Former American Idol Emmy Russell’s new song has a message, and it’s for her grandmother, Loretta Lynn.
26-year-old Russell collaborated on the song “Phone Call to Heaven” with her husband and fellow musician Tyler Ward.
Russell posted a clip on Instagram where she leaves a message for Lynn. In the video, she tearfully says, “Hey, MeMaw, I really wish that you could meet my daughter. I think you would love her.”
Russell goes on to tell her grandmother, “I’m so happy that you’re in a place where you don’t feel alone and you’re just no longer sick anymore. I love you so much. I miss you so much.”
Husband Tyler Ward is also featured in the clip, making an emotional call to his late father.
Russell Gives Fans a Chance to Send Their Own Message
Emmy Russell is also giving fans a chance to send their own message in a “Phone Call to Heaven.”
In the May 13 post, she writes, “Miss someone? Call 615-249-8476 and leave a short voicemail. We’re collecting voicemails for a special video for our song “Phone Call to Heaven” that comes out THIS FRIDAY! Please film yourself making the call and tag @thesonghouseco and use #phonecalltoheaven.”
The song dropped May 16, and the response so far as been huge. In another Instagram post May 18, Russell writes, “We’ve been so moved by your phone calls to heaven. Here’s just one of the 6000 and counting voicemails we’ve received in the last few days. (615) 249-8476.”
Russell Takes Stage in Opry Tribute to Loretta Lynn
Emmy Russell was part of the Grand Ole Opry’s tribute to Loretta Lynn May 13.
During the tribute, Carly Pearce played a voice memo of her own. This one was recorded by Loretta Lynn herself, not long before her death at age 90 in 2022.
Pearce told the audience, “I ended up singing it [‘Dear Miss Loretta’] one night randomly on the Grand Ole Opry stage, and she heard it. And it was right before she passed, and I have this voice memo. I never got to meet her. But I wanna play this for you because I feel like this captures the essence of the wonderful woman that we are celebrating tonight.”
In the voice memo, Loretta Lynn says, “Hi Carly. This is Loretta, honey. I’m layin’ here in bed just takin’ it easy. And I’m fixin’ to get up and wash my face, maybe, comb my hair. I don’t know. I ain’t got no place to go, have I? But anyway, I love your song. Thank you, sweetheart. I love you, honey. Come and see me sometime.”
The tribute to Loretta Lynn also featured Loretta Lynn’s sister Crystal Gayle, Rhonda Vincent, Martina McBride, Ashley McBryde and Twitty & Lynn (a duo made up of Conway Twitty’s grandson, Tre Twitty, and Lynn’s granddaughter, Tayla Lynn.)
Tyler Ward Celebrates Wife Emmy’s Talent
Emmy Russell’s husband Tyler Ward put up a video shot from the wings of his wife performing at the Loretta Lynn tribute at the Opry.
The video starts zoomed in on their 3-month-old daughter Taylor, sleeping in a car seat just offstage as her mom sings. A caption on the video reads, “This is Tyler taking over. Emmy would never let me post this. But I stole her phone cause y’all need to know. Emmy is living out a calling bigger than we both know. This is only the beginning. Full-time mom. Full-time rock star.”
In the post, Tyler writes, “This is @tylerwardmusic taking over Emmy’s phone. She’s special, folks. Very special. Tonight’s @opry show has been incredible. Taylor Baby’s very first Opry show, side stage with momma 🙏🙏”
Another Instagram post from that night shows a montage of pictures and videos of Baby Taylor’s first time at the Opry House for the tribute to her great-grandmother.
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Emmy Russell’s Emotional Tribute to Grandmother, Loretta Lynn