The group released their first and only album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964. Subscribe for updates, events, offers and more. Ella Fitzgerald. Sign up to receive our communications, please fill in the following fields and hit submit. June Carter Cash: As the daughter of Maybelle Carter, one of country music's founding mothers, the former wife of country star Carl Smith and later the wife and singing partner of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash (1929-2003) was as close as it comes to being country music royalty. 4 on the U.S Pop chart. She wouldnt be recognized for her vocals until she performed in an L.A. jazz club in early 1955. There are some exceptions- the work of Patsy Cline, Bobby Gentrie, and Loretta Lynn have achieved lasting renown- but overall the women on this list receive few plaudits these days. Despite a number of songs in her repertoire prior, Clines first big hit was Walkin After Midnight, which peaked at No. The group later had their breakout hit Mr. Sandman in 1954, which hit No. One of the most decorated female country singers of her generation, Judd was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame for her contribution to music. Next: Top female singers of all time list (our choices). While the man who would later become known as The King had a hard time catching a break in Nashville, one rockabilly artist signed under the same record label would capture the hearts of country enthusiasts and rock n roll fans alike: Johnny Cash. Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. Songs like Your Cheatin Heart and Im So Lonesome I Could Cry earned Williams the nickname of Hillbilly Shakespeare. Decades after his untimely passing at the height of his fame in 1953, Williams remains as one of the most fabled icons the genre has ever known. Yusuf Islam) was one of the most influential folk singer/songwriters of the 1970s. Hits: Dedicated to the One I Love, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Mama Said, Baby Its You, Soldier Boy, Foolish Little Girl. Navigation. Her voice is an extraordinary soprano, and she's played everything from classic traditional songs to the work of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. As prominent as women were during this fruiful period, better days were still to come. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Her elegant voice was only part of her legacy. Liams lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. She blended country music with pop. Dionne Warwick 6. 1944) is most famous for writing two quirky hits, the puzzling Ode to Billy Joe, her recording of which now resides in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the explicit Fancy (Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy/and they'll be nice to you.). In fact, any set that offers Bob Wills' "New San Antonio Rose," Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You," Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line," Hank Williams' "Jambalaya In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. Only members can comment. Additional no. Opry House Emmylou Harris is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. After Webbs death, Fitzgerald took over as band leader while performing with the Benny Goodman orchestra and working on her own side project. Vote for Your Favourite Female Country Singers, (Pop Icon & One of the Best-Selling Musicians of All Time), (Singer-Songwriter and Actress, Primarily Known for Her Work in Country Music), (Singer Known for Her Album 'Come On Over'), (Country Singer-Songwriter Known for Her Hits You Ain't Woman Enough' and 'Fist City'), (One of the Most Popular Female Country Vocal Artists of the Late 20th Century), (Country Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her Albums: Kerosene, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and 'Platinum), (One of the Most Influential Vocalists of the 20th Century), (American Music Artist Who is Known as the First Lady of Country Music), (Filmmaker, Podcaster and Former Actress Best Known for Her Role as Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon Sitcom iCarly), (One of the Best-selling Artists, Who Starred in the Musical 'Grease'), (Country Singer, Five-Time Grammy Award-Winner), (Pop Artist who Has the Most US Billboard 200 Top-5 Albums in the 21st Century by a Female), (Country Music Singer Who Topped the Charts at age 13 for Her Single Blue), Country singer Kacey Musgraves has won six, (American Singer-Songwriter & Multi-Instrumentalist), (One of the Best Selling Pop, Rock Singer-Songwriter with Nine Grammy Awards), (One of the Most Successful Country Music Artists of All Time), Country music legend Faith Hill is best known for her hits, (Actress and Singer Best Known for Her Song 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'), (Country Pop Singer Known for Her Single 'Love Me Like You Mean It'), (Country Singer Best Known for Her Hit single She's in Love with the Boy), (Country Singer and Actress Known for Her Role as 'Alex Dupre' on the Television Series 'One Tree Hill'), (Country Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her 1977 Hit Single 'Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue'), Country-pop crossover singer Crystal Gayle is best known for her, (One of the Best-Selling Country Artists of All Time), (Country Singer-Songwriter Known for Her Breakout Single 'Seven Year Ache'), Model Barbi Benton is best known for her stint with, (Singer-Songwriter Known for Her 1960 Hit 'Im Sorry' and 1958s 'Rockin around the Christmas Tree'), Loretta Morgan, daughter of country singer George Morgan, began her career as a singer at age 13. She also happens to be a beloved old country music star. His classic, "What Did You Learn in School Today?" In 1938, the remaining members of The Stafford Sisters joined The Four Esquires and The Three Rhythm Kings to create an eight-piece ensemble called The Pied Pipers. 