Country music in the 1950s was a pivotal era, yet many fans today might struggle to name the female artists who shaped the genre during this time.
These pioneering women not only created unforgettable melodies but also paved the way for future generations of female country artists.
This article will introduce you to 31 iconic female country singers from the 1950s, highlighting their active years, major albums, and lasting achievements.
We’ll explore their unique vocal styles, chart-topping hits, and the impact they had on the music industry.
By the end, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for these musical pioneers and their enduring influence on country music as we know it today.
Most Influential Female Country Singers from The 1950s
Let’s look at some of the most notable female country singers from the 1950s who left a lasting impact.
1. Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline was one of the most influential vocalists of the 1950s, known for her smooth voice and heartfelt ballads. Her career was tragically cut short, but she left a lasting legacy in country music.
• Years Active: 1952–1963
• Birth Date: September 8, 1932
• Major Albums: Patsy Cline, Showcase
• Major Achievements: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, known for hits like “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces”
2. Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells was one of the first female country singers to gain widespread recognition, earning the title of “Queen of Country Music.” Her songs often dealt with themes of heartbreak and faithfulness.
• Years Active: 1936–2000
• Birth Date: August 30, 1919
• Major Albums: Country Hit Parade, Dust on the Bible
• Major Achievements: First female country artist to score a No. 1 hit with “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”
3. Jean Shepard
Jean Shepard was a pioneering female artist in the country genre, known for her honky-tonk sound and sharp, storytelling lyrics.
• Years Active: 1952–2015
• Birth Date: November 21, 1933
• Major Albums: Songs of a Love Affair, Heartaches and Tears
• Major Achievements: First female country singer to sell over a million records with a debut album
4. Skeeter Davis
Skeeter Davis had a distinct voice that crossed the boundary between pop and country, bringing emotional depth to her performances.
• Years Active: 1953–2004
• Birth Date: December 30, 1931
• Major Albums: I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know, The End of the World
• Major Achievements: Known for the crossover hit “The End of the World”
5. Goldie Hill
Goldie Hill was one of the first women to have a No. 1 country song, known for her sweet vocals and contributions to the honky-tonk sound.
• Years Active: 1952–1968
• Birth Date: January 11, 1933
• Major Albums: I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes
• Major Achievements: First woman to reach No. 1 on the country charts with “I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes”
6. Molly Bee
Molly Bee was known for her lively performances and became a teen sensation in the 1950s with her upbeat country hits.
• Years Active: 1952–2004
• Birth Date: August 18, 1939
• Major Albums: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
• Major Achievements: Popularized the song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
7. Anita Carter
Anita Carter was part of the famous Carter Family and contributed to their legacy with her powerful, angelic voice.
• Years Active: 1939–1999
• Birth Date: March 31, 1933
• Major Albums: Folk Songs Old and New
• Major Achievements: Known for duets with Hank Snow and Johnny Cash, part of the legendary Carter Family
8. Rose Maddox
Rose Maddox was the fiery lead vocalist of The Maddox Brothers and Rose, known for her energetic stage presence and western swing style.
• Years Active: 1937–1996
• Birth Date: August 15, 1925
• Major Albums: A Big Bouquet of Roses
• Major Achievements: Helped popularize western swing and hillbilly music
9. June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash was an integral part of the Carter Family’s legacy and had a successful solo career, known for her partnership with Johnny Cash.
• Years Active: 1939–2003
• Birth Date: June 23, 1929
• Major Albums: Press On, Wildwood Flower
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award-winning singer, married to Johnny Cash, member of the Carter Family
10. Wilma Lee Cooper
Wilma Lee Cooper was known for her traditional Appalachian sound and was one of the genre’s most popular female singers in the 1950s.
• Years Active: 1939–2001
• Birth Date: February 7, 1921
• Major Albums: The Big Wheel
• Major Achievements: Long-time member of the Grand Ole Opry, known for songs like “The Legend of the Dogwood Tree.”
