She is also an ardent supporter of animal rights organizations, such as PETA. There were plenty of issues, to be sure. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. 1 on the U.S. Behind the scenes in this era, producers like Chet Atkins played an important part in putting Nashville on the map by striving for a compromise between traditional country sounds and commercially-appealing pop. 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. Additional no. Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. 13 on the Top Pop Singles chart. The song reached no. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto. Carrie Underwood is an American singer-songwriter and one of the best female country music singers of all time. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. It reached no. Nina Simone 1. Also a humanitarian, Cash supports many charitable organizations like Children, Incorporated, which supports young adults and children. Lesley Gore 12. One of Woody Guthrie's most dedicated proteges, Ramblin' Jack earned his reputation as a tall tale teller and folk singer. Much progress had been made by the late '70s -- while punk rock was in some ways a throwback to rebellious '50s music and garage rock, this time around there was a place for women that didn't exist before. Hank Williams & Drifting Cowboys - Honky Tonkin' 3. Frank Sinatra soon joined the band and led them all to the top of theBillboardcharts for 12 weeks in 1940 with their version of Ill Never Smile Again., The group toured across the U.S. for three years, with Stafford making a solo recording on the side in 1941. She began her solo career in 1949, recording for a major label, Columbia Records. Stand By Your Man, the 1968 No. The artistry of their music tells another story and speaks -- or sings -- for itself. Well, no -- but was there a male Aretha Franklin? His songs are deeply personal narratives about life, and they've been performed by countless other artists. Later in his career, his songs became longer and more introspective and narrative. In 2014, she was named on Time magazine's list of100 most influential people in the world. 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. Her most famous singles are Right or Wrong and In the Middle of a Heartache.. The group later connected with young songwriter Carole King, who wrote their next hit One Fine Day with Gerry Goffin in 1963. She's also been a constant voice for peace and social justice. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. Brenda Lee 9. Dottie West was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018. Bessie Lee Mauldin: Mauldin (1920-1983) was Bill Monroe's bass player from 1953 to 1964 and co-wrote with him the bluegrass classic, A Voice from on High., Wanda Jackson: Often dubbed the Queen of Rockabilly, Jackson (b. Mainly known for her pop and country music, Patti Page topped the charts as one of the best 1950s female singers. 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. 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. 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. Among these were The Girl Most Likely, There Never Was a Time, Country Girl, Oh, Singer and Good Enough to Be Your Wife.. Joan Baez 7. She started off singing gospel and playing piano in church. The daughter of musician Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash followed in the footsteps of her father. 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 has received various accolades and awards in her very successful singing career spanning several decades and has composed over 3,000 songs. Dusty Springfield 4. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. His song "Wild World" has frequently been covered by artists of various genres. Her organization MuttNation Foundation works for rehabilitation of rescue animals. | Aside from being a master flat-picker, Doc Watson has helped inspire a number of other influential folk artists, including Bob Dylan. Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. In fact, the only musicians who have outsold Elvis are the Beatles. Other hits include Crazy and I Fall to Pieces.. She hasn't stopped pushing the envelope sinceand is still releasing excellent records. Menu. His gritty voice and dark, dirty songs have almost a punk-rock sensibility. He had a very low bass voiceand was renowned for bringing some classic African-American spirituals like "Go Down Moses" to national and international attention. 5. The Weavers spun off from the earlier group the Almanac Singers, in which Pete Seeger and Lee Hays were core members. An exhibit about their life is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum through August 2. However, Days breakthrough hit didnt come until 1955, when she starred as singer Ruth Etting in Love Me Or Leave Me., She also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for Sentimental Journey, Secret Love, and Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera).. Jeannie Seely: A gifted singer and songwriter, Seely (b. He also became an active force in the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s. Hits: Be My Baby, Baby, I Love You, Walking in the Rain. One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. Her first no. 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. 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. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. The evolution of the genre in the 1950s was perhaps best captured at the Opry, where it wasnt uncommon to see honky-tonk, bluegrass, and rockabilly artists perform in succession of each other. In the 1950s, she made regular appearances in movie musicals. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Laura Nyro 17. Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s. The group released their first and only album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964. Little Miss Dynamite, as she was early known, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Apart from her entertainment career, Moore is a known philanthropist who endorses the philosophy of effective altruism. The Jewels - Opportunity. 1 single Somebody Else Is Taking My Place was released in 1942, quickly followed by Why Dont You Do Right? a year later, which sold over a million copies, spurring her to stardom. 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. Throughout history, there have been many women country singers who have made significant contribution to the field. John Prine is often hailed as one of the best narrative songwriters of his generationand has been compared to fellow great songwriters Paul Simon, Loudon Wainwright, and James Taylor. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995. Her 1938 rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket brought them into the spotlight. 21 Best 50s Female Singers. Betty Jack was killed in a car wreck that same year, after which Skeeter moved on as a solo act. But dwarfing these early successes were the hits they wrote for the Everly Brothers, among these Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie and All I Have to Do Is Dream. Then in 1968 came their insanely infectious Rocky Top, first a hit for the Osborne Brothers and, in time, a staple for every bluegrass banjo player who ever lived. After the show went off the air, Francis signed up with a record company to no immediate avail. The 2023 version of "The Exorcist" is a fresh interpretation of the horror classic that will be released in theaters on Oct. 13. Also known for her philanthropic activitiesTrisha Yearwood has been supporting Habitat for Humanity, a charity home building group, for many years now. Their songs captured a moment in time, of naivete and love and loss and remain classics today. A multi-talented personality, Kramer is also known for her skills as a dancer; she finished fourth after competing in the popular dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars in 2016. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. LaVern BakerConnie FrancisBrenda LeeDinah WashingtonDella ReeseAretha FranklinEtta JamesKaren CarpenterDusty SpringfieldPatti LabelleMore items 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the song was a response to Hank Thompsons Wild Side of Life and set the trend for answer songs. Hits: Mr. WebHer and Bob Regan made good music together. In a long career that terminated tragically in a car accident in 1991, West charted 63 singles. ], Carmel by the Sea / The Man I Used to Know, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkiJgm6MWA8, When Two Worlds Collide / I Want to Be Where You're Gonna Be, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rww6Sqqzi4g, I Still Believe in Love / Life's That Way, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRnli0d-Gas, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQkm3I2BNgo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vlZjLUkd9s, Keeping Up With the Joneses / No Thanks, I Just Had One, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSphfySIfKw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9iLt8sXbu4, My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy / 'Til Death Do Us Part, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDcoKbX_zBM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o02f4ArNcWA, The French Song (Quand le soleil) / Sit Down and Write a Letter to Me, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35WLFvVL2Sg. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. Lynn also had many successful duet hits, first with Ernest Tubb, and later with Conway Twitty. Nashville, Tennessee 37219. 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. After winning a 1949 contest on Arthur Godfreys radio program, the quartet became a regular fixture on the show and recorded their debut album Harmony Time in 1950. Pictured (L-R): Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton. Only members can comment. Their tune "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" became a country-folk standard in the late '20s. Originally called The Starlets, The New Jersey trio of The Angels first formed in 1958 and became best known for their 1963 hit My Boyfriends Back., Hits: My Boyfriends Back, I Adore Him, Til. Trisha Yearwood is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, author, and celebrity chef. 1. After winning a talent contest when she was only 15, she began to perform in clubs. He's also become a star of the big screen, lending his talents to more than 50 films. This position brought her a visit from Lionel Hampton, who provided Washington with the opportunity to be the female vocalist in his band and perform at the Chicago Regal Theater. The Glories - I Stand Accused (Of Loving You) The Simon Sisters - Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod. Tim McGraw Teases New Music, "Standing Room Only", Tim McGraw: "New single 'Standing Room Only' coming March 10th. He's easily one of the most influential artists in the genre, and one of the most gifted instrumentalists. Townes Van Zandt could be considered one of the best songwriters of all time. Sign-Up For Our Newsletter. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. Even though he'd been playing music his whole life, Shindell didn't start making waves in the folk world until Joan Baez picked up three of his songs for her 1997 album. Hits: Please Mr. Postman, Beechwood 4-5789, Dont Mess With Bill, Playboy. In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher. Billboardawarded her the most popular female vocalist in 1955, 1956, and 1957. But the blockbusters came soon after that, with Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad, My Elusive Dreams (a duet with David Houston), and the Grammy-winning I Don't Wanna Play House.. 