In all, Wynette would score 20 No. Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. But in the 70s, together with Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr., Jennings started the Outlaw Country Movement as an attempt to break away from the more traditional Nashville Sound. Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. Be My Baby was inducted into theGrammy Hall of Famein 1999, and The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Although they started out as more of a bluegrass group, Nickel Creek evolved, over the course of their 20 years, into more of a generalized folk group. Like Kitty Wells' It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, A Dear John Letter topped the charts for six weeks. She averaged about an album a year of her own workand has managed to also slide in several collaborations and benefit albums, not to mention an endlessly rigorous tour schedule. Cline's singles continued to chart intermittently until 1999. Nashville, Tennessee 37219. 10 and won a Grammy, making her the first female Grammy winner in country music history. Miley Cyrus, the American singer-songwriter and actress, is known for her wide range in music, spanning from pop and country pop to hip hop. Aretha Franklin was one of the most talented and influential singers not just in the 60s but the Since then, the Fearless star has not looked back and also made her acting debut in 2009. The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most successful folk-pop groups of the '60s, and Mama Cass was one of the most notable female presences of the folk revival. Their I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know reached No. A list of the most famous country singers of the 1950s would be remiss not to include Patsy Cline. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. This is a professional review website. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. Laura Nyro 17. After winning a talent contest when she was only 15, she began to perform in clubs. It's hard to imagine that we'd still be talking about American folk music had there never been a Carter Family. Shirley Bassey 3. Skeeter Davis: Davis (1931-2004) first came to public notice in 1953 as half of the Davis Sisters (although she and Betty Jack Davis were not related). 2 on the pop charts. Vote for Your Favourite Female Country Singers 1 Taylor Swift The Kingston Trio was one of the most successful folk groups of its kind, inspiring various other trios to dress alike and tell jokes between their renditions of traditional folk songs. She has been a major influence on artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Linda Ronstadt, and Dottie West. WebHer and Bob Regan made good music together. 1937) charted country songs from 1964 to 1974, generally in the lower regions. By 1996, The Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Shore rose to fame during the big band era but gained even more success as a solo artist. Originally called The Starlets, The New Jersey trio of The Angels first formed in 1958 and became best known for their 1963 hit My Boyfriends Back., Hits: My Boyfriends Back, I Adore Him, Til. As a writer, she has contributed immensely to publications like The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Seventeen. Many have credited the Weavers with helping to fuel the folk revival that followed their success and subsequent blacklisting during the McCarthy era. He proceeded to write her debut single, Once a Day, that went No. James Taylor is often considered one of the most successful of the "sensitive singer/songwriters." In terms of topical and protest songwriting, Tom Paxton is one of the best there is. Americanpopandcountry musicsinger-songwriter, Taylor Swift is a multiple Grammy award winning artist who has inspired a number of hopeful musicians. 1 solo single). Her first chart record, Dumb Blonde, was released in 1967 and she joined the Opry in 1969. The Poppies - Lullaby of Love. She also recorded the infamous holiday song Baby, Its Cold Outside alongside Buddy Clark in 1949. 1/10 SLIDES Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a The four-time, (Platinum-selling country music singer who is known for albums like 1996's Ten Thousand Angels), (Singer-songwriter, Musician, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer), (Country Singer-songwriter Known for Her Album 'Jessie James'), Country and pop singer Jessica James Decker is known for her singles such as, (Singer Best Known or Her Hit Song You Light Up My Life). A talented artist since a young age, she achieved success with her first single and debut album in 2006. Her performance of the song Aba Daba Honeymoon in the 1950 film Two Weeks with Love peaked at no. Last but certainly not least, we added probably one of the most famous 1950s female singers. Admired for her powerful, intense vocals, Connie Smith (b. 3. 44. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. Johnny Cash is another one of those artists who's often looked at as a country singer, although his earliest influences were folk artists like the Carter family. Aretha Franklin - Respect Official Video Winner. The academy inducted her version of You Belong to Me and The Pied Pipers Ill Never Smile Again into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Ballerini became the first female artist since Carrie Underwood in 2006 to have her debut single top the Country Airplay chart. One of the most decorated female country singers of her generation, Judd was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame for her contribution to music. Teresa Brewer incorporated a mixture of genres into her singing style to become one of the best female singers of the 1950s. American singer, Elle King, made her mark in showbiz when her debut single Good To Be A Man was released in March 2012 as a digital download. One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. 