Another white ribbon

I still remember the day, freshman year for me, sitting at my desk in my dorm room. I was probably procrastinating working on a paper, scrolling on the internet and I saw the headlines start appearing.

Montgomery Gentry member Troy Gentry died after a helicopter crash.

The gentle giant Don Williams passed at age 78.

Country music lost two in a day.

There is a wall at the Grand Ole Opry that lists the names of all Opry members, and the plaques gain a white bow when a member passes.

This week, another ribbon joined the wall after the passing of Loretta Lynn. The legend left 90 years of legacy behind, and a few on the internet even commented that they understood how the British felt following the death of Queen Elizabeth.

Since the news broke Wednesday morning, I’ve seen nothing but the outpouring of love and memories shared by artists and fans alike.

The memories of the coal miner’s daughter live on through her music and all those she inspired over the years. Even more impressive, she released an album just last year.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed a tear or two when I heard the news, just as I did in 2017. I may not have known any of these artists personally, but I felt their loss for what it meant to the Country music family.

Those in the Opry family that have passed on gained another member to join them in a song.

As the song goes, “Will the circle be unbroken?”