1. Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline is often seen as one of country music’s most iconic figures, but her contributions to the genre are sometimes overlooked in favor of more commercialized stars. Known for her deeply emotional voice and songs like “Crazy” and “Walkin’ After Midnight,” Patsy blended pop and country in ways that hadn’t been done before. Her tragic death at just 30 years old left a hole in country music, but her influence continues to inspire artists across genres. Her ability to express vulnerability and heartache made her a beloved figure, but it’s easy to forget just how groundbreaking she was in her time.
2. Kitty Wells
Widely regarded as the first female country music superstar, Kitty Wells paved the way for generations of women in the genre. With hits like “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” she made a bold statement about female independence and defied the traditional expectations for women in country music. Despite her early success, Kitty Wells never fully received the recognition she deserved in the larger scope of the genre’s history, often overshadowed by male counterparts. Her influence on country music is undeniable, but her legacy as a trailblazer for women often gets lost.
3. Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee, with her unmistakable voice, became one of the biggest stars of the 1960s, yet her contributions to country music often get overshadowed by her pop and crossover success. Best known for the holiday classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” she also had a string of hits like “I’m Sorry” and “Sweet Nothin’s” that showcased her emotional depth and versatility. Despite her chart-topping success and impact on both country and pop music, Brenda’s pioneering role as a female artist in country music is often forgotten or downplayed.
4. Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in country music, yet her struggles and achievements are often overshadowed by the industry’s focus on her more famous peers. Songs like “Coal Miner’s Daughter” tell the story of her humble beginnings, and her voice—tough but tender—captivated audiences for decades. Despite facing prejudice and hardship, Loretta made her way to the top and made space for women in the genre. But in recent years, her pivotal role in shaping the sound of country music is sometimes overlooked.
5. Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette is synonymous with classic country music, especially with her signature hit “Stand By Your Man,” a song that both defined and complicated her legacy. While she is often celebrated for her strong presence in the genre, her more nuanced contributions—such as her remarkable vocal range and emotional depth—are sometimes forgotten. She faced intense personal and professional struggles, but her ability to channel heartache into music made her a staple in country music history. Her true impact often gets relegated to the background, overshadowed by the controversies around her songs.
6. Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell was one of the most successful crossover artists in country music during the 1970s and ’80s, yet her influence is often underestimated. Known for hits like “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” Mandrell’s success as both a singer and an entertainer (thanks to her skills on multiple instruments) made her one of the genre’s most versatile stars. She was ahead of her time in terms of blending pop with country, but somehow, her innovative approach to both music and performance tends to be overlooked by modern audiences.
7. Emmylou Harris
While Emmylou Harris is respected by music critics, she’s often underappreciated by mainstream country music fans. Harris brought folk, bluegrass, and rock influences to country music with her ethereal voice and an impeccable sense of artistry. Her collaborations with artists like Gram Parsons and Bob Dylan helped to create some of the genre’s most iconic moments. But while she continues to receive accolades, her distinct contributions to country are often overshadowed by the more commercially successful acts.
8. The Carter Family
Though the Carter Family is frequently cited as the founders of modern country music, the essential role of the women in the group—particularly Sara Carter—is often forgotten. Sara’s harmonies and guitar playing were pivotal to the Carter Family’s distinctive sound. Her contributions to the development of American folk and country music are sometimes diminished in favor of the group’s male members, but her legacy as a powerful voice in the genre deserves more recognition.
9. Rose Maddox
Rose Maddox was a true pioneer in the West Coast honky-tonk scene. She had a rich, powerful voice that could transcend traditional country boundaries, incorporating elements of rockabilly and blues into her music. Her early hits like “You’re Going to Lose Your Gal” showcased her strong personality, but unfortunately, she didn’t receive the same widespread recognition that her male contemporaries did. Rose’s blend of honky-tonk and rockabilly was a forerunner to many modern country artists, yet her legacy has been largely forgotten.