2. And while female singers were prominent, there were almost never any women playing instruments in the band. Cher 18. Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. Because of this, she debuted in the film industry while still in high school in 1944s Nabonga.. If 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. Her subsequent 47 chart singles included such Top 5 hits as Then and Only Then, If I Talk to Him, Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You), Ain't Had No Lovin' and The Hurtin's All Over. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1965 and in 1997 married Marty Stuart. She developed 27 R&B top 10 hits within seven years. Eventually, she would gravitate more toward country tunes, finding better success in that genre. Seely scored a hit Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You with fellow Opry member Jack Greene in 1969 and a solo hit Can I Sleep in Your Arms in 1973. Aside from being a master flat-picker, Doc Watson has helped inspire a number of other influential folk artists, including Bob Dylan. She won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1962 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, more than 25 years after her death. Web Accessibility. 1 hit singles on the U.S. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. However, despite gender equality still being a major issue, many female vocalists of the 1950s rose to fame and made their mark in history. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live) 2. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. WebSera Cahoone; Cam; Ashley Campbell; Laura Cantrell; Irene Cara; Lindsey Cardinale; Brandi Carlile; Paulette Carlson; Kim Carnes; Mary Chapin Carpenter; Jenny Lou Carson They've released more than 40 albums in the last 50 years, and have become somewhat of an institution in contemporary folk music. A [ edit] Kay Adams Julien Aklei Lauren Alaina Daniele Alexander Jessi Alexander Susie Allanson Deborah Allen Rosalie Allen Amy Allison Liz Anderson Lynn Anderson Jessica Andrews Sheila Andrews Lisa Angelle Susan Anton Katie Armiger Susan Ashton Patti Austin B [ edit] Joan Baez Katherine Bailess He was an activist and a songwriter, a Merchant Marine, and a former member of a barbershop quartet. She was placed third in the singing contest Nashville Star. Hits: Mr. Opry House She sang for KOVC radio in Valley City and eventually obtained her own 15-minute Saturday radio segment. Listen to CMT's new music playlist The Roundup in this story. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. Older female singers still alive in 2023. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. Born out of Washington Heights, New York, Veronica Bennett(Ronnie Spector), her older sisterEstelle Bennett, and their cousinNedra Talley made up The Ronettes. Mandy Moore is a popular singer, songwriter, and actress who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She appeared prominently on The Johnny Cash Show from 1969 to 1971. She also happens to be a beloved old country music star. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. However, she didn't reach No. Picture this: Youre back in the 1950s, grabbing a bite to eat at the local diner, and theres a jukebox sitting in the corner waiting for you to insert your coin and pick a song. John Prine is often hailed as one of the best narrative songwriters of his generationand has been compared to fellow great songwriters Paul Simon, Loudon Wainwright, and James Taylor. Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. Even though he'd been playing music his whole life, Shindell didn't start making waves in the folk world until Joan Baez picked up three of his songs for her 1997 album. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. But the blockbusters came soon after that, with Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad, My Elusive Dreams (a duet with David Houston), and the Grammy-winning I Don't Wanna Play House.. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. The group released hits Baby, I Love You, (The Best Part of) Breakin Up, Walking in the Rain, and Be My Baby, all christened by Ronnie Spectors tender and tough vibrato. One year later, after auditioning for WDAY in Fargo, radio personality Ken Kennedy gave her the stage name Peggy Lee. Georgia Holt is a retired American actress, singer-songwriter, and former model. Patti Page: Best known for her 1950 crossover hit, The Tennessee Waltz, Page (1927-2013) charted various other country singles through 1982, including the 1972 Top 20 duet with Tom T. Hall, Hello We're Lonely. Her recording of The Tennessee Waltz was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. After having performed in the shadow of her husband Johnny Wright and his singing partner Jack Anglin, Kitty Wells (1919-2012) blew that duo out of the water in 1952 with her massive hit, It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. It was her first record to chart and an answer song to Hank Thompson's Wild Side of Life, which lamented I didn't know God made honky tonky angels/I might have known you'd never make a wife., To this, Wells' tune responded, It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels/as you said in the words of your song/Too many times married men think they're still single/That has caused many a good girl to go wrong. Wells (real name: Muriel Deason) became known as the Queen of Country Music and would score two more No. Also known for her philanthropic activitiesTrisha Yearwood has been supporting Habitat for Humanity, a charity home building group, for many years now. Hits: Heat Wave, Dancing in the Street, Quicksand, Nowhere to Run, Produced by Phil Spector, The Crystals has a steady run of hits from 1961 through 1964 with Hes a Rebel, Uptown, Da Doo Ron Ron, Theres No Other (Like My Baby), Then He Kissed Me, andHes Sure the Boy I Love., Hits: Da Doo Ron Ron, Then He Kissed Me, Hes a Rebel, Ellie Greenwichhad originally written Chapel of Love forThe Ronettes, but the song was ultimately recorded by The Dixie Cups and produced by Phil Spector. 