On their own Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn cut quite the figures in the world of country music. All have attracted a legion of worldwide fans for their talents, and all have led the way in inspiring other female artists.
But when these three powerhouses come together there isn’t anything they can’t do.
Lynn was left heartbroken when her ranch foreman died in a flash flood. Grief-stricken after losing someone she considered part of her family, her friends Parton and Lynn joined forces to help.
The catastrophic flooding in August 2021 killed 20 people in Humphreys County, Tennessee, where Lynn’s ranch is located. It was reportedly the most heavily damaged county in the state.
Lynn’s longtime ranch foreman and friend Spears was reportedly trying to check on animals and equipment when rising waters caught him. Witnesses saw Spears, in his cowboy hat, clinging to a structure as the water climbed around him, as per USA Today.
Eventually, the current became too strong for him to hold on and he was carried away.
“There are no words at the ranch today … only tears. Our ranch family is our family. We lost my amazing ranch foreman, Wayne in this devastating flood,” Lynn wrote at the time on Facebook.
“He took such good care of things here on the ranch for us. He’s one of us and the whole Lynn family is heartbroken. Please pray for his precious family and friends.”
In response to the devastation which destroyed homes, took out roads, cellphone towers and telephone lines, Lynn arranged a benefit concert called Loretta Lynn’s Friends: Hometown Rising.
Reba McEntire joined the benefit concert to raise money for the victims and those that had to rebuild their homes and businesses.
McEntire thanked the crowd for being there and told them, “I hope we don’t ever have to go through this again.”
Other big names, like Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Garth Brooks, and Trisha Yearwood, also appeared. The concert, which took place at the Grand Ole Opry House, raised $933,000, as per News 4 Nashville.
Lynn’s longtime friend Parton also joined the cause and raised $700,000 in support of the United Way of Humphreys County which helped residents following the flooding.
Parton’s businesses that fundraised included Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, as well as The Dollywood Foundation.
“Loretta and her people helped us out so much following the wildfires in 2016 that I just knew we had to do something to help them. They have our prayers and our thoughts as they go through this time,” Parton said at the time, as per News Channel 5.
Lynn and Parton both broke into the country scene around the same time in the ’60s and have remained friends since. In a shoutout on social media wishing Parton a Happy Birthday on Jan. 19 Lynn wrote:
“She’s my mountain-sister and understands what it is to come to Nashville from the mountains and sing from the heart! Happy birthday, @DollyParton. I hope this is your best year yet!”
These three women make it their life’s mission to entertain and do good, they are an inspiration. Please share with all the country music fans you know.
