By September, 1961 Loretta Lynn was already known. She had recorded music for Zero Records in Hollywood, California, but for an aspiring country artist back 'in those days', Hollywood wasn't Nashville.

And Nashville was everything.

And while she had a Top 15 hit 'Whispering Sea', it was September 3rd of 1961 that would become an important date in the career of an artist who would become one of the biggest and most legendary names, not only in country music, but in all of music. That was the day that Loretta signed with Decca Records.

Now, you may not be familiar with Decca Records, but it was a major label in Nashville. Loretta had begun cutting demo records for the Wilburn Brothers, a major country act at the time, and it was through that association that Loretta signed with Decca.

Loretta's first single with Decca was called 'Success', and it was...becoming a Top Ten hit. After several more big Top 10 hits, Loretta achieved her first number one national hit in 1966 with 'Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)' on Decca Records. And it was in 1970, again on Decca Records, that Loretta released what would become her signature hit, 'Coal Miner's Daughter'. Well, actually more than a signature hit, the song has become a country music standard and, of course, a major Hollywood movie classic as well.

The history of country music would never be able to be told without an entire chapter devoted to the great Loretta Lynn. And one of the first major steps in that legendary career happened on September 3rd, 1961.

Loretta signed with Decca and, as they say, the rest is history.

Oh, and by the way, Loretta's newest album Full Circle which was released earlier in 2016 is one great album! Yep, Loretta still has 'it'!

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