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By Lauren Johnson

Playing and singing gospel music with her family on Friday and Saturday nights, Linda Senn never dreamed that one day she would be singing gospel music at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.

But, on Sunday morning, July 12, Senn will perform at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch Spring Chuckwagon Races. She will be the special performer at the Ranch’s Cowboy Church.

Senn said it is, and has been, God’s plan for her to have opportunities to share His love through song.

“When I was growing up in Brundidge, we didn’t just sing at home,” Senn said. “We would go to other houses and other places to sing and that was a big part of my family’s life and of mine …for a while. Then, I stopped singing. But God spoke to me.”

Senn said God expects those who are given special talents to use them. If not, He takes them away.

“I didn’t want God to take my talent away so I got back out there and started singing,” she said.

And, the way Senn sings is much like “old country.”

Senn grew up singing those old-time gospel songs and she knows that others like them, too.

“People love those old songs like, ‘I Saw the Light,’” she said. “They really like the faster, happier, country songs. I like to sing them, too.”

About 12 years ago, country music star, Charlie Pride” heard Senn sing on My Space and sent her a message that he liked the way she sang.

“Coming for him, that was a great compliment,” Senn said.

About two weeks later, two dozen red roses were delivered to Senn from Charlie Pride.

Although Senn took great pride in Charlie Pride’s acknowledgement of her talent, she said her greatest blessings come from being invited to sing her kind of country music in churches, especially cowboy churches.

“Most cowboy churches are small but well attended,” Senn said. “They love gospel music and the sing openly and worship openly. That’s the way I sing.”

But, no matter where she sings, in a one-room church or on stage at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, Linda Senn said she sings “to the glory of God.”