Frustrated, she parted ways with Decca and signed with United Artists in 1974, where she was teamed with producer Allen Reynolds. Unfortunately, this approach failed to establish Gayle in her own right, even with regular appearances on Jim Ed Brown's television show The Country Place. Far from encouraging Gayle to develop her own style, Decca pushed for more 'little Loretta' records, and Lynn actually wrote some of her early singles. Gayle's debut single was 1970's 'I've Cried (The Blues Right Out of My Eyes)' done in a style very similar to Lynn's, it reached the country Top 40. Lynn suggested the name Crystal, inspired by the Krystal hamburger chain, and Brenda adopted her middle name to come up with Crystal Gayle. Lynn's label, Decca, signed the young singer as soon as she was done with high school, but suggested a name change so as to avoid confusion with labelmate Brenda Lee. Lynn encouraged her younger sister and started bringing her out on tour for a few weeks each summer. Inspired in part by Lynn's success, Brenda learned guitar and started performing folk songs in high school, also singing backing vocals in her brother's band. The family moved to Wabash, Indiana when Brenda was four, and she started singing along with country and pop songs on the radio at a young age. Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb in Paintsville, Kentucky, in 1951 her older sister was future superstar Loretta Lynn, though Lynn had already left home by the time Brenda was born. “ I’m sitting on the swing while Loretta is taking a great nap!” Crystal lovingly pointed out in the caption to the photo.One of the most popular and widely recognized female country singers of her era, Crystal Gayle supported her trademark, nearly floor-length hair with a supple voice, a flair for ballads, and a crossover-friendly country-pop style that netted her the occasional mainstream hit. Instead of standing with her other siblings or sitting next to Crystal, Loretta decided to stretch out on the porch swing and close her eyes, resting her head in Crystal’s lap. And while it’s still a precious picture, it’s also a source of comedy, and all because of how Loretta chose to pose. If it hadn’t been for Loretta, the photo would have just been a sweet family snapshot.

She points out her brother Herman, sisters Betty Ruth and Peggy Sue, and of course, Loretta! boomunderground / Giphy Loretta Snapped Snoozing That’s exactly what Crystal did when she dug up an old photo of herself with some of her brothers and sisters. Still, the siblings that remain are as close as ever, and look back with fondness on the times they shared together. Today, the family is a little smaller than it used to be, as some of the Webb siblings have passed away. I love you! #lorettalynnĪ post shared by Crystal Gayle on at 6:13am PDT I’m so happy you were chosen for this honor. Congratulations to my sister, Loretta for being recognized as CMT’s Artist of a Lifetime.

Crystal gayle and loretta lynn