1 on theBillboardHot 100. He was a great fan of traditional music, and often performed traditional spiritual songs and the like in his performances with wife June Carter. The Best Female Country Singers Of 2020 1. Lindsay Ell. Lindsay Ell's debut official single 'Trippin on Us' became the most added song on country music radio in 2. Miranda Lambert. Miranda Lambert became the first female artist to win the 'Album of the Year' award twice at the 3. Gabby It reached no. The Bryants were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1991. 1944) put one single, One Step at a Time, on the country chart in 1957. He frequently pulls from the Wobbly (Industrial Workers of the World) songbook, and his live shows are peppered with as much silliness as serious protest songs. 1 in 1955, and a follow-up chart topper Lollipop which peaked at No. In both art and life, no other artist could hit on heartache and tragedy in quite the same way thatHank Williamsdid. Gillian Welch is definitely one of the most respected songwriters on the scene these days. 5. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. As musicians began to write their own tunes and lyrics,female songwriters rose to the challenge as well. Lees rise to fame took several years. It's still remarkable that Ben Harper hasn't blown up any bigger than he is. Although she really wanted to be a painter, Mitchell managed to pen some of the most memorable folk songs of the past 40 years, including the preservationist tune "Big Yellow Taxi.". She recorded her first single (which did not chart) when she was 12. Next: The best female singers from the 1970s (70s female singers). 20 Best Female Singers of the 60s 20. When she settled into life as a solo artist, she popped out hits like Side by Side, The Man Upstairs, Rock and Roll Waltz, and Wheel of Fortune, which was her biggest hit, reaching no. Sign-Up For Our Newsletter. Tim McGraw Teases New Music, "Standing Room Only", Tim McGraw: "New single 'Standing Room Only' coming March 10th. After a tough experience during adolescence and a rough start to her career, she took comfort in performing with Chick Webb And His Orchestra. Hits: Be My Baby, Baby, I Love You, Walking in the Rain. Their first chart-topper was Every Time Two Fools Collide, followed by All I Ever Need Is You. In 1980, she went No. Betty Clooney briefly touched stardom alongside her sister, Rosemary. is one of the best topical tunes about the American educational system. Doris Day. Since then, he's become a highly influential songwriter. Get up close to where country music stars and legendsmake history every week,live on the Opry. The Almanacs were really the first folk music supergroup and spun off into rather successful careers for Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Josh White, Burl Ives, and various other folks who made up the core of the group or who joined them on occasion. Her hits include I Can Dream, Cant I?, Too Young, and Kiss of Fire.. In a career spanning six decades, she has released multiple gold albums and has won Grammy Award thrice. She also has the distinction of having been the first Grand Ole Opry member to wear a miniskirt on stage -- although not without some grumbling from Opry management. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. Hits: Heat Wave, Dancing in the Street, Quicksand, Nowhere to Run, Produced by Phil Spector, The Crystals has a steady run of hits from 1961 through 1964 with Hes a Rebel, Uptown, Da Doo Ron Ron, Theres No Other (Like My Baby), Then He Kissed Me, andHes Sure the Boy I Love., Hits: Da Doo Ron Ron, Then He Kissed Me, Hes a Rebel, Ellie Greenwichhad originally written Chapel of Love forThe Ronettes, but the song was ultimately recorded by The Dixie Cups and produced by Phil Spector. A contemporary and close friend of Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark is best known and appreciated for his deeply narrative story-songs. Notoriously known for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was one of the most famous 1950s female singers and actresses. Shores legacy was honored with a dedicated street name in her hometown as well as a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. She remains the only woman to be a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Born out of Washington Heights, New York, Veronica Bennett(Ronnie Spector), her older sisterEstelle Bennett, and their cousinNedra Talley made up The Ronettes. Although they never again reached The Three Bells stature, they continued recording and touring until 1967. WebTop 100 Artists of the 50's based on sales, Billboard charts and airplay. She sang mostly pop and country songs. [Please note, duets which involve one male and one female performer have been included. He's written some of the most covered tunes in folk history. But it was sufficient to earn her Grand Ole Opry membership in 1953, a niche she occupied until her death. Apart from being a bandleader, a solo artist, and an interpreter of other artists' works, Harris is also an activist; since 1999, she has been conducting Concerts for a Landmine Free World, an annual benefit tour. 1/10 SLIDES Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a 2023 Opry. