20 Most Talented Female Country Singers Of All Time

Dolly Parton. Photo By Kristopher Harris – Wikimedia

20 Most Talented Female Country Singers Of All Time

Country music is one of the most popular genres of music and it has been around for many years. Though mainly dominated by men, women are not left behind and they have been consistently delivering some of the most powerful and emotional performances in country music history.

Originating from the Southern and Southwestern United States, country music is associated with cowboy hats and boots. The music has many sub-genres but most country songs tell stories that are heartfelt and inspiring.

Women have a strong presence in the genre with singers like Patsy Cline, Linda Martell, and Dolly Parton among others paving the way. Here are the 20 most talented female country singers of all time.

1. Dolly Parton

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer and businesswoman who was born on 19th January 1946 in Pittman Center, Tennessee. Apart from singing, Dolly is also a songwriter, actress, and philanthropist.

Dolly was among the first musicians to blend country and pop music styles. She is talented and can play many instruments. She has been inducted into almost 20 halls of fame and even has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame.

With close to 50 studio albums since 1967, Dolly has received several awards and honors as a singer and also as a philanthropist. 

2. Rissi Palmer

Video Courtesy of YouTube

Rissi Palmer is a black country music artist. She was born on 19th August 1981 in Sewickley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her parents were natives of Georgia. Rissi always wanted to sing country and even rejected an R&B recording deal. 

Her song ‘Country Girl’ is an anthem that encourages people to be who they are and to overcome stereotypes. Rissi started the Color Me Country Artist Grant Fund to support underrepresented country music artists.

3. Mickey Guyton

Candace Mycale Guyton, professionally known as Mickey Guyton, is an American country music artist. She was born on 17th June 1983 in Arlington, Texas. Mickey began singing when she was five years old and her inspiration was LeAnn Rimes.

Guyton was exposed to various types of music when she was young and so her music has R&B, gospel, and pop elements in a country style. She often sings about her experience as a black woman. 

Mickey sang the National Anthem at the Super Bowl LVI in February 2022. Her songs include “Love My Hair”, “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?”, and “Better Than You Left Me.

4. Yola 

Yola. Photo By Roberta – Wikimedia

Yolanda Claire Quartey, professionally known as Yola or Yola Carter, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. She was born on 31st July 1983 to a Ghanaian father and a Barbadian mother in Bristol, England.

Yola was in a band for some years before she went solo after the death of her mother in 2013. I Don’t Wanna Lie, Diamond Studded Shoes, and Stand for Myself are some of her songs. She has won 5 UK Americana Awards so far. 

5. Patsy Cline 

Virginia Patterson Hensley was Patsy Cline’s given name at birth. She was an American country music singer who was born on 8th September 1932 in Winchester, Virginia. She was a self-taught piano player and she had a beautiful voice.

Patsy released 3 albums and another 3 were done after her passing. She has been honored severally, with a star on the Hollywood walk of fame and also inducted into the other halls of fame.

The is a museum in her honor and it shares a building with the Johnny Cash museum. Patsy died on 5th March 1963 in Camden, Tennesse, in a plane crash.

Here is a list of top country music singers.

6. Loretta Lynn

Loretta Webb Lynn was an American country music singer who was born in a musical family on 14th April 1932 in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. She was a talented singer that was mostly referred to as the Queen of Country music.

Loretta also owned the famous Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, which is not only the seventh largest attraction in the state but is also popular for hosting 3-holiday concerts hosted during Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July Weekend, and Labor Day Weekend.

She died on 4th October 2022 in Hurricane Mills, Tennesse, in her sleep at the age of 90 years.

7. Reba McEntire 

Reba McEntire. Photo By Gage – Wikimedia

Reba Nell McEntire is an American country music singer and actress. She was born on 28th March 1955 in McAlester, Oklahoma, in a musical family and she grew up on a ranch. 

‘I Don’t Want to Be a One Night Stand’, ‘I Don’t Want to Mention Any Names’, and ‘Just Like Them Horses’ are some of her songs. She has 32 studio albums. Reba has won many awards over the years and has acted in several films.

8. Tammy Wynette 

Virginia Wynette Pugh better known as Tammy Wynette was an American country music singer who was born on 5th May 1942 in Itawamba County, Mississippi. Tammy grew up on a cotton farm.

She was a talented singer who released 30 studio albums as a solo artist. The first album was in 1967 and the last one was in 1994. She worked on several albums with country singer George Jones who was her husband at some point. ‘What Do They Know’ is one of this singer’s songs.

Tammy died on 6th April 1998 in Nashville, Tennesse. Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery is her final resting place.

9. Trisha Yearwood

Trisha Yearwood. Photo By Chad J. McNeeley – Wikimedia

Patricia Lynn Yearwood, best known as Trisha Yearwood is an American singer who was born on 19th September 1964 in Monticello, Georgia. Trisha is also an actress, author, and television personality. 

