One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. Her 2014 single Ex's & Oh's became one of the top songs in US. In a long career that terminated tragically in a car accident in 1991, West charted 63 singles. Lees rise to fame took several years. Although this quartet only enjoyed a few years of success, those few years managed to help inspire a generation to turn their eyes and ears toward traditional American folk music. 44. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Her organization MuttNation Foundation works for rehabilitation of rescue animals. In 2014, she was named on Time magazine's list of100 most influential people in the world. Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films. Singer and pianist Dinah Washington was noted as the most famous black female recording artist of the 1950s. 21 Best 50s Female Singers (1950s Female Singers) - MG - Music Singers Patsy Cline was an American singer widely regarded as one of 20th century's most influential, celebrated, and respected vocalists. The Primettes formed in 1959 and signed to Motown by 1961 as The Supremes. All came from different backgrounds but had one thing in common: much like their male counterparts their group name typically started with TheThe Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Shangri-Las, The Crystals, The Marvelettes, and dozens of other all-female groups of the era. Female Country Singers It almost seems like every folk artist of note came up listening to the Carter Family and learning their songs. Older female singers still alive in 2023. Cuts by Carl Smith would follow. She was killed in a plane crash in 1963, along with fellow stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas, while returning to Nashville from a benefit concert. Betty Jack was killed in a car wreck that same year, after which Skeeter moved on as a solo act. John Gorka's literary, poetic folk songs are among some of the most well-written around these days. 1 singles between 1950 and 1953. She was mentored and produced for years by Porter Wagoner and starred on his syndicated TV show from 1967 to 1974. Her 1938 rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket brought them into the spotlight. 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 Their debut album was recorded in their kitchenand went on to become a favorite among folk enthusiasts nationwide. Norma Deloris Egstrom began singing professionally at the young age of 16 in 1936. Apart from being a bandleader, a solo artist, and an interpreter of other artists' works, Harris is also an activist; since 1999, she has been conducting Concerts for a Landmine Free World, an annual benefit tour. Kitty Wells - It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels 2. Female Menu. Oldest Female Singers Female Country Singers: The Top 45 Singers of All Time - Wide Joni Mitchell is revered for her poetic imagery and her lovely, soaring soprano. 1/10 SLIDES Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a Due to his innovative blend of hard rock guitars with folky, rootsy lyrics and themes, Young has become one of the most influential artists in contemporary folk-rock. She has won more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist. Dottie West was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018. They were encouraged by the success Little Jimmy Dickens had a year earlier with their song Country Boy, which rocketed to No. Barbra Streisand 15. 1 in the U.S., selling more than one million copies. Arden transferred to Decca Records in the mid-1950s. Here's a look at the best singers, songwriters, artists, and bands in the history of American folk music. Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Although both Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon have had careers since the duo split up, and although Paul Simon has become a rather influential, prolific songwriter, it's hard to deny the level of artistry they were able to achieve as a pair. The remaining members took an offer from Tommy Dorsey to perform with his orchestra. Leonard Cohen is one of the most distinguished songwriters in contemporary folk music. 20 Best Female Singers of the 60s 20. Aretha Franklin - Respect Official Video Winner. Brenda Lee 9. Country by the Decade: 1950s | Opry Phil Ochs is known for writing exceptional protest songs, and he spared nobody with his sharp tongue. But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. She remains the only woman to be a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1 on the R&B chart. She appeared prominently on The Johnny Cash Show from 1969 to 1971. He's a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Emmylou has long been an advocate of social justice and has counted Joan Baez and Bob Dylan among her many influences. Since the release of her self-titled debut in 1990, DiFranco has built an excessively loyal fanbase around the world, as well as a rather successful independent record label out of her hometown in Buffalo, NY. There were plenty of issues, to be sure. James Taylor is often considered one of the most successful of the "sensitive singer/songwriters." Through his haunting, intuitive songwriting skills, Harper has certainly earned his place among the best folk artists of all time. In the 1950s, she made regular appearances in movie musicals. 