Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Wynonna Judd Joins Emmy Russell On Idol To Sing “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Emmy Russell started her American Idol journey with an original song. She fittingly ended it with a tribute cover of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” for her late grandmother and country legend Loretta Lynn. This was the second time she covered the classic on the show, and for this performance, instead of a piano, she had a duet partner. It was none other than Wynonna Judd

Russell may not have won a spot in the grand finale, but she still made her mark. 

“Coal Miner’s Daughter” by Emmy Russell and Wynonna Judd

The two wore a matching turquoise-and-black look for their performance – Emmy Russell went for a cute cocktail dress and boots, and Judd committed to a whole cowboy style, but she took it a notch up with beads adorning the collar, cuffs, and pockets of her outfit. And on the screen at their back flashed pictures of Lynn. 

Russell opened the performance, reminding everyone again she was her grandmother’s granddaughter. 

She had been hesitant to fully embrace her family roots, and in her first performance of the song (which was the judges’ song competition, and Katy Perry chose the song for her), she said that she would always run away from them. That is, it was a blessing to be a part of them, but she felt that it came with a curse. Then, there came a turning point, and she was finally proud of being a member of the family. She sang the song, hoping that it would make others feel proud of their story and their origin, just like her.  

This time was no different. It had the same jaw-dropping quality, and it clearly showed that while she was Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, she could stand on her own and be an artist in her own right. If anything, she sounded more confident.

RELATED: Loretta Lynn’s Granddaughter Emmy Russell Sings Her Original Song “Skinny” In American Idol Audition

Judd took over the second verse of the song. Her rich and full-bodied vocals gave a nice contrast to Russell’s slightly softer style. According to the singer, it was such a full-circle moment for her, as Lynn was the first woman in country music to hug her. She continued, “To sing Loretta’s life story with her granddaughter @emmyroserussell, and send her off as an artist in her own right, was so life giving. Emmy, I know your Memaw is so proud. I am too!!!! 🩵”

As they started the chorus together, they held hands, and the audience waved their arms.  It was definitely a moment to remember on the show. Their performance was met with a loud round of applause and a standing ovation from all three judges.

Catch Wynonna Judd and Emmy Russell honoring the late Loretta Lynn in the video below. 

Latest Stories

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...