Top 5 Women Country Music Singers You Need to Know

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

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If you’re a fan of country music, then you need to know about the top 5 female country music singers. These ladies are at the top of their game, and they’re sure to get your feet tapping.

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert is a country music singer and songwriter. She is best known for her songs “Gunpowder & Lead” and “Mama’s Broken Heart”. Lambert has won multiple awards, including the Academy of Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Country Album.

Biography

Miranda Leigh Lambert (born November 10, 1983) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Outside of her solo career, she is a member of the Pistol Annies alongside Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Lambert has been honored by the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Country Music Association Awards.

Lambert rose to fame in 2003 as a finalist on Nashville Star, where she placed third. Her debut album Kerosene (2005) was certified Platinum in the United States, and produced the singles “Me and Charlie Talking”, “Bring Me Down”, “Kerosene”, and “New Strings”. All four singles were Top 40 hits on Billboard Hot Country Songs. Her second album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007), was released three months later to critical acclaim; its lead single “Famous in a Small Town” was a Top 10 hit on the country charts, while follow-up single “Gunpowder & Lead” peaked at number 13.Her third album, Revolution (2009), was released in September 2009 to positive reviews; lead single “The House That Built Me” became her first Song of the Year win at both the Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards.The album’s second single, “Heart Like Mine”, also charted that year.

Lambert’s fourth album Four the Record (2011) was released on November 1; its first two singles (“Baggage Claim” and “Over You”) were both major hits on country radio; while two other singles (“Fastest Girl in Town” and “Mama’s Broken Heart”) were also modestly successful.Her fifth album Platinum debuted at number one on both Billboard 200 albums chart and Top Country Albums chart—making her only the second female artist to do so after Carrie Underwood—and features her most successful single on country radio so far with 2014’s
lead single Automatic which reached Number One in August 2014 according to Billboard magazine.”Somethin’ Bad”, a duet with rock singer Carrie Underwood, followed as last single from Platinum in mid-2014 peaking at Number Two on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. In 2016 she received critical acclaim for her sixth studio album The Weight of These Wings which earned her two Grammy
Awards for Best Country Solo Performance for Vice and Best Country Album.

Why She’s Important

Miranda Leigh Lambert is an American country music singer and songwriter. Outside her solo career, she is a member of the Pistol Annies alongside Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Lambert has been honored by the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards.

Lambert’s debut album Kerosene was certified Platinum in the United States, and produced the singles “Me and Charlie Talking”, “Bring Me Down”, “Kerosene”, and “New Strings”. All four singles were Top 40 hits on Billboard Hot Country Songs. Her second album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, was released in early 2007. Five of its singles were top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with its lead single “Gunpowder & Lead” becoming her first top 10 hit in July 2008; “Heart Like Mine” and “The House That Built Me” both followed in 2010, with the latter giving Lambert her first No. 1 hit on that chart. In 2011, Lambert released her third album, Revolution. The lead single “Baggage Claim” peaked at number five on Country Airplay in December 2011, while “Fastest Girl in Town” acted as a pre-release to Revolution before peaking at number 28 in August 2012; both songs were Top Ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The album’s fourth single — autotuned ballad “Over You,” which she co-wrote with then-husband Blake Shelton about the death of his brother — won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance at the 2013 ceremonies.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, and has since become one of the most successful country music artists of all time. Underwood has sold more than 65 million records worldwide, and has won seven Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, and numerous other awards.

Biography

Carrie Underwood was born on March 10, 1983, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and raised on her parents’ farm in the nearby rural town of Checotah. As a child, she performed at rodeos and local talent shows with her guitar-playing father. She later competed on the popular television show American Idol, winning thefourth season in 2005. That same year, she released her debut album Some Hearts, which quickly went platinum and made Underwood the best-selling solo female artist in country music history.

In 2007, she won two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. She released her second album, Carnival Ride, in 2007 and her third album, Play On, in 2009. Both albums were huge commercial successes and produced several hit singles. In 2010, she won another Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

Underwood has also appeared on television shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live. In 2012, she starred in the film Soul Surfer. She released her fourth album, Blown Away, in 2012 and her fifth album, Storyteller, in 2015. Her sixth studio album is scheduled for release in 2019.

Underwood is married to former NHL player Mike Fisher. They have one son together.

Why She’s Important

Carrie Underwood is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She rose to prominence after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was released in October 2005 and quickly became certified Platinum. Underwood has since released five more studio albums and has accumulated 27 number one singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, 17 of which she co-wrote. She is the only female artist to have all her first seven studio albums reach Platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her success on the Country Airplay chart makes her tied with Reba McEntire for having the most number-one singles by a female artist on that chart.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. Often referred to as The Queen of Country, she is known for her catchy songs and unique style.

