The most iconic female country singers ever -

Indeed, what makes country so accessible is its unashamed lyrics about heartbreak, loss, and nostalgia. They say every country singer had to fall in love every time they wanted to write an album, and it's not surprising. Whether it's to ease the soul, or you're just curious about those famous country rhythms, female country singers are an important part of any musical education.

From Dolly Parton to Faith Hill, this gallery covers popular contemporary names as well as the original country queens. Click on to discover more!

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Dolly Parton -

Of course, we had to start with the Queen of Country Music. Dolly Parton is one of 12 children and grew up in difficult circumstances. Nevertheless, she fought her way to an incredible career.

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Loretta Lynn -

The late Loretta Lynn won three Grammy Awards during her extensive career. Her biggest hits include 'Coal Miner's Daughter' and 'Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'.' She even released an album produced by Jack White of The White Stripes. She passed away on October 4, 2022, at the age of 90.

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Patsy Cline -

Patsy Cline is one of the most iconic country music singers ever. She paved the way for female artists in Nashville and wrote the brilliant song 'She's Got You.' If you want a musician to help you enter the world of female country music, go down the Cline route.

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Tammy Wynette -

Tammy Wynette tragically died at the young age of 55 in 1998, but made a reputation for herself as the "First Lady of Country Music" in the '80s because of her great style and beautiful voice.

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Reba McEntire -

Country runs through McEntire's veins. Her father and grandfather were famous steer ropers, and her mother sang. She practiced during college and then hit the big time when she signed with Mercury Records. Soon after she released her first single ‘I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand.'

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Kitty Wells -

Kitty Wells was born in the heart of country music in Nashville. The best of her career was in the '60s and '70s, but her songs remain gems for country fans. Her most popular song is 'It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.'

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Emmylou Harris -

Harris is an icon of country music. She has won 14 Grammys as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The song 'Boulder to Birmingham' brought her widespread fame, and she has worked with artists such as Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits and Nick Cave.

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Crystal Gayle -

Famous for her floor-length hair and hit song ‘Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,’ Gayle is also the younger sister of Loretta Lynn. She has worked in the pop and country genres, but has a real talent for ballads.

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Barbara Mandrell -

Could there be a better title than 'I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool?' We think not. This country star was singing from five years old and has had many no. 1 hits including 'Sleeping Single in a Double Bed.'

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Patty Loveless -

Loveless rose to fame in the '80s because of her traditional honky tonk style. She is also cousins with Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle, so country runs in her blood!

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The Judds -

With a real feminine touch, this mother and daughter duo dominated the country scene in the '80s. Their voices are silky and empathetic towards the tougher times in a woman’s life. Wynonna Judd, the daughter of the duo, now has a solo career. Naomi Judd sadly passed away in April of 2022. 

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Connie Smith -

Originally a housewife in Ohio, Smith was picked up as a serious talent when she was heard by a fellow country musician. Often considered underrated, she never fully exploited her gift because she wanted to dedicate more time to her family and religion.

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Tanya Tucker -

Full of character and energy, Tucker is considered a legend in the country music scene. She has a large discography including covers of all the great country tunes.

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Trisha Yearwood -

While Yearwood has spent three decades as a successful singer, she has now turned her talents to cooking with the show 'Trisha's Southern Kitchen.' Put her on your speaker, choose one of her recipes, and you're in for a very country style evening.

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The Dixie Chicks -

The band is actually now known as The Chicks. They are probably the most influential country girl band of our age and are still performing! Their cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Landslide' is a popular record worldwide.

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Faith Hill -

Faith Hill has sold over 30 million albums and is considered one of the most popular female singers of our time. Her romantic songs tug at the heart strings–they are brilliant breakup ballads.

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Shania Twain -

'Man! I Feel Like a Woman!' may not seem like a country song, but Twain kept the country brand. In the '90s she was the first musician to bring country music to MTV, but was criticized for giving country music a bad name and using her sex appeal to sell records. Since then more and more fans have embraced this talented artist.

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Martina McBride -

Perhaps more known for her country pop material, McBride actually started as a traditional country singer and even produced an album dedicated to the honky tonk music style. She is better known for her '90s successes with 'Independence Day' and 'Valentine.'

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Gretchen Wilson -

Gretchen Wilson started singing from a young age while she grew up in a trailer park. She worked two jobs at the age of 20, but managed to keep performing. It paid off: she captured her audience with songs such as ‘Redneck Woman’ and ‘Here for the Party.’

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Alison Krauss -

Alison Krauss was a child prodigy and rose to fame with the help of her fiddle. She mixes the genres of country, bluegrass, and folk to create a unique sound that is now widely acclaimed.

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Miranda Lambert -

A more contemporary singer is Miranda Lambert, a Texan who at a fairly young age already released more than half a dozen albums and received the most revered country music awards. Her song 'The House That Built Me' won her the Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the Grammys.

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Carrie Underwood -

Carrie is the 2005 winner of 'American Idol.' She has surprised everyone with the breadth of her musical talent. Her music has a distinctive country twang, but could also fall in the pop and rock genres. She has also sold over 70 million records.

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Kacey Musgraves -

Musgraves has really brought country back into the mainstream without completely abandoning the hallmarks of country music. Her album ‘Golden Hour’ won her international praise, and she is now one of the most listened to artists worldwide.

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Lee Ann Womack -

Womack started out as a country singer but became more poppy with her famous song 'I Hope You Dance.' Later on, she returned to traditional country music with the album 'There's More Where That Came From.'

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Rosanne Cash -

Rosanne Cash's career is diverse, incorporating different genres into her country style music. A great songwriter, Rosanne Cash has earned her place in the top country music singers independently of her father’s (Johnny Cash) career.

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Sara Evans -

One of seven children, Evans spent her youth singing in her family band. She has adopted a neo-traditionalist approach to country, appealing to contemporary audiences. Her song ‘A Little Bit Stronger’ is a huge hit.

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Anne Murray -

Canadian-born Anne Murray combined pop with soft country to make music that is easy on the ears and emotional. After the '80s, her style of country was no longer popular so she changed genre, but her earlier country songs are definitely worth listening to.

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Linda Ronstadt -

Linda Ronstadt has a truly beautiful voice. She is known for being experimental, incorporating traditional Mexican melodies and pop into her country songs. And it works! Her velvety tones are well worth a listen to.

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LeAnn Rimes -

Rimes broke onto the popular music scene with her song ‘How Do I Live,’ which is regarded as one of the top 100 songs ever made by Billboard magazine. Beneath the ballad style there is an undeniable hint of country from her former days when she recorded her debut album ‘Blue’ (1996).

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Taylor Swift -

One of the biggest pop stars on the planet, it's still no surprise that Taylor Swift started out as a country singer. Her artful storytelling and catchy melodies are inspired by music from Shania Twain and Dolly Parton.

Sources: (Taste of Country) (Grammy Awards)

See also: The greatest male country singers of all time

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