Loretta Lynn Statue Unveiled Outside Ryman Auditorium

A statue of Loretta Lynn was unveiled outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Tuesday morning.

Lynn is the third legendary country artist to be honored with a statue on the Ryman's Icon Walk, joining Bill Monroe and Little Jimmy Dickens.

The statue of Lynn, 88, was crafted by artist Ben Watts, according to Taste of Country. Ryman Auditorium general manager Gary Levy and Ryman Hospitality CEO Colin Reed credited the "living legend" for her "enduring" contributions to country music during the ceremony, which took place five days after the 60th anniversary of Lynn's debut at the Grand Ole Opry on October 15, 1960.

The Opry had broadcast live from the Ryman during the time of Lynn's debut, before relocating years later. FOX 17 News shared video footage of the new statue after it was unveiled, which can be viewed below.

"My dream, like thousands of other singers, was just singing on the Grand Ole Opry...Many years, I've stood onstage at the Ryman Auditorium, and there's no place like it," Lynn said via a statement, which was read during the ceremony by Pete Weien of Ryman Hospitality, Taste of Country reports. "It means so much to me to have the statue...One day soon, I'm gonna get to come to the Ryman and see it for myself, but for today, I want to say thank you, and I love each and everyone of you for thinking of me."

The Icon Walk statues of Dickens and Monroe, which were also sculpted by Watts, were both introduced in 2017 as part of the Ryman's 125h anniversary. The venue also features statues of Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl, both of which sit in the building's lobby.

The Icon Walk is set to feature "a collection of detailed bronze likenesses honoring those who have made significant contributions to the historic venue and Music City," according to a 2019 news release via MusicRow.com.