11. Minnie Pearl
Minnie Pearl was a beloved comedian and country singer known for her work on the Grand Ole Opry and her distinct persona with a price-tagged hat.
• Years Active: 1939–1991
• Birth Date: October 25, 1912
• Major Albums: Grand Ole Opry Favorites
• Major Achievements: Iconic member of the Grand Ole Opry, known for her humor and influence on country entertainment
12. Dolly Parton
Though her career skyrocketed in the 1960s and beyond, Dolly Parton began her career in the late 1950s and became a country icon with her signature voice and songwriting prowess.
• Years Active: 1956–present
• Birth Date: January 19, 1946
• Major Albums: Hello, I’m Dolly
• Major Achievements: Numerous Grammy Awards, member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, global superstar
13. Margie Bowes
Margie Bowes won the talent show Pet Milk Grand Ole Opry, which helped launch her country music career in the 1950s.
• Years Active: 1950s–1970s
• Birth Date: March 18, 1941
• Major Albums: Margie Bowes Sings
• Major Achievements: Known for songs like “Poor Old Heartsick Me”
14. Bonnie Owens
Bonnie Owens was known for her solo work as well as her collaborations with her second husband, Merle Haggard.
• Years Active: 1940s–1970s
• Birth Date: October 1, 1929
• Major Albums: Just Between the Two of Us
• Major Achievements: Known for duets with Merle Haggard and her influence on the Bakersfield sound
15. Loretta Lynn
Although Loretta Lynn’s fame peaked in the 1960s, she began her career in the late 1950s, writing and singing about real-life struggles faced by women.
• Years Active: 1959–2022
• Birth Date: April 14, 1932
• Major Albums: Coal Miner’s Daughter
• Major Achievements: Grammy Award winner, member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, known for songs like “You Ain’t Woman Enough”
16. Wanda Jackson
Wanda Jackson is often referred to as the “Queen of Rockabilly,” but she also had a significant impact on country music, blending the two genres with her powerful vocals and unique style.
• Years Active: 1954–2019
• Birth Date: October 20, 1937
• Major Albums: Wanda Jackson, Right or Wrong
• Major Achievements: Pioneer of rockabilly and country, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
17. Martha Carson
Martha Carson was known for her gospel-infused country music and was a trailblazer in bringing spiritual themes into the country genre.
• Years Active: 1938–1970s
• Birth Date: May 19, 1921
• Major Albums: Satisfied
• Major Achievements: Known for the hit gospel-country song “Satisfied,” credited with influencing Elvis Presley
18. Ruby Wright
Ruby Wright was part of the legendary Wright family of country musicians and was known for her classic honky-tonk sound.
• Years Active: 1950s–1960s
• Birth Date: October 27, 1939
• Major Albums: Dern Ya
• Major Achievements: Known for hits like “Billy Broke My Heart at Walgreens.”
19. Margo Smith
Margo Smith was a schoolteacher turned country singer, known for her yodeling skills and her romantic ballads that became popular in the 1950s.
• Years Active: 1950s–1980s
• Birth Date: April 9, 1942
• Major Albums: Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You
• Major Achievements: Known for No. 1 hits like “There I Said It” and “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You”
20. Rosalie Allen
Rosalie Allen was a yodeler and country singer who helped popularize country music on radio and through her own show.
• Years Active: 1944–1968
• Birth Date: June 27, 1924
• Major Albums: Yodeling Cowboy Songs
• Major Achievements: One of the first female country radio stars, inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
21. Dottie West
Dottie West was one of the most influential female country singers of her time, known for her emotional storytelling and partnership with Jim Reeves.
• Years Active: 1959–1991
• Birth Date: October 11, 1932
• Major Albums: Country Girl
• Major Achievements: First female country artist to win a Grammy Award, known for hits like “Here Comes My Baby.”
22. Dorothy Collins
Dorothy Collins was a country singer known for her versatility, having performed in multiple genres, but her work in country music during the 1950s made her an iconic figure in the industry.
