Matt Hewson
Australia’s smash hit tribute to the most awarded woman in country music history, American singer/songwriter Loretta Lynn, comes to Geelong this February.
Coal Miner’s Daughter, featuring Amber Joy Poulton (Lynn), Lissie Moore (Patsy Cline), Denis Surmon (Conway Twitty/Willie Nelson) and the Holy Men, tells the story of Lynn’s life, from her early days in Kentucky as a teenage wife and mother through to assuming her place as the queen of country.
In addition to playing the lead role, renowned Australian country musician Poulton is also the creator of the show, which she put together in 2008.
Despite her swag of awards, number one singles and 45 million singles sold, Poulton said Lynn was “arguably the most under-rated country music star” of all time.
“Many female singers were given songs to record by the record label but Loretta managed to push the envelope and record mostly songs that she had written or co-written,” she said.
“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, (such as) After The Fire Is Gone, Lead Me On and also some beautiful collaborations with powerhouse singers like Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and more.”
Poulton said Lynn was an important figure in the story of women’s rights, which was a big reason behind her developing the show.
“Loretta paved the way, all those years ago, for women like me to have a place on the main stage,” she said.
“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 and the career, but she also made it very clear we’d have to fight for it and we’d likely be exhausted at the end.
“I love portraying her life, her cheekiness, her sass and her heartbreak through the years until her very sad induction into Country Music Heaven last year.”
Coal Miner’s Daughter is at the Geelong Arts Centre’s Playhouse on Saturday, February 3.