1937) charted country songs from 1964 to 1974, generally in the lower regions. Legends of Country: Classic Hits from the '50s, '60s & '70s Hank Williams & Drifting Cowboys - Honky Tonkin' 3. Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. She also led the pathway for other female country singers in the Nashville area. Among them were love songs, songs of praise, silly children's songs, songs about nature, and topical protest songs. Janis Joplin 5. Joan Baez is one of the most remarkable forces in American folk music. Thank you! CMT and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Many of them have become as much a part of the Great American Songbook as those written by Ira Gershwin or Johnny Mercer -- classics such as Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, Jolene and 9 to 5, the theme from her 1980 movie of the same name. In the last 40 years, he's released more than 50 recordsand has become a rather respected songwriter in the realm of protest song. Carrie Underwood welcomed Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean and Jimmie Allen on stage for duets. One thing you always hear when people talk about Odetta is the exceptional power of her voice. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. Ross embarked on her acting and solo career, and Wilson also released two solo albums throughout her career, including an expanded version of her 1978 self-titled debut prior to her death in 2021. Next: The top Soprano singers of all time. Patty Griffin is a songwriter's songwriter and has become highly respected across all musical genres for her numerous compositions. 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. Country Singers One of Woody Guthrie's most dedicated proteges, Ramblin' Jack earned his reputation as a tall tale teller and folk singer. While the 50s were generally regarded as a feel-good era in America, country music was ironically dominated by tear-in-my-beer honky-tonk songs in the first portion of the decade. 50s Country Their songs captured a moment in time, of naivete and love and loss and remain classics today. He hired them both, and they hit the road, appearing in a movie short with the Pastor Orchestra and recording numerous songs, such as The Secretary Song and If I Had a Million Dollars., When Rosemary went to record Come On-A My House, Betty returned home. But it was sufficient to earn her Grand Ole Opry membership in 1953, a niche she occupied until her death. He became so popular and influential that he managed to get his own U.S. postal stampnot something with which many folksingers have been honored. Kim Ruehl is a folk music writer whose writing has appeared in Billboard, West Coast Performer, and NPR. Another Motown-era hit, The Marvelettes first became friends in their high-school glee club coming up in Inkster, Michigan. Her first hit, Walking After Midnight, came in 1957 and was followed by such standards-in-embryo as I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and She's Got You.. favorites: Heartaches by the Number, Lonely Street 28 Billie Jo Spears Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. Indeed, there aren't a lot of songwriters working these days who don't feel some reverence towards his work. Jackson went on to release one of her biggest songs, Dont You Know, peaking at no. 13 on the Top Pop Singles chart. In 1955, despite music trends moving toward rock and roll and Carson being a pop singer, she managed a no. Hits: Mr. As the frontman of the North Carolina Ramblers, Poole became an influence on the founding fathers of American bluegrass. 1 hit in 1950 and 1951. She even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It hasn't been an easy journey for female country musicians, who have faced the same and sometimes more difficult inequalities as In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher. A woman of many talents, June Carter Cash was an American singer-songwriter, author, comedian, actress, and dancer. Under the Influence, America's Sweetheart, Good Girls, Different for Girls, Wild Love are some of her other popular songs. Holly Near's staunch activism and feminist political protest songs have earned her a place among the greatest American folk singers of all time. 4 on the U.S Pop chart. Dionne Warwick 6. Kelsea Ballerini is an American singer and songwriter. 3. His dark, spiritual love songs have been frequently covered by artists of all sorts. Her singing style helped influence several artists and musical genres. 