• Years Active: 1950s–1960s
• Birth Date: November 18, 1926
• Major Albums: A Girl Like Me
• Major Achievements: Known for her television appearances and country-pop hits
23. Sarah Colley (Minnie Pearl)
Sarah Colley, famously known as Minnie Pearl, was a beloved country comedian and singer who became a symbol of country entertainment through her performances on the Grand Ole Opry.
• Years Active: 1939–1991
• Birth Date: October 25, 1912
• Major Albums: Laughs and Smiles from Minnie Pearl
• Major Achievements: Iconic figure in country comedy, long-time Grand Ole Opry performer
24. Jenny Lou Carson
Jenny Lou Carson was one of the first successful female country songwriters, known for her western themes and honky-tonk sound.
• Years Active: 1938–1950s
• Birth Date: January 13, 1915
• Major Albums: Chained to a Memory
• Major Achievements: First woman inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
25. Jean Chapel (Jimmie Osborne’s Jean Chapel)
Jean Chapel was a country singer who made a name for herself in the 1950s as a versatile performer and songwriter.
• Years Active: 1940s–1960s
• Birth Date: March 6, 1925
• Major Albums: Goodbye My Love
• Major Achievements: Known for hit songs like “Lonely Girl,” also wrote songs for Elvis Presley
26. Bonnie Guitar
Bonnie Guitar was a pioneering figure in the country music industry, known for her versatility as a singer, songwriter, and producer.
• Years Active: 1956–1990s
• Birth Date: March 25, 1923
• Major Albums: Dark Moon
• Major Achievements: First female country artist to have a crossover hit with “Dark Moon,” co-founder of the record label Dolton Records
27. Jo Stafford
Jo Stafford was a popular singer in the 1950s who crossed genres, including country, and was known for her pure, emotive voice.
• Years Active: 1939–1970s
• Birth Date: November 12, 1917
• Major Albums: Jo Stafford Sings American Folk Songs
• Major Achievements: First woman to top the Billboard charts in the 1950s, known for her versatile singing in various genres
28. Patsy Montana
Patsy Montana was the first female country singer to sell a million records, known for her western-themed songs and yodeling.
• Years Active: 1933–1996
• Birth Date: October 30, 1908
• Major Albums: Cowboy’s Sweetheart
• Major Achievements: First female country artist to have a million-selling single with “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart”
29. Molly O’Day
Molly O’Day was known for her powerful voice and spiritual country music, often incorporating gospel elements into her work.
• Years Active: 1940s–1950s
• Birth Date: July 9, 1923
• Major Albums: The Living Legend of Molly O’Day
• Major Achievements: Known for her hit “Tramp on the Street,” influential in bluegrass and gospel country
30. Janis Martin
Janis Martin, dubbed “The Female Elvis,” was known for her rockabilly influence but also made her mark in country music.
• Years Active: 1956–1960s
• Birth Date: March 27, 1940
• Major Albums: The Blanco Sessions
• Major Achievements: Known for her hit “Will You, Willyum,” blending rockabilly and country
31. Bonnie Brown
Bonnie Brown was a member of the famous sibling group The Browns, known for their close harmonies and country-pop style.
• Years Active: 1954–1967
• Birth Date: July 31, 1937
• Major Albums: Sweet Sounds by The Browns
• Major Achievements: Known for the crossover hit “The Three Bells”
Conclusion
As we’ve explored the lives and careers of these iconic female country singers of the 1950s, it’s clear that their impact on the genre was immeasurable.
These women broke barriers, charted new territories, and left an indelible mark on country music.
Their stories remind us of the power of perseverance and talent in the face of adversity.
From honky-tonk bars to the Grand Ole Opry stage, these artists shaped the sound and spirit of country music for generations to come.
What’s next? We encourage you to dive deeper into their discographies, seek out their recordings, and share their music with others.
By doing so, you’ll not only enjoy some fantastic tunes but also help keep the legacy of these pioneering women alive.
Which of these singers resonated with you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
