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A while ago we asked where all the female country music entertainers are. We asked because they seem to be having a hard time breaking through. In fact, only Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood have done so in recent years. Gone, it seems, are the days when female country singers ruled the airwaves. You can find our previous post here about female country singers.
These days, new female country music entertainers even have a harder time getting bookings for gigs and shows. However, we believe that talented country singers will soon breakthrough, just as the following singers did.
Top Female Country Music Entertainers Through the Decades.
Loretta Lynn
In 1953, Lynn’s husband, Oliver, bought her a $17 Gibson Guitar from Sears and Roebuck. She was self-taught, and encouraged by Oliver to play in local clubs. Then in 1960 Lynn released “Whispering Sea” and “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” to much fanfare. That year Lynn secured a deal with Decca Records, and was hailed by Billboard as one of the most promising country female artists. She released her first single, “Success,” two years later. It proved to be the first of several hits in succession, including “Before I’m Over You” and “Wine, Women and Song” in 1964; “Happy Birthday,” “Blue Kentucky Girl,” and “The Home You’re Tearing Down” in 1965; “Dear Uncle Sam” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)” in 1966; “Singin’ Again” in 1967; and “If we Put Our Heads Together” in 1969. Lynn has since gone on to superstardom. She even released another album, Wouldn’t It Be Great, last September showing how the old stars still remain popular.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is arguably the queen of country music. She made a name in country music in the late 1960s, with hits such as “Just Because I’m a Woman” and “In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).” But it was in the 1970s when Parton turned into a certified country superstar. She released numerous hits from 1971 to 1975. Most notable were “Joshua,” “Coat of Many Colors” (Parton’s signature song), “Touch Your Woman,” “I Will Always Love You” (remade by Whitney Houston years later) and “Jolene.” Parton has since become the biggest name in country music. Now 73 she is still going strong. She even embarked on a world tour in 2016 in support of her Pure & Simple album.
Bonnie Raitt
What Dolly Parton was to the 70s, Bonnie Raitt was to the 80s. Raitt broke through to the mainstream in 1977 with the release of her album, Sweet Forgiveness. It was in the 1980s, however, that Raitt achieved stardom. Raitt released in this decade the seminal Tongue and Groove and the critically acclaimed Nick of Time. She built on her success in the 80s and has gone on to achieve superstar status in the decades thereafter. Part of that success is due to Raitt’s signature guitar sound, which got a boost thanks to a timely change in the equipment she was using. Fellow musician Lowell George introduced Raitt to the MXR Dyna Comp. Speaking to Guitar Player, Raitt explained how she asked George to tell her how he achieved his tone, to which he gave her the MXR compressor that she still uses to this day. The 69-year-old is still making music, and performing worldwide.
Reba McEntire
Like Lynn, Parton, and Raitt, McEntire’s success spans decades. The artist also known as Reba broke through in the late 80s, with albums such as Just a Little Love, Have I Got a Deal for You, What Am I Gonna Do About You, and Reba. McEntire continued to achieve success throughout the 90s, releasing several acclaimed albums, including For My Broken Heart (1991), It’s Your Call (1992), Read My Mind (1994), and Starting Over (1995). Reba remains a star to this day. Just last April, she released her 29th studio album, Stronger Than the Truth.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood first rose to fame in 2005 as a contestant in American Idol. Since then she has become one of the genre’s most successful acts. Her debut single, “Inside Your Heaven,” even debuted at number 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100. Her 2005 debut album, Some Hearts was a massive commercial and critical success, too. Underwood’s follow-up album, Carnival Ride was an even bigger hit, and proved that Oklahoman was no one-album wonder. She has since released five other albums, including her latest, Cry Pretty (released just last year). The guitar-playing former Idol hopeful has certainly come a long way. And if this list is any indication, Underwood figures to be around for another decade or two.
There are many other female country music entertainers that could be on this list. The 90s produced so many great female country music singers. There are a lot of fresh female country music artists making records today. TSE Entertainment is a proud supporter of female country music entertainers. We wish radio programmers would give them more opportunity to develop their fan base.
Exclusively written for TSEEntertainment.Com
By: Freya Evelyn
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