by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: April 15, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

Country music is blessed with many talented women. Their voices are varied and their talent is real. To narrow the list the most unforgettable female country singers, specific songs must be included in the criteria. Allison Kraus, Trisha Yearwood, June Carter Cash, and Loretta Lynn all deserve the title of unforgettable female country singers.

Allison Kraus has a voice as pure and perfect as possible. When she sang harmony with Vince Gill for his single "Go Rest High on That Mountain" it took the listener's breath away. Many doubted if anyone could sound as good as Patty Loveless singing with Vince Gill. Allison Kraus can and she did. Sheer perfection. Perfect, there is no other word for it; each note was perfect.

Trisha Yearwood has a wonderful voice. It is rich and hypnotizing. "How Do I Live Without You" could not have been done better by anyone. Another singer, though extremely talented herself, attempted to sing this song, but was blown away by Trisha Yearwood. No one could ever forget her harmonizing with THE Don Henley in her hit song "Walk Away Joe." Even without him singing back-up, Trisha Yearwood sang with all her heart of young love gone bad. Her voice is true and strong, just as it should be in country music.

June Carter Cash admitted she didn't "have the pipes" of other female country singers, but that is open to debate. Her strong voice added to the duets she and husband, Johnny Cash, sang together. "Jackson" would have fallen flat without her. Her voice is not the only thing that is unforgettable. Without her love, Johnny Cash probably would not have had the career he did. Her unwavering support of the man she loved kept him on straight and narrow, giving the world the gift of Johnny Cash and his music.

Of course, there is Loretta Lynn. Her voice is unique. The songs she sang and wrote are some of the best ever. "One's On the Way" is sang with conviction as she describes, with her lyrics, the vast differences between the haves and the have nots. "Fist City" shows the spunky side of the Queen of Country Music. Her harmony with Conway Twitty is impeccable.

Country music singers, both men and women, come and go much like the loves they sings about. There are few who truly can stand the test of time. Allison Kraus, Trisha Yearwood, June Carter Cash, and Loretta are among those who can and will. They are unforgettable female country music singers.

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