Loretta Lynn to Receive 'Legend' Award at Billboard's Women in Music 2015

Billboard, the leading global destination for charts, news, business, lifestyle and innovations in music, today announced groundbreaking country music singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn as the recipient of the inaugural Women in Music "Legend" award. The Legend award celebrates an artist whose historic contributions to the industry and artistry of American music establish her among the highest class of performers.

Lifetime, the exclusive broadcast partner, will air Women in Music on December 18. The program is held in conjunction with the publication of Billboard's Women in Music list, which selects the year's 50 most powerful female executives in the industry.

"From the moment she broke through more than five decades ago, Loretta Lynn has been an unstoppable musical force who writes and performs with a breathtaking fearlessness and honesty," said Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer of Guggenheim Media's Entertainment Group, which consists of Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter. "As a musical pioneer, author, and inspiration to everyone from Jack White to Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn has pushed every boundary in music and is the definition of a legend. We are honored to present this award to her."

Lynn will revisit her musical roots on her first studio album in over 10 years, Full Circle, set for release on March 4, 2016 on Legacy Recordings. Produced by Patsy Lynn Russell and John Carter Cash, and recorded at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the album is her first since the Grammy Award-winning Van Lear Rose.

Living legend Lynn is an icon on Billboard's charts. The singer, songwriter, guitarist has earned 39 top 10 albums on the Top Country Albums chart, with 11 of them topping the list - the second-most among women. Lynn most recently hit the top 10 with her Jack White-produced effort Van Lear Rose, which peaked at No. 2 in 2004 and became her highest charting album ever on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. She's achieved 16 No. 1 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, including smashes like "Don't Come Home A'Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)," "She's Got You," "After the Fire Is Gone" and 1970's "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Sissy Spacek portrayed Loretta Lynn in a movie as the same name of her 1970 hit title and autobiography, a role for which Spacek won an Academy Award for Best Actress.

At the Women in Music event, women from across the music industry will be honored for their contributions including Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Brittany Howard, Fifth Harmony, Kelsea Ballerini and Lana Del Rey. Lady Gaga will be presented with Woman of the Year award at the VIP event on December 11 in New York.

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