10. Linda Ronstadt
While Linda Ronstadt is often celebrated for her pop and rock work, her influence on country music is undeniable. Her 1974 album Heart Like a Wheel, featuring songs like “When Will I Be Loved,” brought country music to a broader audience. Linda seamlessly blended country, folk, and rock, creating timeless music that resonated across genres. But despite her extensive influence on country music and her many Grammy Awards, she is often remembered more for her pop hits than for her contributions to the genre.
11. Connie Smith
Connie Smith’s career is one of country music’s most beloved yet underrated stories. Her 1964 debut single, “Once a Day,” was a smash hit, and she continued to make music that stood the test of time. Known for her powerful voice and strong gospel roots, Connie was a leading lady in country during the ’60s and ’70s. However, her contribution to the genre has often been eclipsed by other female stars of her time, and she remains somewhat forgotten in mainstream country music conversations today.
12. Melba Montgomery
Melba Montgomery’s career took off in the early 1960s, and her duet work with artists like George Jones earned her a place among the top country talents. However, her solo career didn’t quite reach the same heights, and her powerful voice often gets overlooked in favor of other women in country music. She was a key player in country music during its golden age but doesn’t always receive the credit she deserves for helping shape the sound of the genre.
13. Minnie Pearl
Minnie Pearl, best known for her comedic persona and signature “how-dee” greeting, was one of the early women to make a name for herself in country music. Her blend of humor and country flair made her an iconic figure, but despite her undeniable popularity, her role as a serious country music artist is often overshadowed by her comedic image. Still, Minnie Pearl’s influence on both country music and entertainment as a whole is immeasurable.
14. Wanda Jackson
Known as the “Queen of Rockabilly,” Wanda Jackson was one of the first women to break into rock and roll before making her mark in country music. Her songs like “Right or Wrong” displayed her unique style, blending rock, blues, and country in a way that was ahead of her time. Yet despite her groundbreaking role in music, Jackson’s name doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, especially among modern country audiences, who may not realize how instrumental she was in shaping the sound of the genre.
15. Dottie West
Dottie West is often overlooked in discussions of the most influential women in country music. She was one of the first to successfully blend country with pop and easy listening, creating a sound that reached a broad audience. Hits like “Here Comes My Baby” and “Country Girl” made Dottie a household name in the 1960s and ’70s, but her ability to bring depth and sophistication to country music didn’t always get the credit it deserved. Despite winning multiple Grammy Awards, she is often eclipsed by other more dominant female stars of her time.
16. Holly Dunn
Holly Dunn was a strong force in 1980s and early ’90s country music, scoring major hits like “Daddy’s Hands” and “Maybe I Mean Yes.” Known for her sweet, but assertive voice, she became a staple on country radio during her peak years. Despite her success, Holly Dunn’s career seemed to fade from the limelight too quickly. Her powerful ballads about family, love, and self-awareness made her one of the more authentic voices in the genre, yet she hasn’t maintained the same recognition as other stars from her era.
17. Loretta Lynn’s Sister, Crystal Gayle
While Crystal Gayle was undoubtedly successful in her own right, often overshadowed by the towering presence of her sister, Loretta Lynn, she has carved out an enduring legacy. With her silky voice and crossover appeal, Crystal’s hits like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” earned her millions of fans. But despite her massive success in the ’70s and ’80s, Crystal Gayle’s name doesn’t come up as frequently as other female artists from the era, and her influence on the smooth country-pop sound is often left out of the conversation.
18. Skeeter Davis
Skeeter Davis, best known for her hit “The End of the World,” had a voice that could pierce straight through to the heart, blending elements of country, pop, and folk. Her unique sound and heartfelt delivery made her a standout in country music, but her contributions are often forgotten in the current landscape. Skeeter was an innovator, taking country music into new directions, but she remains one of the genre’s most underappreciated stars, with much of her legacy fading over time.
