Top 10 Famous Female Country Singers You Need to Know
If you’re a fan of country music, then you probably know that some of the best voices in the industry belong to female artists. These women have not only made their mark in the world of country music, but they have also gained recognition and success in the mainstream music scene.
From classic stars to rising newcomers, there are countless talented female country singers who have captured our hearts with their powerful vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating performances.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the top 10 famous female country singers that every fan should know. We will delve into their backgrounds, musical careers, and notable achievements. So grab your cowboy boots and get ready to meet some incredible women who have left an indelible mark on the country music genre.
Famous female country singers – Introduction
Country music has a rich history of iconic female singers who have shaped the genre with their powerful voices, heartfelt lyrics, and captivating stage presence. These women have broken down barriers, challenged stereotypes, and inspired generations of fans worldwide.
Dolly Parton
No list of famous female country singers would be complete without mentioning the legendary Dolly Parton. She is one of the most iconic and beloved figures in country music, known for her signature blonde hair, voluptuous figure, and powerful voice.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Tennessee in 1946, Dolly Parton began singing at a young age and wrote her first song at the age of five. She moved to Nashville after high school to pursue her dream of becoming a country singer. Her big break came when she joined Porter Wagoner’s television show as a regular performer, and together they released several successful duets.
In the 1970s, Dolly embarked on a solo career and achieved immense success with hits such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also ventured into acting and has starred in several films, including the hit comedy “9 to 5.” Dolly has won numerous accolades, including 11 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, and 3 American Music Awards.
Notable Songs
- “Jolene”
- “I Will Always Love You”
- “Coat of Many Colors”
- “9 to 5”
Shania Twain
Another powerhouse in the country music scene is the Canadian-born singer-songwriter Shania Twain. With her catchy pop-country blend and charismatic stage presence, she has become one of the best-selling female artists of all time.
Musical Career and Achievements
Shania was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1965 and grew up singing in local bars and clubs with her family band. In 1993, she released her self-titled debut album, which achieved moderate success. However, it was her second album, “The Woman in Me,” that catapulted her to stardom. The album sold over 20 million copies worldwide and produced several hit singles, including “Any Man of Mine” and “You’re Still the One.”
In 2002, Shania released her third album, “Up!”, which also became a huge success. She has won five Grammy Awards, 27 BMI Songwriter Awards, and has been inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Notable Songs
- “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”
- “That Don’t Impress Me Much”
- “From This Moment On”
- “Up!”
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood rose to fame after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Since then, she has become one of the most successful female country artists of all time, with numerous awards and chart-topping hits under her belt.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Oklahoma in 1983, Carrie started singing in church as a child and learned to play guitar at the age of 13. After winning American Idol, she released her debut album “Some Hearts,” which became the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history. She has since released six studio albums and has sold over 65 million records worldwide.
Carrie has won numerous awards, including 7 Grammy Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards, and 12 Academy of Country Music Awards. She is also known for her philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to charitable causes.
Notable Songs
- “Before He Cheats”
- “Jesus, Take the Wheel”
- “Something in the Water”
- “Cry Pretty”
Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire is another iconic figure in the world of country music, with a career spanning over four decades. Known for her powerful vocals, heartfelt ballads, and energetic live performances, she has become one of the best-selling female artists in history.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Oklahoma in 1955, Reba started singing at a young age and signed her first record deal in 1975. She found success in the 1980s with hits such as “How Blue” and “Whoever’s in New England.” In the 1990s, she became a crossover star with pop-influenced country songs like “Fancy” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”
Reba has released countless albums and has won numerous awards, including 3 Grammy Awards, 16 American Music Awards, and 9 People’s Choice Awards. She is also an accomplished actress, with roles in TV shows and films like “Tremors” and “Reba.”
Notable Songs
- “Fancy”
- “Consider Me Gone”
- “Is There Life Out There”
- “Does He Love You” (duet with Linda Davis)
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert burst onto the country music scene in 2005 with her debut album “Kerosene.” Known for her gritty, honest songwriting and powerful vocals, she has become one of the top female artists in the industry.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Texas in 1983, Miranda started performing in talent shows as a child and learned to play guitar at the age of 16. After finishing third on the reality show Nashville Star, she signed a record deal with Sony Nashville. Her second album, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” won her several awards, including the Academy of Country Music’s Album of the Year.
