Recent Health Issues Mean Continued Delays for Loretta Lynn’s New Album “Wouldn’t It Be Great”

Photo: Brad Coolidge

Of course the health and well being of Loretta Lynn is the most pressing concern for fans. But the continued health issues for the 85-year-old have also resulted in continued delays in the release of her latest record, Wouldn’t It Be Great. Fans may have to wait a little longer than anticipated for the release as Loretta continues to recover from health concerns.

Wouldn’t It Be Great was originally scheduled to be released on August 18th, 2017 via Sony’s Legacy Recordings. But after Loretta Lynn suffered what was characterized as a mild stroke on May 5th, 2017, Lynn chose to delay the release, as well as appearances at the Ryman Auditorium shortly thereafter to help promote the record. “I now want to wait to release it next year [2018] because this record is so special for me,” Lynn said at the time. “It deserves me at my best and I can’t wait to share it.”

Loretta has been slowly recovering from the health episode ever since, making her first appearance in public on October 1st, 2017 at the Tennessee Motorcycle and Music Revival that took place on Loretta’s Hurricane Mills ranch in Tennessee. She also made a public appearance at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Alan Jackson on October 22nd.

But then on January 8th, fans of country music legend were notified that Loretta Lynn had suffered another health setback after falling and fracturing her hip. The information was first revealed by her sister Crystal Gayle in an Instagram post, and later confirmed by the Loretta Lynn camp. “I was with Loretta yesterday. She is in good spirits and is doing as well as can be expected with this type of injury,” Crystal Gayle told followers.

Then on January 31st, Loretta Lynn canceled her only tour date in 2018 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Loretta Lynn date, scheduled May 17, 2018, in Tulsa has been canceled,” Lynn’s manager said. This continues to leave the release of her pending album Wouldn’t It Be Great up in the air.

Wouldn’t It Be Great features 13 songs, all of which were written or co-written by Loretta herself. Just like her first Legacy Recordings release, the album is a mix of new songs, and re-recordings of some of her most legendary cuts. Wouldn’t It Be Great includes the new songs “Ruby’s Stool,” “Ain’t No Time To Go,” and “I’m Dying For Someone To Live For.” Classic remakes include “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

The album was recorded primarily at the Cash Cabin Studios in Hendersonville, TN, with producer (and Lynn’s daughter) Patsy Lynn Russell, and caretaker of the Cash Cabin Studios, John Carter Cash. Loretta is said to have recorded upwards of 90 songs at the Cash Cabin over the last few years in preparation of regular releases from Sony Legacy.

Loretta Lynn’s previous album Full Circle from 2016 received a Grammy nomination, and her 2004 record Van Lear Rose with producer Jack White was a Grammy winner. On August 25th of 2017, the Country Music Hall of Fame unveiled a special Loretta Lynn exhibit to help commemorate the museum’s 50th Anniversary.

The last news out of the Loretta Lynn camp was over a month ago. Hopefully Loretta Lynn is on the mend, and will be able to make some public appearances in 2018 to help promote Wouldn’t It Be Great. But until then, fans should be patient for the anticipated record until Loretta is healthy enough to unveil it on her terms.

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