Biography

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut with Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967. With steady success during the remainder of the 1960s (both as a solo artist and with a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner), her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Parton’s albums in the 1990s sold less well but did produce some singles that were successful outside North America. She resumed commercial release in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000.

Parton’s hits include “9 to 5”, “Jolene”, “Coat of Many Colors”, and “I Will Always Love You”. A recipient of multiple awards including Grammy Awards (seven), Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. She has received 47 Grammy nominations through the years. In 2004 she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Country Music Association Awards. In 2012 she won Album of The Year at the Americana Music Honors & Awards for Better Day and was nominated for five Grammy Awards; winning Best Country Album and Best Country Song (“From Here to The Moon and Back”).

Why She’s Important

Dolly Parton is an important figure in country music for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, she is a singer and songwriter of immense talent; over the course of her career, she has composed more than 3,000 songs, including hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Secondly, she is a businesswoman of considerable acumen, who has successfully ventured into diverse fields like television, film, and theme parks. Finally, Parton is known for her philanthropy; she has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes over the years. In sum, Dolly Parton is a remarkable individual who has made an indelible mark on the world of country music.

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band, on local radio shows, and in rodeos. She gained attention after releasing her first single, “I Don’t Wanna Be a One Night Stand”, in 1976.

Biography

Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is an American country singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She began her career in the music industry as a high school student singing in the Kiowa High School band, on local radio shows with her siblings, and at rodeos. While a sophomore in college, she performed the National Anthem at the National Rodeo in Oklahoma City and caught the attention of country artist Red Steagall who brought her to Nashville, Tennessee to record. She signed a contract with Mercury Records a year later in 1975. She released her first solo album in 1977 and released five additional studio albums under the Mercury label until 1983.

McEntire’s first husband was also her manager, leading fellow country artist Barbara Mandrell to suggest that McEntire fire him. In 1988, she transferred to MCA Nashville Records where she released eleven studio albums between 1988 and 2003. Six of these albums were certified Platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). McEntire has since released twenty-one studio albums total on various labels including Valory Music Co., Columbia Nashville and Big Machine Records. Her albums have produced fifty-seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart; thirty of which made into the Top Ten: “Can’t Even Get the Blues”, “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia”, “One Promise Too Late”, among others.

During this period number one hits included “(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven”, “I’ll Always Love You” (a duet with LINDA DAVIS), “Take It Back”, “Till You Love Someone Else”, “The Last One To Know”, “‘Til I Loved You” (a duet with Don Johnson), “Cathy’s Clown” (a cover of The Everly Brothers song), among others.

Why She’s Important

The country music industry is one that has been notoriously difficult for women to crack. Historically, the top country music artists have been overwhelmingly male, with female artists often receiving less radio play and attention than their male counterparts. However, there have been a number of female country music singers who have made a significant impact on the genre, and Reba McEntire is one of the most important.

Reba McEntire is a country music legend, with a career that spans decades. She has released over 30 albums, and has had numerous hit singles, many of which have topped the country charts. She is a multiple Grammy Award winner, and has also won countless other awards throughout her career. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Reba McEntire is also an accomplished actor, with roles in movies and television shows such as “The Year Without a Santa Claus” and “Malibu Country.”

Reba McEntire has been a tireless advocate for women in country music, and has been instrumental in helping to break down barriers for female artists in the genre. She has always been supportive of other female artists, and has helped to promote newcomers through her radio show and social media platforms. In 2019, she launched the “Reba Center stage” initiative to help promote up-and-coming female country artists.

Rebа MсEntire is аn icon in the world оf cоuntry music, аnd her influence cаn still be felt today. She is аn inspiration tо wоmen everywhеre, аnd her cоntributiоns tо thе gеnrе hаve bеen invaluable.

Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter with multiple gold albums. Lynn is known for her honky-tonk-influenced vocals and her songwriting which often addresses hard topics such as adultery and divorce. She has had several number one hit songs throughout her career including “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “One’s on the Way”.

Biography

Loretta Lynn (née Webb; born April 14, 1932) is an American country music singer-songwriter with multiple gold albums over a career of almost 60 years. She is famous for hits such as “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” “One’s on the Way,” “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind),” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter” along with the 1980 biographical film of the same name.

Lynn has received numerous awards and other accolades for her groundbreaking role in country music, including awards from both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music as a duet partner and an individual artist. She is the only female ACM Artist of the Decade (1960s). Lynn was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983. Lynn has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1962.

Why She’s Important

Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter with multiple gold albums in a career spanning almost 60 years. She is famous for hits such as “One’s on the Way”, “Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ “, and “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Lynn has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Country Music Association’s Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award. She is also one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold more than 45 million records worldwide.

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