Coal Miner's Daughter 1980

In the picturesque hills of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, during 1945, we meet Loretta Webb, a resilient young girl of 13, from a family of eight siblings born to Ted Webb, a diligent miner working in the Van Lear coal mines, and his devoted wife. Life is not easy for this family, but the close-knit community they belong to helps them persevere through their struggles. Fast-forward to 1948, Loretta marries Oliver “Mooney” Lynn, then just 22, and by the time she reaches 19, they have already welcomed four small children into their lives. The family makes a move to northern Washington State, where Mooney finds employment in the forest industry, while Loretta begins singing at local honky-tonks during weekends.

As her passion for music blossoms, Loretta’s occasional visits to radio stations become more frequent. By the age of 25, she catches the attention of Norm Burley, the owner of Zero Records—a modest Canadian label—during one of her radio appearances. He invites Loretta and Mooney to Los Angeles to record a demo tape, resulting in the creation of her first single, “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl.” On returning from these recording sessions, Mooney suggests they undertake a promotional tour to launch the record. Armed with Mooney’s publicity photos and late-night efforts to reach out to show promoters and radio disc jockeys, Loretta and her family set off on an ambitious road trip, records and young children in tow.

Tragedy strikes when Loretta receives a heart-wrenching call from her mother about her father’s unexpected passing. Despite this sorrowful moment, she and Mooney continue their journey, channeling their grief into their music while promoting Loretta’s new single across the Southern states. As Loretta’s country melodies find a growing audience, she soon finds herself engulfed in the whirlwind of fame and success. Unfortunately, their lives are set for a dramatic change as “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” climbs the charts, fueled by the unrivaled demand from radio listeners and jukebox fans. This rising popularity leads to an invitation to perform at the esteemed Grand Ole Opry, where Loretta rightfully claims her place among country music’s finest.

By the sizzling summer of 1961, Loretta basks in her triumph, following an impressive streak of seventeen sold-out shows at the Opry. Her star shines even brighter as she is granted the chance to perform on Ernest Tubb’s legendary Midnite Jamboree. There, she pays homage to her idol Patsy Cline by dedicating her latest hit, “I Fall to Pieces,” as a heartfelt get-well card to Cline, who is recovering from a serious car accident. This unexpected moment leads to a beautiful friendship, though, tragically, it is cut short when Patsy passes away in a plane crash on March 5, 1963.

As time flows on, Loretta’s swift ascent to fame brings its own challenges. The heavy weight of constant touring, public expectations, and the need to balance her career and personal life eventually leads to a breakdown during a performance. After a soul-searching period spent recuperating at her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, Loretta emerges revitalized and ready to reclaim her title as the “First Lady of Country Music.”

The film culminates beautifully as Loretta shares the incredible journey of her life through the moving lyrics of her 1970 hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” captivating a filled audience eager to hear the story of this remarkable country music legend.