Tanya ‘Mother’ Tucker Returns To Mother Church

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Tanya Tucker. Photo: Derrek Kupish

Living legend Tanya Tucker returned to the historic Ryman Auditorium for a special performance on Sunday (April 10) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her country music classic, “Delta Dawn.”

The two-time Grammy winner, affectionately referred to as “Tanya Mother Tucker” by her diehard fans for her independent and rule-breaking spirit, delivered a stellar performance that will be remembered for a lifetime by the lucky fans and friends that procured a seat to the sold-out show.

Tucker began the show with a somber performance of the David Allan Coe cover, “Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)” that garnered her first of many standing ovations.

The show was advertised as an evening that would “welcome a few surprise guests,” but this show continuously over delivered, creating a series of non-stop, jaw-dropping moments as each “surprise” guest appeared from the shadows.

When you bring out the legendary Brenda Lee as a surprise guest on the third song of the night, you know you’re in for a special experience. It may have only been April, but the crowd easily got into the spirit when these two country rockers sang Lee’s holiday standard, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

Jeannie Seely and Tanya Tucker. Photo: Derrek Kupish

Next up was the incomparable Opry star Jeannie Seely, who joined Tucker for their rendition of “Don’t Touch Me” that earned a Grammy for Seely back in 1967.

A master in showmanship, Tucker delivered hit after hit and moment after moment.

Tanya Tucker and LeAnn Rimes. Photo: Derrek Kupish

After performing “Strong Enough to Bend” and then bringing out LeAnn Rimes to sing “Love Me Like You Used To,” Tucker admitted, “Tonight’s full of surprises. The first one was me getting into these pants!” Her sassy wit continued throughout the night taking the captivated audience through interwoven stories between her songs and guest performers.

Delbert McClinton joined Tucker on “Tell Me About It,” followed by Jessi Colter performing “Storms Never Last.”

Legendary country songwriter Sonny Throckmorton performed “The Cowboy Rides Away” which created one of George Strait’s early hits in 1985. Tucker’s daughter, Layla Tucker, wowed the crowd with her upcoming single, “The Way I Am,” which was also written by Throckmorton. And it was apparent Mama Tucker hadn’t wandered too far off stage when we heard the proud, supportive mom shout, “Get it, girl!”

Tanya Tucker and Ty Herndon. Photo: Derrek Kupish

Ty Herndon sauntered to the stage to perform “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane” with Tucker, a song she dedicated to her late parents for their enduring love for each other.

Performances continued during the night with guests T. Graham Brown, Leigh Nash, Paul Overstreet, Jason D. Williams, and more.

Session musician great Charlie McCoy, who played on the original one-take recording in 1972 of “Delta Dawn” by a 13-year-old Tucker, came out on stage for the crescendo of the evening.

Tucker flawlessly began performing “Delta Dawn” with both heart and gratitude after acknowledging its significant impact on her career. One by one, all the previous guest performers joined her on stage, escalating the spirit in the Ryman that night until we had all finished singing those poignant lyrics, “To take you to His mansion in the sky.”

Sherod Robertson
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