Miranda has released seven studio albums and has won numerous awards, including 2 Grammy Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 9 Country Music Association Awards. She is also known for her activism and support of animal rights.
Notable Songs
- “The House That Built Me”
- “Gunpowder Lead”
- “Mama’s Broken Heart”
- “Tin Man”
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is a true pioneer of country music, paving the way for future generations of female artists. With her raw, emotional vocals and songs that touched on controversial topics, she became a trailblazer in the male-dominated music industry.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Kentucky in 1932, Loretta started singing in local clubs and radio programs in her teenage years. In 1960, she released her first single “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl,” which became a hit. She achieved widespread success in the 1960s and 1970s with songs like “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind).”
Loretta has released over 60 albums and has won countless awards, including 4 Grammy Awards, 8 Country Music Association Awards, and 3 Academy of Country Music Awards. In 2013, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
Notable Songs
- “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
- “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”
- “Fist City”
- “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)”
Taylor Swift
While Taylor Swift has now moved on to pop music, she started her career as a country singer and achieved great success in the genre. With her relatable lyrics and catchy melodies, she captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Pennsylvania in 1989, Taylor started writing songs at a young age and moved to Nashville at 14 to pursue a career in country music. She released her self-titled debut album in 2006, which spawned the hit single “Tim McGraw.” Her second album, “Fearless,” became the best-selling album of 2009 and won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards.
Taylor has released seven studio albums and has won numerous awards, including 10 Grammy Awards, 23 Billboard Music Awards, and 12 Country Music Association Awards. She is also known for her philanthropy and has donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes.
Notable Songs
- “Love Story”
- “Teardrops on My Guitar”
- “Shake It Off”
- “You Belong with Me”
Patsy Cline
Although her life and career were tragically cut short, Patsy Cline remains one of the most iconic female voices in country music history. Her smooth, soulful vocals and emotional delivery have influenced countless artists that came after her.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Virginia in 1932, Patsy started singing in local clubs in her teenage years and signed a record deal in 1954. She achieved success in the late 1950s and early 1960s with hits like “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “Crazy.” However, her life was cut short at the age of 30 when she died in a plane crash.
Patsy has released several albums posthumously and has received numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also one of the first female artists to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Notable Songs
- “Crazy”
- “I Fall to Pieces”
- “Walkin’ After Midnight”
- “Sweet Dreams”
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is another powerhouse vocalist who has achieved immense success in the country music scene. With her soulful voice and emotional ballads, she has become one of the top-selling female artists of all time.
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Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Mississippi in 1967, Faith started singing in local churches and fairs and moved to Nashville after high school to pursue a career in music. Her debut album, “Take Me as I Am,” was released in 1993 and spawned the hit singles “Wild One” and “Piece of My Heart.”
Faith has released several successful albums and has won numerous awards, including 5 Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 5 American Music Awards. She has also ventured into acting, with roles in films such as “The Stepford Wives” and “Dixieland.”
Notable Songs
- “Breathe”
- “This Kiss”
- “It Matters To Me”
- “There You’ll Be”
Martina McBride
Martina McBride is known for her powerful vocals, emotional ballads, and uplifting anthems. She has achieved great success in the country music industry and is considered one of the best female vocalists of all time.
Musical Career and Achievements
Born in Kansas in 1966, Martina started singing with her father’s band as a teenager and moved to Nashville after high school. She released her debut album “The Time Has Come” in 1992 and had her first top 10 hit with “My Baby Loves Me.”
Martina has released over a dozen albums and has won numerous awards, including 4 CMA Awards, 3 Academy of Country Music Awards, and an American Music Award. She is also known for her philanthropy and advocacy work, particularly for victims of domestic violence.
Notable Songs
- “Independence Day”
- “Concrete Angel”
- “A Broken Wing”
- “In My Daughter’s Eyes”
Conclusion
These are just ten of the many incredible female country singers that have graced the music scene. Each of these women has made their mark on the industry and has inspired countless others to pursue their dreams of making music.
From classic legends to modern superstars, these female country singers have proven that they have what it takes to dominate the charts and capture our hearts with their powerful voices and relatable lyrics. So the next time you’re listening to your favorite country song, take a moment to appreciate the amazing women who have helped shape this genre into what it is today.
