by Ticia

Created on: February 04, 2009

There are 4 unforgettable classic female country stars that come to mind without hesitation. All 4 of these artists not only showed talent with their voices but were also creative with their songwriting. My first favorite of all time is the very talented Patsy Cline who took country music fans by storm creating the "Nashville Sound".

Patsy Cline began her career as a teenager after a bout with rheumatic fever that she claims gave her a voice booming like Kate Smith. She rose to stardom giving us an emotional strong voice starting with WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT, a song she thought was just a little old pop song. Well this little old pop song released in 1957 rose to #2 on the country charts and #12 on the pop charts making Patsy the first country singer to have a crossover pop hit. 1961 was the release of I FALL TO PIECES making this #1 on the country charts but also crossed over on the pop charts as #`12. Additionally, this song took #6 on the charts for contemporary which was a huge accomplishment for a female. After a car accident which took her away from touring and promoting her new success and releases, she returned with CRAZY written by Willie Nelson. CRAZY made the charts of Hot Country Songs #2; Adult Contemporary #2 and US HOT 100 as #9. CRAZY was the #1 Jukebox Hit of All Time in 1997. It was Patsy Cline who created the path for success for women in country music today. Her inspiration to these women has cleared the way for the successes of so many talented country female singers. "There's never going to be another Patsy Cline. Without her, I don't think I would have lasted" quoted by her friend Loretta Lynn who is my second favorite.

A coal miner's daughter from rags to riches Loretta Lynn wrote and recorded her own songs such as I'm a HONKY TONK GIRL; HEARTACHE MEET MISTER BLUES and WHISPERING SEA. Climbing to #14 on Billboard's C & W chart, Lynn was on her way to becoming the number one female recording artist in country music following her best friend and mentor Patsy Cline. Loretta continued climbing the charts with hits like SUCCESS in 1962 jumping to #6 followed by BEFORE I'M OVER YOU at #4 and WINE, WOMEN AND SONG at #3. Loretta Lynn climbed to #1 with DON'T COME HOME A DRINKIN in 1967 and also reached a #1 album making it the first one for a female country star to hit gold. In 1970 we enjoyed the #1 hit on the Billboard called COAL MINERS DAUGHTER about her life and later made into a movie. Later in her career she did an album called HONKY

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