Bands and Musical Groups

Top 12 Country Bands with Powerful Female Lead Singers

Female lead singers have greatly impacted the country music scene, bringing a fresh perspective and incredible talent. If you’re looking for country bands with strong, captivating women at the front, you’re in the right place.

In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to 12 country bands featuring powerful female lead singers who have left their mark on the music world.

From classic acts to up-and-coming groups, you’ll discover a range of styles and voices that showcase the best of what female-led country bands offer.

Get ready to be inspired by these talented women and their unforgettable contributions to country music.

Let’s dive in and explore the top 12 country bands with female lead singers you won’t want to miss.

12 Female-Led Country Bands Who Rocked the Music Scene

1. The Chicks

The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, are led by Natalie Maines’s powerful voice. The band is known for its blend of country, folk, and pop music and its bold stance on social and political issues.

Female Lead Singer: Natalie Maines
Notable Songs: “Wide Open Spaces,” “Goodbye Earl”
Major Achievements: Numerous Grammy Awards, platinum albums
Years Active: 1989–present

2. Little Big Town

Little Big Town features the incredible harmonies of lead singers Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman. Their breakthrough hit “Girl Crush” showcased their unique vocal interplay, while “Pontoon” became a summer anthem.

Female Lead Singers: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman
Notable Songs: “Girl Crush,” “Pontoon”
Major Achievements: Multiple Grammy Awards, CMA Awards
Years Active: 1998–present

3. Lady A

Formerly known as Lady Antebellum, Lady A is fronted by the soulful voice of Hillary Scott. The band’s smash hit “Need You Now” took the world by storm.

Female Lead Singer: Hillary Scott
Notable Songs: “Need You Now,” “Just a Kiss,” “Downtown”
Major Achievements: Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards
Years Active: 2006–present

4. Sugarland

Jennifer Nettles’ powerful vocals are at the forefront of Sugarland’s music. The duo’s emotional ballad “Stay” showcased Nettles’ incredible range.

Female Lead Singer: Jennifer Nettles
Notable Songs: “Stay,” “Baby Girl,” “Stuck Like Glue”
Major Achievements: Grammy Awards, platinum albums
Years Active: 2002–present

5. Pistol Annies

Pistol Annies is a supergroup comprised of country stars Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, and Angaleena Presley. Their debut single “Hell on Heels” introduced the world to their bold, unapologetic style.

Female Lead Singers: Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley
Notable Songs: “Hell on Heels,” “Got My Name Changed Back,” “Hush Hush”
Major Achievements: Critical acclaim, ACM Awards
Years Active: 2011–present

6. The Band Perry

Led by the distinctive voice of Kimberly Perry, The Band Perry burst onto the scene with their breakout hit “If I Die Young.” The song’s haunting melody and poignant lyrics resonated with listeners.

Female Lead Singer: Kimberly Perry
Notable Songs: “If I Die Young,” “Better Dig Two,” “Done”
Major Achievements: Grammy nominations, CMA Awards
Years Active: 2005–present

7. Runaway June

Runaway June is a trio featuring the talents of Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, and Natalie Stovall. Their “Buy My Own Drinks” breakout hit showcased their empowering lyrics and tight harmonies.

Female Lead Singers: Naomi Cooke, Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall
Notable Songs: “Buy My Own Drinks,” “Wild West,” “We Were Rich”
Major Achievements: ACM Award nominations
Years Active: 2015–present

8. Maddie & Tae

Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye make up the duo Maddie & Tae. They made a splash with their debut single, “Girl in a Country Song,” which cleverly critiqued gender stereotypes in country music.

Female Lead Singers: Madison Marlow, Taylor Dye
Notable Songs: “Girl in a Country Song,” “Die from a Broken Heart”
Major Achievements: ACM Awards, Billboard Music Awards
Years Active: 2014–present

9. SheDaisy

Sisters Kristyn, Kelsi, and Kassidy Osborn form the band SheDaisy. Their debut single “I Will…But” introduced their harmonies and catchy melodies to country radio.

Female Lead Singers: Kristyn Osborn, Kelsi Osborn, Kassidy Osborn
Notable Songs: “I Will…But,” “This Woman Needs,” “Don’t Worry ‘Bout a Thing”
Major Achievements: ACM nominations, platinum-selling albums
Years Active: 1999–2011

10. The Wreckers

The Wreckers was a duo comprised of Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp. Their debut single “Leave the Pieces” won them a Grammy nomination and showcased their folk-influenced sound.

Female Lead Singers: Michelle Branch, Jessica Harp
Notable Songs: “Leave the Pieces,” “My, Oh My”
Major Achievements: Grammy nomination, gold-certified album
Years Active: 2005–2008

11. The Highwomen

The Highwomen is a supergroup featuring Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires. Their self-titled debut album was met with critical acclaim, earning them a Grammy Award.

Female Lead Singers: Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires
Notable Songs: “Redesigning Women,” “Crowded Table”
Major Achievements: Grammy Award
Years Active: 2019–present

12. Thompson Square

Husband and wife duo Keifer and Shawna Thompson make up Thompson Square. Their breakout hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” became a multi-platinum sensation.

Female Lead Singer: Shawna Thompson
Notable Songs: “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” “If I Didn’t Have You,” “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About”
Major Achievements: ACM Awards
Years Active: 2002–present

Summing It Up

Country music has been blessed with many talented female lead singers who have left a tremendous mark on the genre.

From the iconic hits of The Chicks and the soulful harmonies of Little Big Town to the empowering anthems of Runaway June and the thought-provoking lyrics of The Highwomen, these 12 bands showcase women’s incredible diversity and strength in country music.

Their music not only entertains but also inspires, challenges societal norms, and speaks to the experiences of countless fans.

As the country music landscape continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: the voices of these powerful women will continue to shape the genre for generations to come.

So, turn up the volume, sing along, and celebrate the unparalleled contributions of these remarkable country bands.

Blake Emerson

Blake Emerson grew up surrounded by music. His dad played in a local rock band, and his mom ran a small record store. This early exposure to bands and the music scene shaped Blake's future. Now, Blake writes about bands and musical groups. He's been doing this for 5 years, but his knowledge goes back much further. Blake's articles often dig into how bands work together, their creative process, and the ups and downs of group dynamics in music.

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