Editing Lynn Anderson (section)

==Early life==
Lynn Rene Anderson was born in [[Grand Forks, North Dakota]], on September 26, 1947, to Casey and [[Liz Anderson]].<ref name="Billboard Obituary">{{cite magazine |last1=Dauphin |first1=Chuck |title=Lynn Anderson, Country Star Behind 'Rose Garden,' Dies at 67 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/6649400/lynn-anderson-country-star-rose-garden-dead |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2020}}</ref> Her grandparents were Scandinavian immigrants who established a North Dakota "saddle club". According to Anderson, she could ride horses before she could walk.{{sfn|Cusic, Don|2011|p=176}} While she was still a young child, the family relocated to a subdivision in [[Fair Oaks, California]].{{sfn|Adams, Greg|2005|p=1}}<ref name="Billboard Obituary"/> 

However, Anderson insisted that her parents move to a [[ranch]], prompting the family to move to [[Sacramento, California]]. In Sacramento, the Anderson family bought a ranch with two acres of land. The family raised horses, which she learned how to ride and care for. At the age of 9, Anderson won second place at a local horse-racing event in [[San Francisco, California]].{{sfn|Cusic, Don|2011|p=176}} Lynn also became interested in performing from an early age. Both her parents were aspiring songwriters that had formed friendships with west country performers.{{sfn|Adams, Greg|2005|p=1}}<ref name="Billboard Bridges">{{cite magazine |last1=Dauphin |first1=Chuck |title=Lynn Anderson Talks 'Bridges' Album: 'You Never Know Where Your Next Deal Might Come From' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/6613167/lynn-anderson-bridges-album-interview |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=June 2, 2020}}</ref> Her performing and musical interests continued into [[high school]]. During her teens she landed a job working as a secretary for [[KCVV|KROY]] in Sacramento.{{sfn|Adams, Greg|2005|p=1}} Upon graduating, she became the station's secretary to the general manager.{{sfn|Cusic, Don|2011|p=176}}

While working full-time, Lynn continued entering equestrian competitions. Once winning several competitions, she was dubbed the "California Horse Show Queen" in 1966.<ref name="Billboard Obituary"/>{{sfn|Adams, Greg|2005|p=1}} While watching her daughter at these events, Liz Anderson was also composing songs. She sent her compositions to [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] and [[Nashville, Tennessee]], where they were heard by music executives.{{sfn|Cusic, Don|2011|p=176}} Among the songs heard was "[[(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers]]", which was recorded by [[Merle Haggard]] in 1964.{{sfn|Adams, Greg|2005|p=1}} The song led producer [[Chet Atkins]] to sign Liz to a recording contract at RCA Victor. This prompted the family to relocate to Nashville.{{sfn|Cusic, Don|2011|p=176}} Before officially moving, Liz took a brief trip with her daughter to Nashville in 1965. At a hotel, mother and daughter performed in an informal sing-along with several other artists. Also present at the sing-along was producer [[Slim Williamson]]. Impressed by her vocals, Williamson offered Lynn a recording contract of her own.{{sfn|Adams, Greg|2005|p=1}} In 1966, she signed her first recording contract with [[Chart Records]].<ref name="Billboard Obituary"/>