Loretta Lynn rose to musical fame through songs such as “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “Trouble in Paradise,” and “The Pill.” But have you ever wondered how her Kentucky roots influenced her lyrics? Join us today for a discussion with a former research fellow who explores how Lynn’s upbringing in Johnson County indelibly shaped her artistic output.

Dr. Brian Ward is a Professor in American Studies at Northumbria University. His previously published books include (1) Just My Soul Responding: Rhythm and Blues, Black Consciousness and Race Relations, (2) Media, Culture, and the Modern African American Freedom Struggle, (3) Radio and the Struggle for Civil Rights in the South, and (4) A&R Pioneers: The Architects of American Roots Music on Record. In this episode, he shares research from his article in the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society: “Sex, Drugs, and Country Music: Loretta Lynn, Gender Politics, and the Health Environment in Mid-Twentieth Century Rural Kentucky.”

Read more about Dr. Ward's research in Volume 122, Number 3&4, Summer/Autumn 2024 of The Register, out now, and available on Project Muse:
https://muse.jhu.edu/issue/54237

Kentucky Chronicles is inspired by the work of researchers worldwide who have contributed to the scholarly journal, The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, in publication since 1903.
https://history.ky.gov/explore/catalog-research-tools/register-of-the-kentucky-historical-society

Hosted by Dr. Daniel J. Burge, associate editor of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society and coordinator of our Research Fellows program, which brings in researchers from across the world to conduct research in the rich archival holdings of the Kentucky Historical Society.
https://history.ky.gov/khs-for-me/for-researchers/research-fellowships

Kentucky Chronicles is presented by the Kentucky Historical Society, with support from the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation.
https://history.ky.gov/about/khs-foundation

This episode was recorded and produced by Gregory Hardison. Thanks to Dr. Stephanie Lang for her support and guidance. Our theme music, “Modern Documentary” was created by Mood Mode and is used courtesy of Pixabay. Other backing tracks are used courtesy of Pixabay or are original compositions by Gregory Hardison.

To learn more about our publication of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, or to learn more about our Research Fellows program, please visit our website:
https://history.ky.gov/

https://history.ky.gov/khs-podcasts