Photo: Loretta & Willie Hold Hands After The 2019 CMA Awards

For the first time in many years, both Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson were in attendance at the CMA Awards on November 13, 2019.

To kick off the awards show, 14 female country stars shared the stage to perform nine of the genre’s biggest hits from female artists spanning more than 40 years.

Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, The Highwomen, Tanya Tucker, Gretchen Wilson, Crystal Gayle, Terri Clark, Sara Evans, and Martina McBride sang a medley of hits.

While Lynn was being honored with a snippet of “You’re Lookin’ At Country,” Jennifer Nettles made an announcement to the crowd that Lynn was in the front row.

She said, “This is for a living legend, we’re so honored to sing for her tonight! Sitting right there, the first woman ever to win CMA Entertainer of the Year, Miss Loretta Lynn!”

Of course, the audience went wild for the legend, who waved with a big smile from her seat.

Willie was in attendance because he performed “Rainbow Connection,” which he recorded in 2001, with Kacey Musgraves.

After the show, the two legends reunited – on Willie’s tour bus – and chatted. Luckily, Loretta shared the photo with us on Instagram!

“I had the best time at CMA Country Music Association Awards last night. It was so good to see so many of my friends. I loved catching up with my buddy Willie Nelson!” she wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B42aQSMjNof/?utm_source=ig_embed

It looks like they spent quite some time together on Willie’s bus! Another photo was posted by the Facebook page Down On Music Row of the two holding hands while talking.

https://www.facebook.com/downonmusicrow/photos/a.1090743034306490/2593518377362274/?type=3&__tn__=-R

We love to see them together!

Watch them perform their 2016 duet “Lay Me Down” below.