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There are many fine female country artists gracing our air-waves today and I respect their talent but in truth they do not have the longevity to hold the title "Unforgettable classic female country artist". This is reserved for such notable women as the incomparable Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and June Carter-Cash to name a few. Most female country artists today will tell you that at one point or another in their lives, their musical direction has been influenced by the distinct voices and style of the classic ladies who have paved the way before them in Country Music.

Every time I hear the name Patsy Cline, I start singing "Crazy". Ok, so I am on a completely different vocal planet from Ms. Cline, and a lot of other people for that matter, but I try. This particular song has received so much airplay over the years, and has been re-recorded by many artists. However, without doubt this song is synonymous with Ms. Cline. Not only that, it's probably on every Karaoke machine from the Russian Front to Cape Canaveral and beyond. It's a fantastic achievement not only for her, but also Willie Nelson who wrote it, that the artist and song still have major recognition world-wide, long after her death in a plane crash in 1963. Thankfully, she left us with other gems such as "Walkin After Midnight" and "I Fall To Pieces" which are still receiving air-play today.

Tammy Wynette also has right of passage here. Who can forget her vocals on "Stand By Your Man", D-I-V-O-R-C-E, "Take Me To Your World" and "I Don't Wanna Play House". Another classic female artist who lives on through her music long after her death.

Loretta Lynn is absolute royalty. An amazing woman who is still going strong in her craft today. In 2003 she released an album with Jack White of the White Stripes called Van Lear Rose which won a Grammy for best Country Album and she must be nearing 70 years. She had a difficult upbringing which was portrayed in her very successful autobiography, "Coal Miner's Daughter", but she has always remained true to the things she loves which can't be anything but inspirational. She has also diversified throughout her career and teamed with Conway Twitty on many duets that won acclaim. Let's hope that this incredible artist keeps churning out great hits for many years to come.

Then there is June Carter-Cash, yet another legend! She penned so many great hits such as "Burning Ring Of Fire", "Jackson", "If I Were A Carpenter" and the list goes on.
These women are in a class of their own and each one reached the pinnacle of success, rightly achieving adulation globally and their music will continue to resonate and influence future Country and Western Artists, female and male, for decades to come.

Learn more about this author, Sharron Becquet-Rasmussen.
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