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

Emmy Russell Was So Mad When American Idol Made Her Sing Grandma Loretta Lynn’s Song

Emmy Russell was upset when American Idol judges made her sing Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miner’s Daughter, fearing it would define her career.
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 is no stranger to country music royalty—after all, she’s the granddaughter of the legendary Loretta Lynn. But despite carrying such a famous last name, she’s been determined to carve out a career based on her own talent, not just family legacy.

That’s why she wasn’t thrilled when the judges on American Idol pushed her to sing “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” her grandmother’s most iconic song. In fact, she was furious.

Emmy Russell Wanted to Step Out of Loretta Lynn’s Shadow

During an interview on The Thrivalist Podcast with Jamie George, Russell revealed that she immediately felt trapped when the American Idol judges—Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—chose three songs for her.

“So on American Idol, I did my grandma’s song,” she explained. “Well, they actually let the judges pick three songs. And the only one I knew was ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter.’ I was already facing so much, trying to act in courage, and I just remember seeing that and I was so mad. I was like, ‘Ugh.'”

The other song choices given to her were Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again” and KT Tunstall’s “Suddenly I See.” Of course, the judges likely knew what they were doing—picking a song that would stir emotions, create a moment, and remind viewers of Emmy’s famous bloodline.

For Russell, though, it wasn’t just about performing a sentimental song but proving that she wasn’t just “Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter.” She had already dealt with whispers of nepotism throughout the competition, and this moment only made it more challenging.

Singing “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Felt Like an Emotional Risk

Russell admitted that seeing the song choice didn’t just make her mad but also sad.

Her grandmother had only passed away in October 2022, and the pain of losing her was still fresh. In a vulnerable moment on Idol, Russell explained:

“There was immense sadness whenever I saw it because she just passed away very recently. I mean, it’s my grandma’s song. Can’t get much closer to the heart than your own blood.”

At first, she didn’t want to do it. She was worried it would reinforce the idea that she was only there because of her last name rather than her voice and artistry.

But something inside her told her to stay and sing it anyway.

“It was weird because I still felt that still, small voice say, ‘I need you to stay, and I need you to show up,'” she shared.

So, despite her frustrations, she sat at the piano, poured her heart into the performance, and delivered a version of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” that was raw, intimate, and deeply personal.

A Performance That Changed Her Perspective

Despite her initial anger, Russell later saw the performance as a turning point in her journey—not just as a contestant but an artist learning to embrace her roots.

“I know ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ like the back of my hand,” she said. “So I think I want to do it more like an ode, almost like a way of hugging her. I’m literally just a granddaughter singing this song to her grandma.”

And while it may not have been the song she wanted to sing, it was one of the most powerful moments of the season.

Russell ultimately made it to the Top 5 of American Idol before being eliminated. But beyond the competition, her journey on the show helped her come to terms with her legacy.

“This was the first time that I said, ‘I’m proud. I’m proud to be in this family,'” she reflected. “With the family comes a blessing, but with it comes a curse.”

Emmy Russell may have been mad at the judges that day, but in the end, she turned what felt like a burden into a defining moment—one that honored her grandmother while proving that she had what it took to make it on her own.

Latest Stories

Waylon Jennings once called Garth Brooks the most insincere person he ever saw

Waylon Jennings Once Said Garth Brooks Was the Most Insincere Person He Ever Saw

Sometimes you need an old outlaw to call out what everyone else is too polite to say out loud. Back when Nashville was shape-shifting in the ’80s and ’90s, country ...

Josh Weathers raises over $337000 in a livestream concert fundraiser to help Texas families devastated by catastrophic floods.

Josh Weathers Raises Over $337000 in Livestream to Help Texas Families Hit by Floods

A guitar in hand and a heart the size of Texas. That’s Josh Weathers right now. While storms swallowed up gigs and highways across Central Texas, this Fort Worth native ...

Lauren Alaina fires back at trolls who mom-shame her for bottle-feeding her newborn, pictured holding baby Beni Doll Arnold.

Lauren Alaina Fires Back at Trolls Who Mom-Shame Her for Bottle-Feeding

A bottle in one hand and zero time for strangers’ opinions in the other. That’s how Lauren Alaina’s rolling and some loudmouths just found out the hard way. If you’ve ...

Kelly Clarkson seen emotional in a past photo, echoing fans’ heartbreak after she canceled her Vegas opening night due to illness.

Fans Are Heartbroken After Kelly Clarkson Cancels Vegas Opening Night Due to Illness

Nothing guts a diehard fan like standing in line for hours only to get hit with the words “Show’s off.” Kelly Clarkson found herself in that brutal spot last weekend ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together on stage, teaming up for a new duet that might break country radio charts.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton Team Up for a Duet That Might Break Country Radio

Sometimes, country music gives you a pairing that is so perfect that you wonder what the hell took so long. Well, here we are. Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton are ...

Dolly Parton smiles in a sparkling gown, proving she’ll always look glamorous on the outside to match how she feels inside.

Dolly Parton Shares Glamorous Photo Says She’ll Always Look How She Feels Inside

Some folks roll out of bed looking like they just survived a bar fight but not Dolly damn Parton. On July 1, the queen of country herself dropped a glamorous ...

Lee Greenwood performs live in a patriotic shirt, years after nearly shelving “God Bless The USA,” now America’s beloved anthem.

Lee Greenwood Almost Didn’t Release “God Bless The USA” as a Single, Now It’s America’s Anthem

Sometimes, the songs that shape a nation nearly get buried on the B side. Back in 1984, Lee Greenwood was on a solid run of hits and living out every ...

Keith Urban smiles on stage in Akron, Ohio, where he made a heartfelt gesture for a blind fan that moved the audience to tears.

Keith Urban’s Sweet Gesture for Blind Fan Leaves Sister Thanking Him for Truly Seeing Her

Some moments at a concert feel bigger than the music. This was one of them. Keith Urban‘s always been one of the good guys in country, but fans at his ...

Gracie McGraw, seen here at a past event, recently left fans laughing on Instagram comparing herself to Jurassic dinosaurs.

Tim McGraw’s Daughter Gracie Leaves Fans in Stitches Comparing Herself to Dinosaurs

Sometimes, you just need a reminder that not every celebrity kid takes themselves too seriously. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s oldest daughter, Gracie McGraw, just gave the internet a masterclass ...

Willie Nelson smiles while performing onstage with his iconic guitar, as rumors swirl about Baylor University banning him.

Did a Texas University Ban Willie Nelson or Was He Just Too Much of an Outlaw to Show Up

Only Willie Nelson could have a “campus ban” rumor stick for 40 years and make him look even more like the cowboy rebel everyone loves. If you’ve ever cracked open ...