Loretta Lynn Readies Two New Recordings

Country music legend Loretta Lynn is following up her Grammy-winning 2004 album 'Van Lear Rose,' with not one but two new recording projects.

The 73-year-old tells Billboard she's working on an album of new material that could be ready by late spring, saying that the album will be in the traditional country vein but will deal with modern issues.

"(A friend) told me: 'Loretta, don't quit writing, because if you do, no one in Nashville is writing songs,'" Lynn says. "I write about what's happening today and how I feel."

The second project, which could be in stores by the summer, is an album of re-recorded versions of her No. 1 hits from the past four decades. John Carter Cash is producing the collection, and Lynn says the only child of Johnny Cash and June Carter is easy to work with because she and his father were close friends.

The idea for it came from fan reaction to some of the songs during her live performances. In particular, Lynn says the anti-Vietnam war tune, 'Dear Uncle Sam.' her first self-penned hit to reach the Top 10 in 1966, has gained new resonance with anti-war crowds today.

"I want to make sure that they get all the old No. 1 hits over the years," she says. "They holler for them."

'Van Lear Rose' was produced by the White Stripes' Jack White, And while the two do stay in touch, Lynn says she doesn't get to see White very often. She says she plans to call him soon, "to see what the devil he's up to."