There ain’t nothing like a heart-wrenching lyric from a good old-fashioned country song that tells a story, laying the heart bare with rhythms and rhymes that captivate the imagination and get you whooping around a dance floor or leaning up against a bar, having a good ol’ cry. But this time, Coal Miner’s Daughter is bringing country music to the theatre, just like the Grand Ole’ Opry.
Loretta Lynn was one of the sparkliest of country music stars. Born in 1932 in Butcher Hollow (aka “Butcher Holler”) Tennessee, Loretta was the daughter of a coal miner, who kept our hearts swoonin’ and toes-a-tappin’ long after her passing in 2022. Her hit song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” which told of a life poor in material wealth, but rich in love, still resonates with our hearts today.
From a cabin on a hill to international stardom, Loretta Lynn’s story and songs are now making their way to Adelaide, for a one-night-only performance on Friday 23rd August, 2024 at the Regal Theatre in Kensington Park.
Amber Joy Poulton (as Loretta Lynn), Lizzie Moore (as Patsy Cline) & The Preacher Denis Surmon (as Conway Twitty & Willie Nelson) along with kickin’ band The Holy Men share the fascinating life of Loretta. The show works its way through the lyrics of the chart-topping songs that spanned her career and life as a women’s rights champion, mother of six and fashion icon; famous for her floor-length gowns adorned with tassels and rhinestones.
This tribute to the legendary Loretta Lynn was a smash hit at this year’s Tamworth Music Festival, an encore performance after its success in 2023. It’s been boot-scootin’ its way around the country, playing to packed theatres from the big smoke in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne through to regional theatres in Victoria and New South Wales, receiving standing ovations and rave reviews along the way.
Amber Joy Poulton, star of Coal Miner’s Daughter, shared her passion for portraying Loretta, saying “Loretta paved the way, all those years ago, for women like me to have a place on the main stage. She showed us, in the most difficult of times that women can have it all, we can have the home life, the kids, the husband, the friendships & the career but she also made it very clear we’d have to fight for it & we’d likely be exhausted at the end. I love portraying her life, her cheekiness, her sass & her heartbreak through the years until her very sad induction into Country Music Heaven in 2022.
Coal Miner’s Daughter tells Loretta Lynn’s story, from her humble beginnings in Kentucky, her rocky marriage, her triumphs and her tragedies, all the way through to her rise as a country music icon, as explained by Amber. “Loretta Lynn is arguably the most underrated country music star considering that at the start of her career, many female singers were given songs to record by the record label, but Loretta managed to push the envelope & record mostly songs that she had written or co-written. Which in turn was the birth of controversial songs like, ‘You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man’, ‘Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ With Lovin’ On Your Mind’, ‘One’s On The Way’, ‘The Pill’.”
“When she wasn’t being controversial singing songs about her own life, she was part of some beautiful duets with Conway Twitty, ‘After The Fire Is Gone’, ‘Lead Me On’ & also some beautiful collaborations with powerhouse singers like, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson & more.”
Her collaborations came from her enduring relationships with luminaries, specifically Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, and Willie Nelson. However, it was her relationship with Patsy that struck a chord with Amber.
“…it’s her friendship with Patsy Cline that has my heart. A large portion of the show is where Brisbane’s own Lizzie Moore takes the stage as Patsy Cline & the whole crowd lights up. Patsy was a protective influence for Loretta & without Patsy, it’s quite possible there would be no Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
This is an unmissable experience for all country music enthusiasts and a poignant opportunity to celebrate the great Loretta Lynn.
In Amber’s words, “If you like country music, you’ll love this theatre experience. If you don’t like country music, you will after.”
All you need to know about “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
What: Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn Tribute Show
When: Friday 23rd August 2024
Where: Regal Theatre – 275 Kensington Rd, Kensington Park SA 5068
Tickets: Coal Miner’s Daughter Tickets via SA TIX
For more information visit the Coal Miner’s Daughter website
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