2 in 1958. The women featured here are standouts in a number of genres. Laura Nyro 17. The 50 best singer/songwriters, artists, and bands in the history of American folk music, from the 1940s through the 60s until today. The portrayal of the title character of television series, Hannah Montana, made her a teen idol. Here are 11 of the top girl groups of the 1950s and 1960s, who all left a mark with their eternal hits. 1 on both the country and pop charts in 1968 and won a Grammy in the process. Parton was determined to be an entertainer from childhood and was performing on a Knoxville television show before she reached her teens. So what we've done is list them chronologically according to their first appearance on the Billboard chart. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revival and started her own record company, Wildflower Records. Emmylou Harris is often considered a country singer, but her roots really lie in contemporary folk. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. Leadbelly's influence has been felt across the musical spectrum, and his tunes spanned the old folk-blues and contemporary folk music. Music!" on The Ed Sullivan Show, 25 Best 50s Musicians (Top Artists From The 1950s), 15 Best Female Metal Bands (Or Female Fronted), The best female singers of the 1960s (our picks), The best female singers from the 1970s (70s female singers), Top female singers of all time list (our choices), Our picks for the best black female singers of all time, highest weekly gross of any other musical, The best blues singers of all time (most famous picks). Sign-Up For Our Newsletter. Carole King, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Loretta Lynn all wrote songs from the heart about love and life, and became commercial successes in the process. Billboardawarded her the most popular female vocalist in 1955, 1956, and 1957. Site Map | As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. 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. Web101 Female Rock 'n Roll Girls of the '50s - Compilation by Various Artists | Spotify Home Search Your Library Create Playlist Privacy Center Cookies Preview of Spotify Sign up to 1 that Wynette and Sherrill co-wrote, won a Grammy for best female vocal and was later installed into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Frank Sinatra soon joined the band and led them all to the top of theBillboardcharts for 12 weeks in 1940 with their version of Ill Never Smile Again., The group toured across the U.S. for three years, with Stafford making a solo recording on the side in 1941. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. Johnny Cash grew up listening to them on the radio. Subscribe for updates, events, offers and more. Singers You Didn't Realize Are Still Alive After their split, Jim Ed went on to a long and successful solo career, and Maxine recorded one album. It reached no. WebSeven artists appear twice: Bing Crosby, as the "friend" of Gary Crosby (#28) and with Grace Kelly (#50); Perry Como, with Eddie Fisher (#52) and Betty Hutton (#77); Tony Martin, with Dinah Shore (#53) and Fran Warren (#83); Red Foley, with Kitty Wells (#36) and Ernest Tubb (#44); Marvin Phillips, with Johnny Perry (#64) and Jesse Belvin (#100); But dwarfing these early successes were the hits they wrote for the Everly Brothers, among these Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie and All I Have to Do Is Dream. Then in 1968 came their insanely infectious Rocky Top, first a hit for the Osborne Brothers and, in time, a staple for every bluegrass banjo player who ever lived. The song was the groups first single and their biggest hit. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. Formed in 1946 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, The Chordettes initially started out singing more folk-driven songs until they tapped into their harmony. If any songwriter could be called "prolific" or "influential," those terms would certainly apply to Woody Guthrie. Nashville, Tennessee 37214, Ryman Auditorium 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. He frequently pulls from the Wobbly (Industrial Workers of the World) songbook, and his live shows are peppered with as much silliness as serious protest songs. Dave Van Ronk was one of the most important figures in the Greenwich Village folk-music scene of the 1960s. The song made the trio international stars and earned them extensive exposure on network television. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. Who is the greatest female country singer of all time?Carrie Underwood. Born in March 1983, Carrie Underwood claims the first spot for the best country female singers of all time.Dolly Parton.Shania Twain.Patsy Cline.Martina McBride.Taylor Swift.Miranda Lambert.Reba McEntire. She has received various accolades and awards in her very successful singing career spanning several decades and has composed over 3,000 songs. Her chart debut came in 1958 with Lost to a Geisha Girl. She would chart 40 more singles, including her 1962 crossover hit, The End of the World. as well as Gonna Get Along Without You Now and I Can't Stay Mad at You. She was married to disc jockey Ralph Emery from 1960 to 1964 and to Joey Spampinato of the rock band NRBQ from 1983 to 1996. Notable artists include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bill Haley. 