Lynn Rene Anderson was one of the most important female country music voices of her time. She was one of the biggest names in the genre by 1970 and helped pave the way for future Nashville stars throughout her celebrated career.
Anderson was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 1947, but was raised in California by her songwriter parents, Casey and Liz Anderson. She had a knack for performing early on, singing at local horse shows as well as the local program Country Caravan.
The future star was working as a radio station’s secretary in California when her mother’s song, “(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers” was recorded by the great Merle Haggard and became a hit. Her mother secured a record deal with RCA Victor, and when she moved to Nashville, Lynn went with her. She was quickly discovered by Chart Records and released her own debut single, “For Better or for Worse,” in 1966.