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! Carole King, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Loretta Lynn all wrote songs from the heart about love and life, and became commercial successes in the process. Lees career as a singer, songwriter, and actress spanned six decades. Her top hits were My Heart Cries For You and Sweet Violets, both reaching no. Another hit, Choon Gum, made the top 20 in 1950. 1 that Wynette and Sherrill co-wrote, won a Grammy for best female vocal and was later installed into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The scene was shifting and the female voice was getting more airplay and beginning to dominate the charts. Next: Top female singers of all time list (our choices). WebSera Cahoone; Cam; Ashley Campbell; Laura Cantrell; Irene Cara; Lindsey Cardinale; Brandi Carlile; Paulette Carlson; Kim Carnes; Mary Chapin Carpenter; Jenny Lou Carson Debby Boone is an American singer, actress, and author. Eventually, she would gravitate more toward country tunes, finding better success in that genre. 1 in 1964, sold more than one million copies, and led the way for the groups continued hits throughout the 60s like People Say, You Should Have Seen the Way He Looked at Me, Little Bell, and Iko Iko., Hits: Chapel of Love, People Say, Iko Iko, Addressing all the teen drama and more tragic scenarios of youth, the New York City-bred pop group The Shangri-Las had more edge but still embodied the youthful strains of love and heartbreak with No. WebThe list includes many familiar and great female country singers such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain.The women country singers featured in this list are from United States, United Kingdom, Canada & Australia and many more countries. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. Listen live to the station that made us famous: WSM, broadcasting since 1925! 1's in a chart history that extended into 1979. 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. She had three more no. 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. The top 50 folk artists of all time, in alphabetical order. Together, they created Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Song Book, the first of eight songbooks Fitzgerald recorded at Verve from 1956 to 1964. With a career enduring more than 40 years, Julie London was a well-known torch singer and actress. In 1955, despite music trends moving toward rock and roll and Carson being a pop singer, she managed a no. She gained fame with her first hit, Sentimental Journey, which became a sort of anthem during World War II. She was initially heard by agent Richie Lisella, who soon had her signed with London Records. Although she passed away in 1962, Monroes stardom lives on. With their prodigious instrumental skills, the trio blended jazz, folk, rock, and bluegrass on originals and covers alike. WebSeven artists appear twice: Bing Crosby, as the "friend" of Gary Crosby (#28) and with Grace Kelly (#50); Perry Como, with Eddie Fisher (#52) and Betty Hutton (#77); Tony Martin, with Dinah Shore (#53) and Fran Warren (#83); Red Foley, with Kitty Wells (#36) and Ernest Tubb (#44); Marvin Phillips, with Johnny Perry (#64) and Jesse Belvin (#100); She is also the Community Manager for the folk music magazine NoDepression. 1 songs include Endless Love, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and When You Tell Me That You Love Me.. Wynonna Judd is an American country music singer. 4 on the U.S Pop chart. Many have credited the Weavers with helping to fuel the folk revival that followed their success and subsequent blacklisting during the McCarthy era. 2 in 1958. The music of the Carter Family helped inspire folks like Bob Dylan. However, she didn't reach No. Afterward, in 1947, she signed with Mercury Records as their first thriving female singer. Subscribe for updates, events, offers and more. A vivid and forceful songwriter, Lynn composed many of her best-known songs, beginning with I'm a Honky Tonk Girl, her first chart record, in 1960. Female Country Singers: The Top 45 Singers of All Time - Wide After a falling out with Dorsey, everyone seemed to go their own way. The group released hits Baby, I Love You, (The Best Part of) Breakin Up, Walking in the Rain, and Be My Baby, all christened by Ronnie Spectors tender and tough vibrato. In the last 40 years, he's released more than 50 recordsand has become a rather respected songwriter in the realm of protest song. Among Shepard's Top 5 hits were Satisfied Mind and Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar). In 1960 she married singer Hawkshaw Hawkins, who, three years later, was killed in the plane crash that took Patsy Cline's life. In 1993, she joined Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton for the album Honky Tonk Angels. WebThis is a list of American female country singers . 1 on theBillboardHot 100. Born as Clara Ann Fowler in Oklahoma in 1927, Patti Page was known as the top-charting and best-selling female singer in the 50s, selling at least 100 million records Last but certainly not least, we added probably one of the most famous 1950s female singers. The Poppies - Lullaby of Love. favorites: Heartaches by the Number, Lonely Street 28 Billie Jo Spears Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. Though her solo career was phenomenal, her collaborations with trumpeter Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots formed some of her most famous hits, including Dream a Little Dream of Me, Cheek To Cheek, and Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall. The singer won 13 Grammy Awards along with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 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 Sandman, Lollipop, Born to Be With You. He was an activist and a songwriter, a Merchant Marine, and a former member of a barbershop quartet. Many of them have become as much a part of the Great American Songbook as those written by Ira Gershwin or Johnny Mercer -- classics such as Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, Jolene and 9 to 5, the theme from her 1980 movie of the same name. Cline's singles continued to chart intermittently until 1999. Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. Liams lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. Patti Page: Best known for her 1950 crossover hit, The Tennessee Waltz, Page (1927-2013) charted various other country singles through 1982, including the 1972 Top 20 duet with Tom T. Hall, Hello We're Lonely. Her recording of The Tennessee Waltz was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Just as Patsy Cline had mentored her career, Lynn did the same for her younger sister, who achieved fame as Crystal Gayle. She led the fund drive for building the original Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, was instrumental in creating the annual CMA Awards Show, which launched in 1967, and oversaw Fan Fair, which started in 1972 and has since morphed into the CMA Music Festival. She gained fame with her 1957 release And That Reminds Me, which sold millions and made the Top 20 pop hits chart. Vote for Your Favourite Female Country Singers 1 Taylor Swift In 1967, Berry Gordy changed the group name toDiana Ross & the Supremes and in the years that would follow, the Supremes underwent more lineup changes before parting ways in 1977. This is dedicated to the one I love, said Coley as she accepted the award before singing The Shirelles 1964 hit Soldier Boy with Owens and Lee. 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. Michael Franti has become known for his electrifying live performances that can feel more like a peace rally than a standard music concert. Female Singers of the '60s: Top 20 Greatest Artists We Love Aretha Franklin. Sitting at the top of our list of the greatest female singers of the '60s, Aretha Franklin was the real "Queen of Soul." Nina Simone. Although the nickname "The High Priestess of Soul," Nina Simone wasn't tied down by any musical genres. Etta James. Shirley Bassey. Dusty Springfield. Janis Joplin. Dionne Warwick. Joan Baez. Cass Elliot. More items 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. The 50 best singer/songwriters, artists, and bands in the history of American folk music, from the 1940s through the 60s until today. 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. 1 and stayed there for a remarkable eight weeks. But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. Ranked the 30th best Hot 100 artist of all time byBillboard,she also received a Special Tony Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. One club owner was impressed enough to hire her. Janis Joplin 5. 10 and won a Grammy, making her the first female Grammy winner in country music history. Earle's brand of country-folk protest music sets him apart from his peers. Here are some more great female folk singers from the 1970s: Joan Baez Judy Collins Sandy Denny Janis Ian Emmylou Harris Odetta Vashti Bunyan Buffy Sainte-Marie Linda Ronstadt Judee Sill Female Disco Singers of the 70s People often mistake disco for a mans world, but that couldnt be further from the truth. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. John Gorka's literary, poetic folk songs are among some of the most well-written around these days. Shes the only female vocalist with no. A contemporary and close friend of Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark is best known and appreciated for his deeply narrative story-songs. It's a fool's game to try to rank these groundbreaking women in order of their importance or influence. But it was sufficient to earn her Grand Ole Opry membership in 1953, a niche she occupied until her death. Dylan's songwriting has spanned every nook and cranny of Americana, from the blues to folk to rock and roll, and his influence has been felt through every strain of American music. Her voice is an extraordinary soprano, and she's played everything from classic traditional songs to the work of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. Ernest Tubb - Waltz Across Texas 5. 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. Site Map | Her first hit, Walking After Midnight, came in 1957 and was followed by such standards-in-embryo as I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and She's Got You.. WebThe Bermudas - Donnie. 2023 Opry. After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. On top of She also made her public debut as a soloist at New Yorks Hotel Astir the following year. She also recorded the infamous holiday song Baby, Its Cold Outside alongside Buddy Clark in 1949. The academy inducted her version of You Belong to Me and The Pied Pipers Ill Never Smile Again into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Singing since their teens, the trio was first known as The Darling Sisters and changed their name to The Ronettes after signing toPhil SpectorsPhilles Records in 1963. Jana Kramer is an American singer and actress who was adjudged Top New Female Artist at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards. In 1945, her career took flight with a scat recording of Flying Home. When she reached a point of stagnation with her music, she turned to a new manager, Norman Ganz, who developed Verve records around her. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. Her hits include I Can Dream, Cant I?, Too Young, and Kiss of Fire..