It’s common knowledge that American Idol Season 22 contestant Emmy Russell is related to Loretta Lynn — but when you dig a little deeper, it turns out that her family includes quite a few other well-known country singers!
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Who Is Emmy Russell From American Idol?
Russell, 25, has consistently been a standout during Season 22 of American Idol, and she’s become a real audience favorite. Most recently, she won her way into the Top 7 with a stunning, emotional performance of Lynn’s signature hit, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
How Is Emmy Russell Related to Loretta Lynn?
Emmy Russel from American Idol is Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter. She even performed on stage with her iconic memaw, and she inherited her acoustic guitar, which she plays in her own live performances.
Who Are Emmy Russell’s Other Family Members?
In addition to her Country Music Hall of Famer grandmother, Emmy Russell is related to at least nine other well-known singers and musicians, by our count.
Loretta Lynn had four other siblings who pursued successful careers in music, and five of her own children also inherited the musical talent that runs in the family.
Scroll through the photos below to see which members of Emmy Russell’s family are famous singers and musicians.
PICTURES: ‘American Idol’ Star Emmy Russell Has a VERY Famous Family
It’s common knowledge that American Idol Season 22 contestant Emmy Russell is related to Loretta Lynn — but when you dig a little deeper, it turns out that her family includes quite a few other well-known country singers!
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
Loretta Lynn: Grandmother
Terry Wyatt, Getty Images
Loretta Lynn: Grandmother
Loretta Lynn was Emmy Russell’s grandmother, and a strong early influence on the young singer.
Crystal Gayle: Great-Aunt
Jason Davis, Getty Images
Crystal Gayle: Great-Aunt
Crystal Gayle (birth name Brenda Gail Webb) is Loretta Lynn’s sister, making the “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” hitmaker Emmy Russell’s great-aunt.
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Jay Lee Webb: Great-Uncle
Jay Lee Webb (birth name Willie Lee Webb) was Loretta Lynn’s brother, making him Emmy Russell’s great-uncle. He was also a country singer, most notable for his song “I Come Home A-Drinkin’ (To a Worn-Out Wife Like You),” which was an answer song to Lynn’s 1967 hit “Don’t Come A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).” He died in 1996.
Donald Ray Webb: Great-Uncle
Courtesy McDonald Funeral Homes
Donald Ray Webb: Great-Uncle
Donald Ray Webb was Loretta Lynn’s brother and Emmy Russell’s great-uncle. He was also a songwriter, and his sister, Crystal Gayle, cut one of his songs, titled “Clock in the Wall,” in 1978. He died in 2017.
Peggy Sue: Great-Aunt
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Peggy Sue: Great-Aunt
Peggy Sue (birth name Peggy Sue Webb) is Loretta Lynn’s sister and Emmy Russell’s great-aunt. She released five country albums and a long string of singles from 1969-1981, scoring her biggest solo hit with “I’m Dynamite” in 1969. She also co-wrote “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind” with Loretta Lynn, and after she wrapped her solo career, she became a backing singer for her other sister, Crystal Gayle.
Betty Sue Lynn: Aunt
Luff Bowen Funeral Home
Betty Sue Lynn: Aunt
Betty Sue Lynn was Loretta Lynn’s oldest daughter, and Emmy Russell’s aunt. She was also a songwriter who helped write Lynn’s songs “Wine, Women and Song” and “The Home You’re Tearin’ Down.” She died in 2013.
Cissie Lynn: Aunt
Cissie Lynn: Aunt
Cissie Lynn (birth name Clara Marie Lynn) is Loretta Lynn’s second-oldest daughter and Emmy Russell’s aunt. According to People, she opened for stars like Mel McDaniel, George Jones and Conway Twitty during her musical career. In 2011, Cissie and her husband John Beams released a joint album of Loretta Lynn hits called The Daughter of the Coal Miner’s Daughter, which her mother produced.
Ernest Ray Lynn: Uncle
Ernest Ray Lynn: Uncle
Ernest Ray Lynn is Loretta Lynn’s son and Emmy Russell’s uncle. According to People, he opened for his mom on the road and also played in her band during his musical career. He and his wife later worked on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
Peggy Jean Lynn: Aunt
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Peggy Jean Lynn: Aunt
Peggy Jean Lynn is one of Loretta Lynn’s youngest daughters, who are twins. She is Emmy Russell’s aunt. She and her sister, Patsy, formed a duo called the Lynns, which released a self-titled album in 1998 and charted two songs.
Patsy Lynn Russell: Mother
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Patsy Lynn Russell: Mother
Patsy Lynn Russell is Peggy’s twin sister, Loretta Lynn’s daughter and Emmy Russell’s mother. She joined her twin sister Peggy in the Lynns and later worked very closely with her mom in helping manage her day-to-day life.
