Country queen Loretta Lynn on all-female CMT lineup: ‘It’s about dadgum time that we recognize women’

Country music icon Loretta Lynn thinks it’s about dang time that women get their due.

Speaking to the Associated Press, the singer expressed her appreciation for the CMT opting to honor all female musicians at Wednesday’s Artists of the Year gala.

“It’s about dadgum time that we recognize women and not just country music but all music,” Lynn told the AP in a statement about the ceremony. “A big yee haw to CMT for doing so.”

The all-woman lineup is the first in the ceremony’s history and honors Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott.

“This year, we’re evolving the special to reflect what’s happening right now in culture and in the lives of our fans,” Leslie Fram, CMT’s senior vice president of music and talent, said in a statement last month.

“In this monumental year for women, dedicating one of the biggest nights in the genre to applaud female country artists not only solidifies our commitment, but we hope will spark a much-needed change in the industry,” Fram continued.

Lynn, 86, will receive Artist of a Lifetime honors at the live ceremony, airing Oct. 17 on CMT. Longtime friend Sissy Spacek, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Lynn in 1980’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” will present the award.

The show will also boast a number of performances from the honorees and feature cross-genre collaborations: Ballerini with Alison Krauss, Gladys Knight with Fairchild and Schlapman, and a tribute to Aretha Franklin from Morris and Brandi Carlile.