1 tracks on the American charts and the first to get a gold certification. He's managed to maintain a sort of cult following, bringing his soulful folk stylings to rather biting protest songs and incantations about justice and the human experience. 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). Discover our 2022 Class of Country's Rising Sound. 1 hit singles on the U.S. Even though they were pieced together with the intention of being an ideal folk-pop money-making supergroup, there's not a lot about Peter, Paul & Mary that was contrived. 2023 Opry. The evolution of the genre in the 1950s was perhaps best captured at the Opry, where it wasnt uncommon to see honky-tonk, bluegrass, and rockabilly artists perform in succession of each other. Become a member. Navigation. As prominent as women were during this fruiful period, better days were still to come. ], Carmel by the Sea / The Man I Used to Know, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkiJgm6MWA8, When Two Worlds Collide / I Want to Be Where You're Gonna Be, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rww6Sqqzi4g, I Still Believe in Love / Life's That Way, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRnli0d-Gas, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQkm3I2BNgo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vlZjLUkd9s, Keeping Up With the Joneses / No Thanks, I Just Had One, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSphfySIfKw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9iLt8sXbu4, My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy / 'Til Death Do Us Part, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDcoKbX_zBM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o02f4ArNcWA, The French Song (Quand le soleil) / Sit Down and Write a Letter to Me, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35WLFvVL2Sg. Meanwhile, women began to carve out a space for themselves in the genre, too. Her first no. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. WebThe list includes many familiar and great female country singers such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain.The women country singers featured in this list are from United States, United Kingdom, Canada & Australia and many more countries. In terms of topical and protest songwriting, Tom Paxton is one of the best there is. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. While the man who would later become known as The King had a hard time catching a break in Nashville, one rockabilly artist signed under the same record label would capture the hearts of country enthusiasts and rock n roll fans alike: Johnny Cash. 3 on theBillboard charts and impressed studio executives. Lefty Frizzell - If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time 6. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live) 2. Since then, he's become a highly influential songwriter. During her peak, she gained recognition worldwide as the most successful female singer. Dubbed Country Music's reigning Queen, Underwood has influenced several other singers, such as Kelsea Ballerini, Lucy Hale, Lauren Alaina, Mollie King, and Danielle Bradbery. She recorded nearly 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Her first chart song and only No. In fact, the only musicians who have outsold Elvis are the Beatles. Although she passed away in 1962, Monroes stardom lives on. Shirley Bassey 3. The brother-and-sisters act The Browns first charted in 1954 with Looking Back to See, a song Jim Ed Brown (1934-2015) and Maxine Brown (1931-2019) wrote. Mandy Moore is a popular singer, songwriter, and actress who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After being diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, Sheryl Crow opened the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center by joining hands with her surgeon Kristi Funk. Originally the group was formed with Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, Juanita Cowart, and Georgia Dobbins, who was later replaced by Wanda Young. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart and no. Among these were The Girl Most Likely, There Never Was a Time, Country Girl, Oh, Singer and Good Enough to Be Your Wife.. A new era of female songwriters like Carole King, who penned The Chiffons 1963 hit One Fine Day and The Shirelles 1960 hit Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow when she was just 18, and Ellie Greenwich, who wrote hits Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Chapel of Love, Leader of the Pack, were also coming to the forefront. For the latest songwriting tips, reviews, podcasts, and more. Its 1957 in Detroit and two years before Motown would emerge, friends Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, Gloria Williams, and Martha Reeves, who would move up as lead singer following Williams departure were finding their voice. 