Loretta Lynn's granddaughter Emmy Russell sings Bonnie Raitt classic on “American Idol”

The musician advanced on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame night on the singing competition.

American Idol’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame night produced memorable performances, but Emmy Russell, the granddaughter of late country legend Loretta Lynn, again put together a fan-favorite performance.

Russell performed Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” putting her own spin on the classic song in hopes of making the show’s final 12. The singer appeared to feel good about her performance, smiling and laughing a little as the band played out its final notes.

Disney/Eric McCandless Emmy Russell on ‘American Idol’

Russell was loosened up before her performance by the night’s guest mentor, Gene Simmons of Kiss. “When Emmy came in, I immediately saw the tightness, which is your enemy, by the way, because on stage you will wilt like a flower that hasn’t been getting water,” Simmons said.

“The realness of your voice is so listenable,” Luke Bryan told Russell after she sang. “I have full body chills, and we have singers coming up here dancing and belting songs through the roof, but the realness and innocence that you are able to do week in and week out is your thing, and it’s very, very special.”

Judge Katy Perry also had praise for Russell’s latest performance. “Emmy, you are not competing against any of those people, you are competing against yourself,” she said. “And tonight you won.”

Russell had reason to feel good. She survived the night. It was Jordan Anthony and Nya who found themselves eliminated during Sunday’s episode, despite singing some classic pop songs — “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” respectively.

K. Mazur/WireImage Loretta Lynn and Bonnie Raitt

Russell surprised the American Idol judges with her iconic lineage during her audition, before giving viewers a tour of the country legend’s ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. “My family grew up here, my mom grew up here. This is my meemaw’s house,” she said. “She’s one of the biggest country music singers of all time, but to me she’s just my grandma, and growing up on the bus and all that was very normal to me.”

Lynn, who died in 2022 at age 90, had her first country hit in 1960 with “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl.” Her flinty voice and no-nonsense lyrics made her a staple at the Grand Ole Opry. During her lifetime, she had over a dozen songs make the country music charts, including 1967’s “Don’t Come Home a’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” 1968’s “Fist City,” 1969’s “Woman of the World (Leave My World Alone),” and the autobiographical “Coal Miner’s Daughter” from 1970, which have all become country standards. Lynn’s autobiography, Coal Miner’s Daughter, was turned into the 1980 movie of the same name, with Sissy Spacek winning the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of the country star.

Watch Russell’s performance on American Idol above.

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