Loretta Lynn, Still Recovering From Stroke, Sends Greeting to July 4th Concertgoers
Although she is still recovering from her May stroke, Loretta Lynn found a way to be present at a Fourth of July Weekend concert given by her daughter Patsy. During the July 1 show, an audio recording of Lynn wishing fans a happy holiday and thanking them for their prayers was played.
A concertgoer in attendance at Patsy Lynn's Fourth of July Weekend concert at the Loretta Lynn Ranch recorded Lynn's message, and a Loretta Lynn fan account uploaded the audio to YouTube.
"This is Loretta Lynn, and, uh, Happy Fourth of July! And, come back again next year, and you all have a good time this year," Lynn says in her greeting. "And, um, thank you all for all the prayers, and I love you."
On July 4, the Loretta Lynn Ranch Facebook page shared the YouTube video and confirmed its authenticity. In addition, the post included an update on Lynn's condition: "Ms. Loretta is making improvements and getting stronger every day, and she knows her fans are praying for her. She can't wait to come back and sing for you all. Thank you so much for your support ..."
Lynn’s stroke occurred on May 4 at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.; following the stroke, the legendary singer-songwriter was admitted to a Nashville hospital, and doctors advised her to stay off the road for a few weeks. Lynn is expected to make a full recovery, and in mid-May, she was moved from the hospital to a rehab facility.
Loretta Lynn Through the Years
Updates on Lynn’s recovery process have been few and far between; however, on May 10, Lynn’s sister, singer Crystal Gayle, wrote, “Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes for Loretta. Keep them coming! We are lucky, in this day and age, to have wonderful doctors and nurses taking great care of her.” In late June, Closer Weekly published an update, courtesy of Lynn's brother, Herman Webb.
“She can talk, and Loretta told me that she thought she’s going to be okay,” Webb said at the time. “Her left side was kind of paralyzed, but [she can get around by] herself now, she just has to use a walker.”
Immediately following her stroke, Lynn canceled her upcoming tour dates through early July. In mid-June, three additional shows, scheduled for July 7, 8 and 21, were canceled. The next concerts listed on Lynn’s official website are scheduled for Aug. 24 and 25, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Lynn celebrated her 85th birthday on April 14. On Aug. 18, she will release a brand-new album, Wouldn’t It Be Great; the following week, on Aug. 25, an exhibit about Lynn will open at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Country Stars Send Prayers to Loretta Lynn Following Her Stroke