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. WebKitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. His early songs were brief and sharp topical songs like "I Ain't Marching Anymore" and "Draft Dodger Rag." She's possibly one of the most impressive vocalists in contemporary folk music. In his collaboration with Portland fiddle player Tracy Grammer, the duo managed to sing and play their way into the hearts of folk fans, even in the short time before Carter's death in 2002. Aretha Franklin was one of the most talented and influential singers not just in the 60s but the She's also an award-winning artist in her own rightand has recorded album after album of incredible folk, gospel, and blues songs. Admired for her powerful, intense vocals, Connie Smith (b. 1 on theBillboardHot 100. Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. They were a close duo that sang together. Read about the first generation of female country artists, including Maybelle Carter, Minnie Pearl, and songwriter Cindy Walker. He went on to be an instrumental force in the '60s folk revival and helping organize during the Civil Rights movement and the peace movement. Her success also sky-rocketed with songs like Stupid Cupid, Dont Break the Heart That Loves You, and Everybodys Somebodys Fool.Francis turned into an international star, becoming the first non-European to earn the title of Europes most popular artist. Her personal life has often sparked controversy, especially when she came out as pansexual and talked about use of cannabis. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. This position brought her a visit from Lionel Hampton, who provided Washington with the opportunity to be the female vocalist in his band and perform at the Chicago Regal Theater. 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. Other hits include Crazy and I Fall to Pieces.. 21 Best 50s Female Singers. STREAM THE SHOWTIME ORIGINAL SERIES GEORGE AND TAMMY, Read About Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, Tammy Wynette, and More, Dierks Bentley Announces Summer Gravel & Gold Tour with Jordan Davis, Elle King and More. She recorded her first single (which did not chart) when she was 12. Shepard was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. There are some exceptions- the work of After a tough experience during adolescence and a rough start to her career, she took comfort in performing with Chick Webb And His Orchestra. Cline suddenly passed away during a plane crash in 1963, but she left a legacy behind, earning herself a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the Her embattled marriage with George Jones made Typically made up of trio or quartet of young women, they sang in harmony about the perfect guy, the one that got away or did them wrong. 1's in a chart history that extended into 1979. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. 1941) struck gold when Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson discovered her in an Ohio talent contest. Seely remains one of the Opry's most applauded performers. Such was her wide vocal appeal and heart-melting songs that Patsy Cline (1932-1963) achieved legendary status in the relatively short six-year period she recorded. She sang mostly pop and country songs. LaVern BakerConnie FrancisBrenda LeeDinah WashingtonDella ReeseAretha FranklinEtta JamesKaren CarpenterDusty SpringfieldPatti LabelleMore items Apart from her entertainment career, Moore is a known philanthropist who endorses the philosophy of effective altruism. 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the song was a response to Hank Thompsons Wild Side of Life and set the trend for answer songs. In the '50s, '60s, and '70s, female solo singers were ever-present on radio, TV and the pop charts -- as they should have been! 10 and won a Grammy, making her the first female Grammy winner in country music history. Loretta Lynn is an American singer known for her groundbreaking contribution to country music. But, it was his involvement in the scene that put him on the map; literally, there's a street in the West Village of New York named after him. 1 until 1973 when she began duetting with Kenny Rogers. She was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. The scene was shifting and the female voice was getting more airplay and beginning to dominate the charts. Just as Patsy Cline had mentored her career, Lynn did the same for her younger sister, who achieved fame as Crystal Gayle. Below is a list (in no particular order) of popular and talented female rock 'n roll, pop, country, R&B, jazz and soul music solo artists who forged their own way in the music world and are considered to be among the greats of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. As a result, Franti has inspired and motivated fans, critics and fellow songwriters to action through his work. Brenda Holloway 13. Ballerini became the first female artist since Carrie Underwood in 2006 to have her debut single top the Country Airplay chart. 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. Stay Up-To-Date with The Opry. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. The classic song hit No. Michael Franti has become known for his electrifying live performances that can feel more like a peace rally than a standard music concert. Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music.