Darius Rucker, The Highwomen with Brittney Spencer, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Margo Price, Tanya Tucker, Alan Jackson and Wynonna Judd.
I have to say, this wasn’t necessarily the song I expected King George to sing, but I could not love it any more. It’s one of my top three favorite Loretta Lynn songs, so to hear him sing it as a tribute to her is just amazing.
If there’s any other country legend who can crush a honky tonk heater like this, it’s obviously King George, and I know he surely made Loretta proud with his perfect rendition:
“Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)”