13 on the Top Pop Singles chart. She was mentored and produced for years by Porter Wagoner and starred on his syndicated TV show from 1967 to 1974. The two sang as a duo for most of Clooneys early career. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. The top 50 folk artists of all time, in alphabetical order. First lionized as a teen rock 'n' roll star, Brenda Lee (b. Presley certainly wasn't the first to sing what's now considered rock 'n' roll; other notable artists WebHere's a playlist of Holler's Best Country Songs of the 1950s. The Browns were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. 1 in 1955, and a follow-up chart topper Lollipop which peaked at No. Wells may have been countrys first queen, but Patsy Cline was soon to follow and emerged as an indelible part of the Nashville sound, a polished subgenre that dominated radio airwaves in the late 1950s and early 1960s. 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the Leadbelly's influence has been felt across the musical spectrum, and his tunes spanned the old folk-blues and contemporary folk music. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Dusty Springfield 4. 1944) is most famous for writing two quirky hits, the puzzling Ode to Billy Joe, her recording of which now resides in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the explicit Fancy (Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy/and they'll be nice to you.). He had a very low bass voiceand was renowned for bringing some classic African-American spirituals like "Go Down Moses" to national and international attention. Best known for "Stand by Your Man," Tammy Wynette was one of country's biggest female stars in the '60s and '70s. Stay Up-To-Date with The Opry. Her 2014 single Ex's & Oh's became one of the top songs in US. She gained fame with her first hit, Sentimental Journey, which became a sort of anthem during World War II. Rose Lee Maphis just may be the oldest country singer still alive. During the mid-1960s, the Supremes achieved mainstream success with Ross as lead singer, backed by the Motown hit-making HollandDozierHolland as its songwriting and production team throughout the mid-60s. Dionne Warwick 6. Terms & Conditions | 5. Hear New Tracks from Macklemore, Boygenius, Jeff Goldblum, and More, American Songwriter: a Savage Ventures Brand. That's a shame as there are some outstanding performers here who deserve more attention. Womens History Month: These Artists Thrived in the '50s and In 1955, despite music trends moving toward rock and roll and Carson being a pop singer, she managed a no. Another Motown-era hit, The Marvelettes first became friends in their high-school glee club coming up in Inkster, Michigan. Other hits include Crazy and I Fall to Pieces.. is one of the best topical tunes about the American educational system. Get up close to where country music stars and legendsmake history every week,live on the Opry. Lefty Frizzell - If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time 6. Kelsea Ballerini will appear on Saturday Night Live this Saturday. Janis Joplin 5. Uncommonly witty, ambitious and market-savvy despite having been born dirt poor, she has built an empire that embraces performing, music publishing, recording, conventional and television movies, the Dollywood theme park in her native east Tennessee and a worldwide books-to-children charity. 1941) struck gold when Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson discovered her in an Ohio talent contest. Unlike her father, who belted elegant opera, Arden sang more traditional pop music. Just as Patsy Cline had mentored her career, Lynn did the same for her younger sister, who achieved fame as Crystal Gayle. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revival and started her own record company, Wildflower Records. She is credited with releasing several chart-busting albums that have sold millions of copies worldwide. She is also one of the best-selling music artists ever. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. How Is Folk Music Different from Country. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. 5 piano tour de force Down Yonder in 1951. Londons biggest hit was the blues-style jazz ballad, Cry Me A River, written by former classmate Arthur Hamilton. Speaking of proteges, Steve Earle was somewhat of a Townes Van Zandt protegeand has been known to call Townes a better songwriter than Bob Dylan. Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Malcolm Lubliner/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, John Shearer/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media, Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images, Columbia Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 10 Influential Political and Protest Folk Music Artists. Dottie West was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018. Bill Anderson, singer who is still a major songwriter of new hits Her first chart record under her own name came in 1949 via Baby, It's Cold Outside, which paired her with the comic duo Homer & Jethro.