History of female country singers

This list will never be complete without the iconic Dolly Parton. A post shared by dottiewestandfriends. Alongside Patsy and Lorretta, Dottie is considered one of the most groundbreaking female country music singers. Her song Country Sunshine was used in the iconic Coca-cola commercial. A post shared by djcorncob djcorncob. A post shared by Faith Hill faithhill.

Faith Hill is one of the most widely-known names in the country music genre. The Mississippi-born singer bagged three number ones with her debut album. Despite being a new name, Gabby Barrett has already made records. Her debut single, I Hope, was the first debut single by a solo female artist that topped the Country Radio charts since A post shared by Gretchen Wilson gretchenwilson The Redneck Woman singer is one of the few artists who experienced a meteoric rise.

And she went on to become a Grammy award-winning artist. A post shared by Mason Winfree realcountrymusic. A hidden gem in country music, Jean Shepard was not one to give a damn. She was one of the first women to do honky tonks despite the fact that it was considered uncouth for women. A post shared by Jennifer Nettles jennifernettles. Jennifer Nettles is best known as the other half of the duo Sugarland and is considered one of the most successful lead singers.

A post shared by June Carter Cash junecartercash. Despite being related to famous artists, she carved her own name with her songwriting prowess. She was a five-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most influential women in country music history. Kacey is regarded as the future of the country music genre, breaking the molds of the traditional country by talking about weed and same-sex relationships.

Kathy was a hit country music and bluegrass singer. She charted over 30 singles on the Hot Country Songs chart with four number ones in her career. A post shared by Kelly Clarkson kellyclarkson. Kelly Clarkson was the first-ever winner of American Idol, which helped earn a record deal. Her debut single, A Moment Like This, was the best-selling single of A post shared by Kelsea Ballerini kelseaballerini.

She is one of the hottest names in country music today. A post shared by Lauren Alaina laurenalaina. Lauren Alaina is another American Idol alumna who rose to fame after her runner-up win on the show. In , she bagged the New Female Artist of the Year award. A post shared by LeAnn Rimes Cibrian leannrimes. A post shared by Lee Ann Womack leeannwomack.

This article will introduce you to 31 iconic female country singers from the s, highlighting their active years, major albums, and lasting achievements. Patsy Cline was one of the most influential vocalists of the s , known for her smooth voice and heartfelt ballads. Her career was tragically cut short, but she left a lasting legacy in country music.

History of female country singers

Jean Shepard was a pioneering female artist in the country genre, known for her honky-tonk sound and sharp, storytelling lyrics. Skeeter Davis had a distinct voice that crossed the boundary between pop and country, bringing emotional depth to her performances. Goldie Hill was one of the first women to have a No. Molly Bee was known for her lively performances and became a teen sensation in the s with her upbeat country hits.

Anita Carter was part of the famous Carter Family and contributed to their legacy with her powerful, angelic voice. Rose Maddox was the fiery lead vocalist of The Maddox Brothers and Rose, known for her energetic stage presence and western swing style. Minnie Pearl was a beloved comedian and country singer known for her work on the Grand Ole Opry and her distinct persona with a price-tagged hat.

Though her career skyrocketed in the s and beyond, Dolly Parton began her career in the late s and became a country icon with her signature voice and songwriting prowess. Bonnie Owens was known for her solo work as well as her collaborations with her second husband, Merle Haggard. Martha Carson was known for her gospel-infused country music and was a trailblazer in bringing spiritual themes into the country genre.

Ruby Wright was part of the legendary Wright family of country musicians and was known for her classic honky-tonk sound. Margo Smith was a schoolteacher turned country singer, known for her yodeling skills and her romantic ballads that became popular in the s. Rosalie Allen was a yodeler and country singer who helped popularize country music on radio and through her own show.

Dottie West was one of the most influential female country singers of her time, known for her emotional storytelling and partnership with Jim Reeves. Dorothy Collins was a country singer known for her versatility, having performed in multiple genres, but her work in country music during the s made her an iconic figure in the industry. Sarah Colley, famously known as Minnie Pearl, was a beloved country comedian and singer who became a symbol of country entertainment through her performances on the Grand Ole Opry.

Jenny Lou Carson was one of the first successful female country songwriters, known for her western themes and honky-tonk sound. Jean Chapel was a country singer who made a name for herself in the s as a versatile performer and songwriter. By Casey Monroe Published on September 20, am. Step into the s, when country music was changed forever by a group of strong female artists.

