Miranda Lambert's night at the 2018 ACM Awards was special for many reasons, but that she was using a guitar signed by one of country music's most celebrated legends may have been overlooked.

When Lambert took the stage for a fierce performance of her empowering song, "Keeper of the Flame," Loretta Lynn was there with her in spirit. The guitar Lambert used is signed by the icon, who wrote a personal message with her autograph: "I love you Miranda. Love you, honey. Loretta Lynn."

The choice was perhaps a nod to bold women who have come before, the ones Lambert sings about in "Keeper of the Flame": "I'm the keeper of the flame / The teller of the story / The keeper of the flame / For the ones that came before me." 

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Lambert and Lynn have forged a longstanding respect for one another throughout Lambert's career, as the modern country powerhouse has cited the legendary "The Pill" singer as an influence.

“Loretta always just said exactly what she was going through right then in her music, and that’s why it resonates with us," Lambert said in a 2016 documentary honoring Lynn's legacy titled American Masters - Loretta Lynn: Still a Mountain Girl. She also recorded a version of Lynn's famous "Coal Miner's Daughter" with the legend and Sheryl Crow for a 2010 tribute album of the same name.

The modern country superstar is well on her way to creating a legacy of her own. Lambert is now the most awarded artist in ACM Awards history after taking home Song of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2018 show, bringing her total wins to 32 and besting Brooks & Dunn's record of 29.

Lambert will hit the road with Little Big Town on the co-headlining Bandwagon Tour this summer.

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