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Best Female Country Singers (With Videos)

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I've been an online music writer for over 11 years. My favorite genre is country-western.

These great female country singers are sure to knock your boots off.

These great female country singers are sure to knock your boots off.

From Patsy Cline to Reba McEntire to the Dixie Chicks, women have made country-western music what it is today. There are so many women who have worked hard to rise to the top of the country-western charts. I've highlighted 14 favorites and added a few more who just have to be mentioned. I hope you enjoy this list and the accompanying videos as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

My hat goes off to all of you women of country music. Your hard work has paid off!

1. Patsy Cline

Born: September 8, 1932

From: Winchester, VA

Patsy Cline was one of the first female country singers. She is, without a doubt, a legend for all time. Patsy was born September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. Her real name was Virginia Patterson Hensley. Her big break in the country music world came in 1957 with the song "Walkin' After Midnight." In 1958, Patsy joined the Grand Ole Opry show in Nashville. When she was only 30, she died tragically in an airplane crash in 1963.

Patsy's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "I Fall to Pieces"
  • "Crazy"
  • "She's Got You"
  • "Sweet Dreams"

I go out walkin' after midnight

Out in the moonlight

Just like we used to do, I'm always walkin'

After midnight, searchin' for you (wa-wa-walking, wa-wa-walking)…

— Patsy Cline, "Walkin' After Midnight"

2. Loretta Lynn

Born: April 14, 1932

From: Butcher Hollow, KY

Loretta Lynn was born April 14, 1935, in Kentucky. She is best known as the "Coal Miner's Daughter." Just like Patsy Cline, Loretta is a legend among female Country music singers. She had her first hit in 1960, with the song "Honky Tonk Girl." By the 1970s, she was one of the richest women in country music. She is famous for many songs.

Loretta Lynn's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)"
  • "Before I'm Over You"
  • "Coal Miner's Daughter"
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Well, I was borned a coal miner's daughter

In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler

We were poor but we had love

That's the one thing that daddy made sure of…

— Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter"

3. Dolly Parton

Born: January 19, 1946

From: Locust Ridge, TN

Dolly Parton was born January 19, 1946, in Tennessee. As a young child, she sang in church and for a local radio station. She joined the Grand Ole Opry show at the age of 20, and her first success in Nashville was as a songwriter. In 1966, she had her first single, "Dumb Blond," and then (that same year) recorded "Something Fishy" and "Hello, I'm Dolly." Since then, she has gone on to make a big name for herself, both in the country music industry and as a comedic actress.

Dolly Parton's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "Jolene"
  • "9 to 5"
  • "I Will Always Love You"

4. Patty Loveless

Born: January 4, 1957

From: Pikeville, KY

Patty Loveless was born in Kentucky as Patty Lee Ramey on January 4, 1957. Her first hit single in the country music world was the 1985 recording, "Lonely Days and Lonely Nights." Her second hit single came a year later when she released "I Did." Patty went on to release her first album, Patty Loveless, on October 1, 1986. From there, she went on to produce many more albums.

Patty Loveless's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "Don't Toss Us Away"
  • "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye"
  • "You Don't Even Know Who I Am"

Where the sun comes up about ten in the mornin'

And the sun goes down about three in the day

And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'

And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away…

— Patty Loveless, "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive"

5. Suzy Bogguss

Born: December 30, 1956

From: Aledo, IL

Suzy was born December 30, 1956, in Illinois. She started singing in her hometown church and released her first singles in 1987: "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire," "Love Will Never Slip Away," and "Come as You Are." She went on to make many more successful albums. Bogguss owns her own record label, Loyal Dutchess.

Suzy Bogguss's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "Somewhere Between"
  • "Someday Soon"
  • "Outbound Plane"

So blow, you old Blue Northern, blow my love to me

He's ridin' in tonight from California

He loves his damned old rodeo as much as he loves me

Someday soon, goin' with him someday soon…

— Suzy Bogguss, "Someday Soon"

6. Reba McEntire

Born: March 28, 1955

From: McAlester, OK

Reba was born March 28, 1955, in Oklahoma. She had her first hit on the singles chart in 1976 with "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand." Her first album was called Reba McEntire and her second was Out of a Dream. Reba's Country music career has been very successful. Her album My Kind of Country brought her break-out success.

Reba McEntire's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "How Blue"
  • "Somebody Should Leave"

She said here's your chance Fancy don't let me down

Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Lord forgive me for what I do, but if you want out

Well it's up to you…

— Reba McEntire, "Fancy"

Faith Hill in 1998

Faith Hill in 1998

7. Faith Hill

Born: September 21, 1967

From: Ridgeland, MS

Faith was born Audrey Faith Perry on September 21, 1967, in Mississippi. She is one of the most successful country singers, male or female. Her first album, Take Me as I Am, was released in 1993. She released her second album, It Matters to Me, in 1995. From there, Hill went on to make her name in country music. Her first international hit was "The Kiss." Her 1999 album Breathe went platinum and remains one of the biggest-selling Country records of all time.

