Name: The Coalminers Present: Always Loretta
Start: 2025-04-04T19:00:00-05:00
Location: The Grand Oshkosh

Featuring Emily Portman as Loretta Lynn WITH The Coalminers
April 4, 2025 | 7:00 p.m.
Celebrating 20 years of the Alberta S. Kimball Foundation Series
At an early age, perhaps due to her Kentucky roots and natural inflection, Emily Portman was told that she, “sounded a lot like” country music legend, Loretta Lynn, so she became a student of her artistry.
She was discovered by Michael Twitty (eldest son of Conway Twitty) who cast her to portray Loretta in the nationally touring musical, “It’s Only Make Believe.” Over the next two decades, her portrayal of the Coal Miner’s Daughter would carry to the most prestigious stages (including the Ryman Auditorium and the Grand Ole Opry).
Portman made frequent trips to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch and, during one of her visits, the two singers were enjoying a casual conversation when, in mid-sentence, Lynn paused, looked at her straight in the eyes and said, “ya’ know, we have a real connection, don’t we?” If you ever saw the two performers together, the connection they shared was obvious.
After Ms. Lynn’s unfortunate recent passing, Emily Portman connected with Loretta’s longtime backup band, The Coalminers. They agreed to join talents and collaborate to honor the memory and music of this true country music trailblazer with “Always Loretta” – a show authorized by the Loretta Lynn family that includes all the greatest hits and shares intimate stories of Loretta’s life through the eyes of those who knew her best.
Join us for an AfterGlow featuring Erin Krebs in The Grand Lounge!
From sultry jazz to blues and soul, Erin Krebs lights up the stage with electrifying performances that reflect her genuine passion and zest for life. A celebrated artist in the Wisconsin music scene, Erin has been honored with multiple Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards, including Jazz Artist of the Year (2023, 2018) and Female Vocalist of the Year (2019). With five additional WAMI awards across various categories, she stands as a shining star in the industry and is also a proud member of The Recording Academy.
Erin's love for music was evident from an early age—she was belting out songs on tabletops by age three. A Southern Wisconsin native, she earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from UW-Oshkosh and spent a decade teaching music before dedicating herself fully to her career as a vocalist and music educator.
Today, Erin leads her own Jazz duo & group, fronts the powerhouse blues and soul band Mama Ginger & the Red Hots, and collaborates with Oshkosh's Water City Jazz Orchestra. She has also been a featured guest with numerous acclaimed ensembles across the Fox Valley and beyond.
Erin's discography includes the award-winning album Brighter Days, released by Sun Goose Records, which showcases her remarkable artistry. Whether captivating audiences with her soulful interpretations or mentoring students, Erin's unwavering dedication to her craft continues to leave an indelible mark on the music world.