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There are a few names that come to mind when you speak of unforgettable classic female artists. However there are two that paved the way for those that would follow them and opened doors to females in the industry that had never been opened before. Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.

Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Winchster Pennsylvania on September 8, 1932. She rose to fame in the late 50's though she had been working in the industry for many years before that. Her first hit in 1957 Walkin after Midnight made it all the way to #2 on the country charts and crossed over to the pop charts landing at #12. Patsy was one of the first country stars to cross over the charts. She followed up this hit with many others including I Fall to Pieces (1961), Crazy (1961), She's Got You (1962), and Sweet Dreams (1963). Her song I Fall to Pieces reached #1 in country and #12 on the pop charts and was named the #1 song of the year in 1962. In 1961 she received membership in the Grand Ole Opry. She died on March 05, 1963, at the age of 30 in a plane crash in Tennessee. In 1973 she was posthumously awarded her place in Country Music's Hall of Fame. In 1993 she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was known for her generosity to other female artist often known to help pay their bills and buy them groceries so they could stay in Nashville.

Loretta Lynn was born Loretta Webb on April 14, 1934 in Butcher Hollow, KY. She married Oliver Vanetta Lynn "Doolittle" on January 10, 1948 at the age of 13. In her extensive career she has written over 160 songs and released 70 albums. She signed her first contract with Zero Records in February of 1960. She has earned many awards and honors during her career. They include four Grammy's, seven American Music Inc. Awards, and ten Academy of Country Music Awards. In 1972 she became the first female to achieve the honor of Entertainer of the Year. She was also named the Artist of the Decade for the 70's. In 1988 she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She also landed at 65 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock -n- Roll list, and 3rd on CMT's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. She too has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

When you consider the number of hits that these two ladies have had during their careers and the impact that they have had on Country Music you can see why it is so difficult to choose just one of them in this category.

Learn more about this author, Regina W.
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