Page "Loretta Lynn" Paragraph 15

Her relationship with the Wilburn Brothers and her appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, beginning in 1960, helped Lynn become the number one female recording artist in country music.

Lynn's contract with the Wilburn Brothers gave them the publishing rights to her material.

She was still fighting to regain these rights 30 years after ending her business relationship with them, but was ultimately denied the publishing rights.

Lynn stopped writing music in the 1970s because of these contracts.

Although Kitty Wells had become the first major female country vocalist during the 1950s, by the time Lynn recorded her first record, only three other women-Patsy Cline, Skeeter Davis, and Jean Shepard-had become top stars.

By the end of 1962, it was clear that Lynn was on her way to becoming the fourth.

Lynn has credited Cline as her mentor and best friend during those early years.