On Tuesday night, October 12th, music icon Loretta Lynn was honored for her enormous contributions to the world of country at this year’s Grammy Salute to Country Music held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This was one of a number of events that have taken place this year as Loretta celebrates her 50th anniversary in the music business, and it couldn’t have been more star-studded as the likes of Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Kid Rock, Jack White and more all paid tribute to one of country’s leading ladies.

According to The Tennessean, rocker Jack White told the crowd, “Nobody tells it like it is like Loretta Lynn,” calling Loretta “the most important female singer-songwriter of the 20th century.” Reba, who hosted the event, shared, “Country music has never had a more truthful or a more fearless artist than the one we’re honoring here tonight. She stood up for all of us women, in an era when ‘Stand By Your Man’ was more than just a song… Loretta did it all. She wrote ‘em, she sang ‘em and she played ‘em.”

Reba later took to the stage to treat the crowd and the night’s honoree to a rendition of Loretta’s “If You’re Not Gone Too Long,” while Martina McBride delivered “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” and “Love Is The Foundation.” Kid Rock and Gretchen Wilson performed two songs each as they performed “I Know How” and “Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” respectively and then teamed up for one of Lynn and Conway Twitty’s classic duets “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly.” Lee Ann Womack shared her version of the classic “Honky Tonk Girl” with the audience.

The night wouldn’t have been complete unless Loretta herself performed and that she did with her date for the night superstar Garth Brooks. The pair offered up “After The Fire Is Gone” to the delight of the attendees.

Image courtesy of Frederick Breedon /WireImage

Nikita Palmer (@CitadelNow) for Citadel Digital © 2010