Loretta Lynn Covers Patsy Cline Ahead Of New Book

Photo: Brad Coolidge

A brand new book from Loretta Lynn is on the way called Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust, and ahead of the new memoir Loretta has released a new rendition of her covering Patsy Cline’s iconic “I Fall to Pieces” (listen below). Though you have a few options for books covering the life of Loretta Lynn, this one focuses specifically on the friendship between Loretta and Patsy. It was co-written with Loretta’s daughter (and Patsy Cline namesake), Patsy Lynn Russell.

When Loretta Lynn moved to Nashville with a $17 guitar looking to become a star, Patsy Cline was already an established performer. But instead of Patsy seeing Loretta as a potential competitor or replacement, Patsy took the Coal Miner’s Daughter under her wing, and they soon became close friends, touring partners, and confidants, helping each other through the struggles of fame and familial problems.

“I Fall to Pieces” has specific importance to the friendship of the two. In 1961, Cline was almost killed in a car wreck. While in the hospital, Lynn appeared on the Midnight Jamboree radio show after The Grand Ole Opry, and dedicated a performance of the song to Patsy in the hospital. Upon hearing it, Cline told her husband to arrange for the singers to meet, and this is when the two became friends.

Patsy Cline died in 1963 at the age of 30 in the same plane crash that also took the lives of Hankshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas, while Loretta would go on to launch a Hall of Fame career, and is still recording and releasing music today at the age of 87.

Loretta Lynn’s version of “I Fall to Pieces” was recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee with the help of Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash, similar to her last two records, Full Circle (2016) and Wouldn’t It Be Great (2018). Along with new songs, Loretta has been re-recording some of her most iconic songs, as well as covers from past greats.

Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust will be released on April 7th from Grand Central Publishing, with Dolly Parton penning the Forward. It is now available for pre-order.

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