Country Queens of the s Many talented women in country music made a big impact in the s. Here is a list of 15 amazing women who inspired generations after them. Influence on future generations: Inspired artists across genres with songwriting, unique voice, and charisma. Paved the way for country artists to explore different entertainment avenues.

Influence on future generations: Known for powerful vocals and emotional delivery, bringing depth and authenticity to country music. Influence on future generations: Recognized as one of the most influential female country artists, known for her unique blend of country, folk, and rock. Influence on future generations: Known for introspective and personal songwriting, bringing depth to country music storytelling.

Influence on future generations: Regarded as one of the most important figures in country music history, known for groundbreaking songs and influence. Influence on future generations: Paved the way for country artists to expand into television and entertainment. Influence on future generations: Known for powerful voice and rebellious image, bringing a new edge to country music.

Influence on future generations: Known for emotive vocals and heartfelt performances. Influence on future generations: Incorporated folk and acoustic elements into her country sound. With their crisp, folk-flecked compositions and distinctive harmonies, they reinfused tradition into the genre. Margo Price is a modern-day outlaw. She lets her songwriting and artistry speak for itself, without concern for country radio.

Having built a following through social media, streaming and good-old-fashioned hard work, Price can lean into her politically-charged art. In addition to her musical work, the multi-instrumentalist has written a touching, vulnerable memoir shedding light to her grueling ascension in the music industry, while also touching on alcoholism and the loss of her son, Ezra.

Folk, rock, pop, Latin — Linda Ronstadt has done it all, but some of her most celebrated work has come by way of the country genre. When Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings were mere babes, Alison Krauss was pioneering bluegrass music back into popular consciousness. At one time both the singer and woman with the most Grammy wins in history, Krauss singlehandedly took the long institionualised genre and injected it with country and pop influences, introducing it to a whole new, younger audience.

Alongside her countless collaborative work, Krauss has fronted the revered Bluegrass group Union Station, formed a duo with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and even created the music for seminal films, including the global smash hit that was the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? A true genre-leader, Krauss drew the blue grass print for Molly and Billy to study 20 years later.

Throughout the s, women ruled the radio dial and one of the greatest success stories is none other than Trisha Yearwood. Going on to extend her talents into the realms of acting, cooking and more, she first rose to fame in with her career-defining, No. The first Black woman to ever play the Grand Ole Opry, Linda Martell's influence on country music is more significant than most.

Despite facing racial discrimination from the country music industry and audiences she played in front of, Martell's talent and drive made her one of the first Black artists to find commercial success in the genre, securing hits with songs including 'Color Him Father', 'Before The Next Teardrop Falls' and 'Bad Case of the Blues'. Martell paved the way and inspired various Black artists of today to pursue their dreams of being country music stars.

Over the last five decades, Tucker has released 25 studio albums and has achieved more than 40 Top 10 country hits. One of the leading ladies of the countrypolitan sound, Tammy Wynette, armed with her elegant twang and luxurious song styling, helped launch country music into the mainstream. Harris grew up in the folk club scene and merged into country music when she met Gram Parsons in the s, finding herself falling in love with his left-field approach to creativity.

Through her fusion of country and rock, Harris helped to unite rural country audiences and metropolitan rock audiences together in one setting, travelling a singular artistic path and proudly carrying the torch of "cosmic American music" passed down by her mentor. While recording her live album At the Ryman in in the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, Harris revitalized the legendary venue and put it firmly back on the map for generations to come.

All this, and we haven't even talked about the Trio albums she made with Dolly and Linda! During a period where the genre was dominated by men, the Virginia native earned a fervent following and became the first female country artist to headline her own Las Vegas show in , as well as co-headlining the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with Johnny Cash.

Too often overlooked, the songs she recorded broke the ground for artists like Kacey Musgraves to walk on today. As Countrypolitan crossed over into the pop mainstream, Gayle was pushing it a step further with an inventive and off-centre soft pop sound that was like nothing else in country music at the time. Recording with Allen Reynolds — who later worked his magic for Garth Brooks — they set about reshaping the pop-country landscape, with a soft fusion of slow disco-pop, MOR, smooth jazz and a twang of traditional country.

One of the most memorable and adaptable personalities in the whole of the genre's history, singer, multi-instrumentalist, comedian, actress and philanthropist June Carter is Country Music. Carter offered style, passion, grace and unending talent to every project she contributed to — whether as part of the Carter Family or Carter Sisters, offering comedic delight to road shows and the Grand Ole Opry or when writing staples of the country songbook, including 'Ring of Fire'.

June Carter was a natural from the age of 10, and throughout her life left a legacy that would continue to influence the genre to this very day.