‘She is in love with the Boy’ was among her first songs. Tisha is a talented musician who has earned several honors in her career. Another thing, she is a chef and she loves cooking southern meals and even has a cooking show on TV.

10. Tanya Tucker

Tanya Denise Tucker is an American country music singer who was born on 10th October 1958 in Seminole, Texas. Her family moved states frequently due to her father’s occupation. The country music singer has lived in Texas, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, and Tennessee among others.

Tanya started her career when she was young and has 25 studio albums and many non-album hit singles so far. She is also a songwriter and has won several awards over the duration of her career.

11. Linda Martell 

Linda Martell whose birth name is Thelma Bynem is an American singer who was born on 4th June 1941 in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. She grew up listening to country music and was among the first black women in country music.

‘Lonely Hours’, ‘You’re Crying Boy, Crying’, and ‘Before the Next Teardrop Falls’ are some of her songs. Linda helped shape the careers of many black country musicians.

Check out the list of black country singers here.

 12. Rosanne Cash

Video Courtesy Of YouTube

Rosanne Cash is an American country singer who is the eldest daughter of the famous singer, Johnny Cash. She was born on 24th May 1955 in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Rosanne worked as her father’s wardrobe assistant before she started singing first as a background vocalist and then soloist. She has released 14 studio albums so far, has won many awards, and even teaches poetry and songwriting programs at some universities.

This talented artist is also an activist and supports various human rights courses. Flat Top Box is one of her best songs.

Check out our list of the most popular country songs here.

13. Carrie Underwood

Carrie Marrie Underwood is an American country music singer who was born on 10th March 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Carrie grew up on a farm and she loved singing from when she was young.

This singer became famous when she won American Idol in 2005 which was a boost in her career. She has 9 studio albums so far and has sold millions of records so far.

She is a vegetarian and an animal rights activist. She is also an actress and a TV personality.

14. Faith Hill

Audrey Faith Perry McGraw, musically known as Faith Hill after retaining her first husband’s last name, is an American singer who was born on 21st September 1967 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. She was adopted as a baby and raised in a loving Christian household.

She started singing when she was very young. She has 7 studio albums and has sold millions of records worldwide. Faith is very talented and has been widely honored during her career.

This successful artist is married to a musician, Tim McGraw, and the couple has done an album together.

15. LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes. Photo By Yahoo – Wikimedia

Margaret LeAnn Rimes Cibrian is an American singer who was born on 28th August 1982 in Jackson, Mississippi. LeAnn, who grew up in Texas, is also a songwriter and actress who became famous at a young age. Her father was her first manager and producer but that didn’t end well.

This singer almost sounds like Patsy and she has close to 20 studio albums released. She has won multiple awards over the years and as an actress, she has been in over 10 movies.  

Here’s a list of famous singers from Dallas, Texas.

16. Sara Evans 

Sara Lynn Evans is an American country music singer and songwriter who was born on 5th February 1971 in Boonville, Missouri, in a musical family that formed a band called The Evans Family band. She is also a record producer, actress, and author.

The talented singer has a beautiful voice. I Could Not Ask for More, Suds in the Bucket, and Infinite Love are some of her songs. Sara has released 10 studio albums and has authored 5 books.

She has received several awards over the years and is an advocate for eating disorders though she’s never suffered from any. 

17. Gretchen Wilson

Country music singer Gretchen Wilson. Photo By Oscar Espinoza – Wikimedia Commons

Gretchen Frances Wilson is an American country music singer and songwriter who was born on 26th June 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois. This musician has won many awards over the years and has released 7 studio albums so far. 

She is an advocate for children’s rights, and adult education plus she also fights against obesity. Wilson also sponsors a women’s softball team from her home county. 

‘Redneck Woman, ‘Here for the Party’, and ‘All Jacked Up’ are some of her songs.

18. Barbara Mandrell 

Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer who was born on 25th December 1948 in Houston, Texas. She is an actress and has acted in many films plus TV shows. Barbara has also authored a book.

Though retired, Barbara is a talented all-round entertainer. She hosted TV shows back in the day and released close to 30 albums. She has received many awards over the years in all areas of entertainment. 

‘One of Us Is Always Leaving’, ‘Love by Any Name’, and ‘Using Him to Get To You’ are some of her songs.

19. Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack Liddell is an American country music singer who was born on 19th August 1966 in Jacksonville, Texas. Her interest in Music began at a young age and she even learned how to play the piano. 

This talented singer has sold millions of records worldwide and has 9 studio albums not forgetting the awards and honors she has received during her career. Lee Ann has a daughter, Aubrie Sellers, who is a country musician too.

20. Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson. Photo By Ben Childers – Wikimedia

Lainey Denay Wilson is an American country music singer who was born on 19th May 1992 in Baskin, Louisiana. She had an interest in country music since she was young.

Lainey has won awards in her musical career and has 4 studio albums so far. She looks up to Dolly Parton and Lee Ann Womack. 

These are some of the most talented female country music singers. There are many others not on this list, but they have all played an important part in making country one of the most entertaining genres of music in the world today.