BIG ARTS Performing Arts 2025 - Always Loretta Program

Proudly Presents

Always Loretta The Ultimate Loretta Lynn Tribute Starring Emily Portman & The Coalminers Band

Christensen Performance Hall on The Madeline Janis Courter Stage

Saturday, January 18, 2025

A B O U T A LWAY S L O R E T TA

Always Loretta is a show dedicated to honoring the timeless music and legacy of country music legend Loretta Lynn.

Led by Emily Portman and the Original Coalminers, the show recreates Loretta’s greatest hits and unforgettable moments, keeping her music alive for future generations.

With heartfelt performances and authentic storytelling, Always Loretta celebrates the life and impact of one of country music’s most iconic voices.

“You don't have to know country music to love Loretta Lynn.”

- Michael Kantor, Executive Producer of PBS' American Masters

A B O U T E M I LY & T H E C OA L M I N E R S EMILY PORTMAN LEAD VOCALS Emily Portman, a native of Kentucky, began her musical journey singing in church and playing in her high school band. Influenced by her parents’ love of classic country and rock, with artists like Merle Haggard, Jim Croce, and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Emily developed her unique style. In college, she joined a choral group, learned guitar, and started performing professionally at the Corydon Jamboree in Indiana. However, it was her covers of Loretta Lynn that truly caught people’s attention. In 2004, she won a “Sing Like” contest at the Kentucky Opry for her portrayal of Loretta, which would launch her career.

A few years later, Emily was discovered by Michael Twitty and cast as Loretta in the national tour of It’s Only Make Believe, establishing her as a standout tribute performer.

Over the next two decades, she performed on prestigious stages like the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, even forming a close friendship with Loretta herself. After Loretta’s passing, Emily teamed up with The Coalminers, Loretta’s longtime band, to create Always Loretta, a show that keeps the music and memory of the country icon alive through stories and performances of her greatest hits.

DAVID THORNHILL BAND LEADER | LEAD GUITAR Thornhill’s first performance with Loretta Lynn was in 1967 as the lead guitarist for The Country Playboys at the once famous Frontier Ranch in Columbus, Ohio. The group served as the band for countless nationally touring country artists (Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Lynn Anderson, Merle Travis, Carl Smith, etc.) as they passed through, including Loretta Lynn, who told the audience, “I’ve played all over the world and this is the only band that did all my stuff just like the record. If I could ever afford a band, this is the only band I’d like to have.” Two years later, she hired all five musicians and her band, The Coalminers, was formed.

He would serve as guitarist and bandleader for Loretta Lynn for 55 years (until 2017) and played over 10,000 shows with her (including her duet shows with the great Conway Twitty and serving as the band that backed Sissy Spacek in the movie “The Coal Miner’s Daughter”).

BOB HEMPKER STEEL GUITAR Also one of the original members of Loretta’s band, Hempker began performing with The Coalminers at the age of 21. He served as Loretta’s steel guitarist for 17 years before taking a seven year sabbatical to focus on his family, after which, he rejoined the group and stayed with them for another six years until Loretta left the road to care for her husband, Mooney. During this time, Bob went to work with Roy Clark and performed with him for eight years, and then did a two-year stint performing in Branson.

Bob would reunite with The Coalminers in 2014 and stayed with the group through her retirement from the road in 2017.

DENNIS DIGBY BASS GUITAR | BACKGROUND VOCALS Originally hailing from Atlanta, Dennis embarked on his musical journey as the bass player for Mel Tillis during his high school years.

Throughout his illustrious career, he shared the stage with country music legends like Tex Ritter, The Osborne Brothers, Charlie Louvin, and more.

Joining The Coalminers in 1982, Dennis became a cornerstone of Loretta Lynn’s iconic sound for over 17 years. His rhythm and soulful notes resonate through the years, making him an integral part of the country music legacy.

MONTY PARKEY PIANO | KEYBOARD | BACKGROUND VOCALS Xenia, Ohio native Monty Parkey moved to Nashville in 1976 to perform music. His resume reads like a “Who’s Who” of country music.

His keyboard playing has supported a lengthy list of country music notables, including: • • • • • •

Bill Anderson (5 years) Randy Travis (5 years) Alan Jackson (15 years) Darryl Worley (10 years), Sylvia (3 years) Tanya Tucker (1 ½ years), Lorrie Morgan (4 years) The Great Loretta Lynn (3 years in the mid ‘80s)

ERIC KABERLE DRUMS | BACKGROUND VOCALS Eric grew up in Rowley, Iowa, among a population of 250 people in the middle of a cornfield. He started playing drums in his grandpa’s country band alongside his dad at age 7. In 1995, he graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in music performance and education, then moved to Nashville two months later to pursue his dream job of playing drums for a major country artist. He jumped head first into the Nashville music scene in his first few years, playing the Opryland Theme Park, the General Jackson, the Grand Ole Opry, and Lower Broadway, in addition to playing regularly for several recording studios and also writing songs.

In 2002, Kaberle got the call to play for Loretta and maintained that position for 15 years until she came off the road in 2017. Since then, he has worked as drummer and background singer for John Conlee.

JEAN ANNE TARLETON BACKGROUND VOCALS Vocalist Jean Anne Tarleton has had an impressive career as a consummate triple threat—she is a singer, a dancer, and songwriter with enormous success in all three areas. As a vocalist, she has backed an incredible list of legendary artists, including Perry Como, Robert Goulet, Sammy Davis Jr., Jimmy Stafford, Kiki Dee, The Babys, Mac Davis, Brenda Lynn, and of course, Loretta Lynn, for whom she worked for three years in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s.

Her catalog as a songwriter includes hits: “Love Is Like A Rolling Stone” (The Pointer Sisters), “Do It Again” (Paulette Reeves), “Fall For You” (Walter Egan), “That’s Freedom” (Tim Kimmel, John Farnham), “Someday Soon” - Woodstock: The Director’s Cut (Chapman-Springs), and more.

As a dancer, she has appeared on such shows as: “Make Your Own Kind Of Music” (NBC show featuring Al Hirt, The Carpenters & The Doodletown Pipers), “SWING” (featuring Frank Sinatra Jr. and Harry James & his orchestra), “The Jimmy Stafford Show” (CBS show featuring Jean Anne & Deborah Allen), “The Mac Davis Show,” “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” “Hee-Haw,” and countless others.

Great communities create great organizations – not the other way around.

In 1979, BIG ARTS was created by, and for, the community, and owes its rich history to a small band of dedicated artists who drew inspiration from each other and from the breathtaking island beauty that infused their work with grace and authenticity. They set out to create a special gathering place where artistic and educational experiences were accessible to all. Today that vision is alive and well. With the help of our loyal donors and supporters, BIG ARTS will carry that vision forward – providing joy, inspiration and a sense of community for generations to come.

Vision

To create great arts, entertainment and learning experiences that always inspire, enrich and delight.

Mission

Provide an array of quality entertainment, arts and education programs that enrich and nurture the lives of Sanibel and Captiva residents and visitors through: • professionally led arts and enrichment classes and workshops for students of all ages • stimulating and informative lectures and group discussions with renowned national thought leaders and educators • dynamic visual and performing arts presentations of the highest caliber BIG ARTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

All donations are tax deductible.

See website for ticket purchase policy.

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