Faith Hill's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "There You'll Be"
  • "Mississippi Girl"
  • "Like We Never Loved at All"

Faith is married to country singer Tim McGraw and the couple has recorded several duets, including "I Need You" and "Shotgun Rider."

When I don't know what to say

Don't know what to do

Don't know if it really even matters to you

How can I make you see…

— Faith Hill, "It Matters to Me"

8. Shania Twain

Born: August 28, 1965

From: Windsor, Canada

Twain was born as Eileen Regina Edwards on August 28, 1965, in Windsor, Ontario. Her mother and father divorced and she was adopted by her stepfather, Jerry Twain. Her first album was called Shania Twain. She went on to release her second album, The Women in Me, in 1995. In 1997 she produced Come on Over, and in 2002 she released Up. In 2004, Twain released an album of greatest hits.

Shania Twain's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "Party of Two"
  • "Don't"
  • "I Ain't no Quitter"

In 2004, Twain retired from performing, explaining that her singing voice was weakening. But, after receiving treatment for vocal cord lesions, she returned to the stage in 2012 with a concert at Caesar's Palace.

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life

(You're still the one)…

— Shania Twain, "You're Still the One"

9. Trisha Yearwood

Born: September 19, 1964

From: Monticello, Georgia

Trish Yearwood's debut single, "She's in Love With the Boy," launched her to fame on the country-western charts. She has since released ten albums, including several number one singles.

Trisha Yearwood's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "Walkaway Joe"
  • "The Song Remembers When"
  • "Thinkin' About You"
  • "I'll Still Love You More"

Her daddy say's he ain't worth a lick

When it comes to brains

He got the short end of the stick

But Katie's young and man she just don't care…

— Trisha Yearwood, "She's In Love With the Boy"

10. Terri Clark

Born: August 5, 1968

From: Montreal, Canada

Terri Clark released her first album in 1995. Both that self-titled album and the two that followed (Just the Same and How I Feel) went platinum in both the U.S. and Canada.

Terri Clark's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "When Boy Meets Girl"
  • "If I Were You"
  • "Suddenly Single"

I could wash my car in the rain

Change my new guitar strings

Mow the yard just the same as I did yesterday

I don't need to waste my time crying over you…

— Terri Clark, "Better Things to Do"

11. Wynonna Judd

Born: May 30, 1964

From: Ashland, KY

Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s, singing with her mother Naomi in the country-western duo the Judds. Recording together, the Judds had 14 number one hits and recorded seven albums. As a solo artist, Wynonna dropped her last name. In 1992 she sang alone at the American Music Awards, performing "She Is His Only Need." The single jumped to number one on the Billboard country singles charts that year.

Wynonna Judd's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "I Saw the Light"
  • "My Strongest Weakness"
  • "No One Else on Earth"

Love can build a bridge

Between your heart and mine

Love can build a bridge

Don't you think it's time?

— Wynonna Judd, "Love Can Build a Bridge"

12. LeAnn Rimes

Born: August 28, 1982

From: Jackson, MS

LeAnn Rimes was a child star, rising to fame at the age of 13 for her recording of "Blue."

LeAnn Rimes's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "One Way Ticket (Because I Can)"
  • "The Cattle Call"
  • "The Light in Your Eyes"

You can try to resist

Try to hide from my kiss

But you know but you know

That you can't fight the moonlight…

— LeAnn Rimes, "Cant Fight the Moonlight"

13. The Dixie Chicks

From: Dallas, Texas

Years active: 1989–present

The Dixie Chicks are composed of Martie Erwin Maguire and Emily Erwin Robison (who are sisters), and lead singer Natalie Maines. Some early successes were the 1998 hits "There's Your Trouble" and "Wide Open Spaces." In 2003, the band openly denounced the U.S. invasion of Iraq. While many American country-western music lovers boycotted their albums after that, they released Taking the Long Way in 2007, which won that year's Grammy for Album of the Year. The single, "Not Ready to Make Nice," also won a Grammy that year.

The Dixie Chicks's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "There's Your Trouble"
  • "Wide Open Spaces"
  • "You Were Mine"
  • "Tonight the Heartache's on Me"
  • "I Can Love You Better"

Mary Anne and Wanda were the best of friends

All through their high school days

Both members of the 4H club, both active in the FFA

After graduation…

— Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye Earl"

14. Emmylou Harris

Born: April 2, 1947

From: Birmingham, AL

Emmylou Harris has won 13 Grammys over the course of her career. Her early recordings include the album Grievous Angel, recorded with Gram Parsons in 1973. She recorded with Hot Band to make the album Pieces of the Sky, which included a cover of Merle Haggard's "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down." In 1980, she recorded "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again" with Roy Orbison. That duo's recordings won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Emmylou Harris's Greatest Hits Include:

  • "Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down"
  • "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again"
  • "For no One"

I heard the train

In the Tulsa night

Calling out my name

Looking for a fight…

— Emmylou Harris, "Tulsa Queen"

Female Country-Western Singers: The List Goes On

There are so many amazing female country-western singers! Thank you to all of you who have sent me names that were not on my list. Please send me and I will try to include them! Here are some of the great female singers you have mentioned in the comments.