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. Singing seemed to be a family talent. She also helped define the Nashville Sound style associated with country music. His song "Wild World" has frequently been covered by artists of various genres. Stand By Your Man, the 1968 No. She is also an ardent supporter of animal rights organizations, such as PETA. Country music gave us memorable traditionalists like Ray Price and Faron Young, then saw an outlaw rebellion, with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings leading the Hits: Come See About Me, Stop! Her songs have been used in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" After finishing first multiple times in a contest, Starr received a 15-minute radio show. Probably the most prolific female songwriter of them all, Felice Bryant (1925-2003) and her fiddle-playing husband, Boudleaux, moved to Nashville in 1950 to work as full-time composers. Joan Baez is one of the most remarkable forces in American folk music. Due to his innovative blend of hard rock guitars with folky, rootsy lyrics and themes, Young has become one of the most influential artists in contemporary folk-rock. Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films. 2. 116 Rep. John Lewis Way North American singer, Elle King, made her mark in showbiz when her debut single Good To Be A Man was released in March 2012 as a digital download. Londons biggest hit was the blues-style jazz ballad, Cry Me A River, written by former classmate Arthur Hamilton. Olivia Newton-John's breathy voice and stunning beauty made her one of the biggest pop stars of the 1970s. During her peak, she gained recognition worldwide as the most successful female singer. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. Pop hits, country ballads, punk bangers and jazz standards, the best female singers' work is essential listening. Also known for her philanthropic activitiesTrisha Yearwood has been supporting Habitat for Humanity, a charity home building group, for many years now. Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Lee is the only female performer to be inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. The Poppies - Lullaby of Love. He's easily one of the most influential artists in the genre, and one of the most gifted instrumentalists. 1 in the U.S., selling more than one million copies. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. 1 hit Leader of the Pack, along with songs like Give Him a Great Big Kiss and Remember (Walking in the Sand)., Hits: Leader of the Pack, Remember (Walking in the Sand), I Can Never Go Home Anymore. The academy also inducted the songs Unforgettable, Teach Me Tonight, and What A Diffrence A Day Makes! into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Kris Kristofferson may be best known for writing Janis Joplin's huge hit "Me and Bobbie McGhee," but he's a favorite among fellow songwriters. 1945) sang Tom T. Hall's Harper Valley P.T.A. to No. The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most successful folk-pop groups of the '60s, and Mama Cass was one of the most notable female presences of the folk revival. In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher. Loretta Lynn is an American singer known for her groundbreaking contribution to country music. He almost doesn't warrant an explanation as to how and why he deserves to be on this list, but I'll give one, anyway. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live), Get Happy Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive, Teresa Brewer "Music! Her success also sky-rocketed with songs like Stupid Cupid, Dont Break the Heart That Loves You, and Everybodys Somebodys Fool.Francis turned into an international star, becoming the first non-European to earn the title of Europes most popular artist. As a result, Franti has inspired and motivated fans, critics and fellow songwriters to action through his work. Kelsea Ballerini will appear on Saturday Night Live this Saturday. Ernest Tubb - Waltz Across Texas 5. She has also worked in several movies and is a prolific songwriter. The group later connected with young songwriter Carole King, who wrote their next hit One Fine Day with Gerry Goffin in 1963. Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s. First lionized as a teen rock 'n' roll star, Brenda Lee (b. Sheryl Crow is an American musician, actress, and singer-songwriter. Notable artists include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bill Haley. WebSera Cahoone; Cam; Ashley Campbell; Laura Cantrell; Irene Cara; Lindsey Cardinale; Brandi Carlile; Paulette Carlson; Kim Carnes; Mary Chapin Carpenter; Jenny Lou Carson The music industry, like most occupational fields in history, had its own harmful gender roles, and the gist of it was that women were pretty singers and men were serious musicians. Next: The top Soprano singers of all time. 1955; 1956; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 60s; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 70s; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 80s; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 90s; Doris Day was an established singer and actress. Baby Jane and the Rockabyes - How Much is That Doggie in. Carrie Underwood is an American singer-songwriter and one of the best female country music singers of all time. He became so popular and influential that he managed to get his own U.S. postal stampnot something with which many folksingers have been honored. 2 in 1958. Her singing style helped influence several artists and musical genres. Her album Della and song You Gave Me Love received Grammy Award nominations, and she was honored with a Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Award in 2017. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Through his haunting, intuitive songwriting skills, Harper has certainly earned his place among the best folk artists of all time. Listen live to the station that made us famous: WSM, broadcasting since 1925! Her top hits were My Heart Cries For You and Sweet Violets, both reaching no. 1 and stayed there for a remarkable eight weeks. Like Kitty Wells' It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, A Dear John Letter topped the charts for six weeks. Bill Anderson, singer who is still a major songwriter of new hits In 2017, she was an active participant at the Los Angeles Women's March. | However, she didn't reach No. If we get 1,000 pre-saves on this today, I'll share a little bit of the song with you", Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles To Appear In New Version of "The Exorcist". Shepard was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. 2 on the pop charts. The women featured here are standouts in a number of genres. Because of this, she debuted in the film industry while still in high school in 1944s Nabonga.. Michael Franti has become known for his electrifying live performances that can feel more like a peace rally than a standard music concert. In the Name of Love, Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, I Hear a Symphony, You Cant Hurry Love, You Keep Me Hangin On, Love Child, Someday Well Be Together. CMT and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. The daughter of musician Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash followed in the footsteps of her father. Earle's brand of country-folk protest music sets him apart from his peers. She also performed at the infamous sixth and twelfth Cavalcade of Jazz concerts at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. The day after graduating from high school, she moved to Nashville. Joni Mitchell is revered for her poetic imagery and her lovely, soaring soprano. Besides her father, Ardens brother, Jan, was a singer. In the 1950s, country music continued to benefit from commercial success thanks to post-war prosperity. The Chiffons, originating in Bronx, New York, released their first single, Hes So Fine, which was written by Ronnie Mack and produced byThe Tokens(The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and hit No. She kicked off her career on NBCs Startime Kids variety show in 1953. Much like Odetta, often when you hear talk of Paul Robeson, you'll hear about his incredible voice. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. She even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The song also earned her a Grammy Award the following year. The 50 best singer/songwriters, artists, and bands in the history of American folk music, from the 1940s through the 60s until today. When she was 15, Rosemary Clooney decided to remain in her hometown in Kentucky with her father and sister while her mom and brother moved to California after their parents divorce. In 2014, she was named on Time magazine's list of100 most influential people in the world. Among these were The Girl Most Likely, There Never Was a Time, Country Girl, Oh, Singer and Good Enough to Be Your Wife.. But she would not return to the country rankings again until 1969, after which many hits would follow into the 1980s, such as her rendition of Kris Kristofferson's "Nobody Wins.". In response, Dobbins wrote the groups biggest hit Please Mr. Postman, which reached No. The Beatles were arguably the greatest group of the period -- but many would say that their biggest chart rival wasn't the Rolling Stones or the Beach Boys, but the Supremes. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revival and started her own record company, Wildflower Records. Staffords legacy in music, television, and radio is acknowledged by three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.