Chevel Shepherd is earning high praise from the family of Loretta Lynn. After the Season 15 winner of The Voice released “Lookin’ for Loretta,” Lynn’s family praised Shepherd for the song, revealing the Country Music Hall of Fame member was a big fan of the rising star.

“We are such huge [Chevel Shepherd] fans,” the family writes. “She won our hearts singing mom’s songs on American Idol [sic]. “Mom was so proud to meet her and cheer her on when Chevel came as her guest to her big birthday bash at Bridgestone. We love this new song!”

Shepherd commented on their tribute, saying, “I grew up loving Loretta and I am so blessed to get to honor her on this new song. I dedicated this song to Loretta when I recorded it and that still holds true. I love you,”

I grew up loving Loretta and I am so blessed to get to honor her on this new song. I dedicated this song to Loretta when I recorded it and that still holds true. I love you❤️ https://t.co/BY0Qm3S5dB

— chevel 😉 (@officialchevel) February 24, 2023

Shepherd grew up influenced by traditional country music, and especially female icons like Lynn, who are still helping to shape Shepherd’s promising career. Those influences were evident on her debut Everybody’s Got a Story EP, which was released in March of 2021

“I love Loretta,” Shepherd previously told Everything Nash. “She’s definitely one of my favorites. I look up to her as a musician and as a person. She’s always stayed true to herself, and never strayed away from that. And then I look up to Tanya Tucker, Gretchen Wilson, The Chicks. I look up to all of them. There are a lot of musical influences on my record that stem from them, because that’s the music that I grew up listening to, but I always make it my own. But my influence, my biggest one would have to be Loretta. And I also love Dolly [Parton] as well.”

Shepherd was just 16 years old when she won The Voice, which she did by performing songs like “You Look So Good In Love,” “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Ol’ Days),” “Blue” and more. The New Mexico native has always been drawn to the older country music songs, more than the latest trents.

“I’ve always had a really old soul,” Shepherd shared. “I’ve been told that quite a few times. It’s all about the story for me, and the connection. And even though I am 18, I haven’t lived a lot of life yet. I try and connect, put myself into the lyrics to the song and really make sure that I feel it so that people know that I feel it just like they’re going to feel it.”

“Lookin’ for Loretta” and all of Shepherd’s music can be found at Chevel.org.

Photo Credit: Shutterfreek