Amazing Female Country-Western Singers

  • Carrie Underwood
  • Sara Evans
  • Lee Ann Womack
  • Martina McBride
  • Barbara Mandrell
  • Dottie West
  • Lynn Anderson
  • Janie Fricke
  • Anne Murray
  • Crystal Gayle
  • Kitty Wells
  • KD Lang
  • Bonnie Raitt

Well, I was borned a coal miner's daughter

In a cabin, on a hill in Butcher Holler

We were poor but we had love

That's the one thing that daddy made sure of

He shoveled coal to make a poor man's dollar

— Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter"

Help Me Add to This List!

Lynn Anderson,Minnie Pearl ,June Carter,Patsy Montana. Pam Tillis,Tammy Wynette, on May 22, 2018:

I like Country and Western Music that has rhythm and melody that come from the Heart.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on February 24, 2015:

Awesome list. I agree with you. Rock on and voted up!

wyldrabbit on June 16, 2014:

Female Country Artists

Abbi Scott

Abby Parks

Adrienne Leopold

Aimee Pettersen

Alecia Nugent

Alee

Aleyce Simmonds

Ali Dee

Alison Kraus

Alison Brown

Allison Moorer

Aly Cook

Amanda Martin

Amanda Nagurney

Amanda Stott

Amanda Williams

Amber Lawrence

Amber Leigh

Amber Rhodes

Amy Dalley

Amy Rose

Andra Suchy

Andrea Pearson

Angel Rattay

Angela Dodson

Angela Easterling

Angela Harris

Angela Peterson

Angela Siracusa

Angie palmer

Ann-Marita

Ann Pascoe

Anne McCue

Anne Murray

April Taylor

Ashley Ray

Ashliegh Lisset

Audry Auld

Barbara Fairchild

Barbara Mandrell

Beccy Cole

Becky Schlegel

Bethany LaPrade

Bonnie Bishop

Bonnie Stewart

Brandi Thornton

Breanne Urban

Brenda Lee

Brenda Taylor

Bridgette Tatum

Brigitte London

Britni Hoover

Brynn Marie

Callaghan

Candi Carpenter

Candy Coburn

Carla Williams

Carlene Carter

Carly Pearce

Carolann 'B'

Caroline Herring

Carrie Underwood

Casey Jamerson

Casey Thompson

Casey Watt

Catherine Britt

Charlie Barker

Chelsea Musick

Chely Wright

Cheryl K. Warner

Cheryl Wheeler

Chris Mercer

Chris O’Connell

Christi BauerLee

Christine Marie

Christy Sutherland

Cindy Cashdollar

Cindy Lou Harrington

Cindy Lu Country

CJaye LeRose

Claudia Nygaard

Clelia Adams

Coley McCabe

Colleen McFarland

Connie Kis Andersen

Connie Smith

Corinne Chapman

Crystal Gage

Crystal Gayle

Daisy Hicks

Dallas Daisy

Danielle Lauderdale

Danielle Peck

Darlene Austin

Davie Gayle

Dawn Renee

Deana Carter

Deanna Johnston

DeAnne Moore

Debbie Hennessey

Debbie Miles

Debbie Nunn

Debbie Watson

Deborah Allen

Deby Kelley

DeLana Stevens

Di Anne Foxx

Dianna Corcoran

Dixie Trahan

Dolly Parton

Donna Beckham

Donna Boyd

Donna Fargo

Donna Ferra

Donna Hughes

Doreen Taylor

Eileen Carey

Electa Winter

Ellen Ireland

Emiliana Torrini

Emily Barker

Emily Herring

Emmylou Harris

Erin Condo

Erika Stolt

Faith Hill

Felicity Urquhart

GayLynn Robinson

Georgette Jones

Gillian Welch

Gina Jeffreys

Gina Lee

Ginny McIlmoyle

Gretchen Peters

Gretchen Wilson

HalleyAnna

Hannah Bethel

Hannah McNeil

Heather Morgan

Heather Myles

Heather Richards

Heidi Newfield

Hollie Brian

Holly Dunn

Holly Williams

Irana Surina

Irene Kelley

Iris Dement

Jackie Carlyle

Jackie Dee

Jackie Lawson

Jade Lester

Jalayne Tradler

Jamie O'Neal

Jamie Tate

Jasmine rae

Jan Howard

Janie Fricke

Jean Ann

Jean Shepard

Jeanette Williams

Jeannie C. Riley

Jeannie Seely

Jen Cass

Jennie Stearns

Jennifer Brantley

Jennifer Getz

Jennifer Lynn

Jesse Lee

Jesse Lindsey Smith

Jessica Caitlin Urick

Jessica Cayne

Jessica Erin

Jessica Lynne

Jessica Rae

Jessica Ridley

Jessica Shepherd

Jett Williams

Jill Johnson

Joanna Cotten

Joanna Mosca

Joanna Smith

Jo Dee Messina

JoDell Country

Jody Lynn Mitchell

Jody Miller

Joey Daniels

Jolie Holliday

Jonalee White

Joni Harms