Oliver Lynn

Who was Oliver Lynn?

Oliver Vanetta Lynn, Jr., better known as Doolittle Lynn was an American talent manager and country music figure, best known as the husband of country music legend Loretta Lynn. Over the course of their often-tumultuous nearly 50-year marriage, Doolittle was instrumental in developing Lynn's musical talent and country music career, purchasing her first guitar, getting her first radio appearances, and serving as her de facto talent manager for many years.

In addition to his ongoing support for his young wife's career, Loretta wrote about her husband, "[He] thought I was something special, more special than anyone in the world, and never let me forget it... Doo was my security, my safety net". He was also known to be violent, an alcoholic, and a womanizer who was a somewhat reluctant participant in his wife's life as a country music celebrity. Nonetheless, he was a central figure in many of his wife's hits, including "Fist City", "The Pill", "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'", and "You Ain't Woman Enough". Loretta said, "Doo really gave me a lot of things to write about, you know. He was very...what do you call it? Inspirational".