The Country Music Hall of Fame will likely soon announce the newest inductees into the hallowed institution. Last fall, Keith Whitley, Jerry Lee Lewis and former record label executive Joe Galente were inducted, all worthy recipients of the honor.
Since 2010, only four solo female artists: Connie Smith, Reba McEntire, Jean Shepard and Dottie West, have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, with the only other female acts being Jim Ed Brown and the Browns, which included his two sisters, and The Judds.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we are taking a look at the careers of eight female artists whose accomplishments and achievements have more than earned them a rightful spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame as well.
1. Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood has sung at induction ceremonies, and of course was on hand when her husband, Garth Brooks, was inducted in 2012. But Yearwood has made quite a name for herself in country music, both with her albums released, as well as being one of the very few artists who could parlay their fame in country music into a new career, as the host of Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on the Food Network. She also joined Brooks in announcing the 2018 class, which included Ricky Skaggs, the late Dottie West and musician Johnny Gimble — and according to Brooks, should have included his wife as well.
“Not biased or anything, but the greatest female vocalist this town has seen is Trisha Yearwood,” Brooks shared with media after reading off the list of inductees. “I said, ‘You’ll be in here one day.’ And she goes, ‘I just hope, if it happens, that we’re alive.’ I said, ‘Well, I hope you are, because it’ll be the greatest day of your career.’”
Yearwood also recently sang “Walkaway Joe” at the Country Music Hall of Fame, as part of drummer Eddie Bayers’ induction.
2. Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash is a singer and songwriter — and part of country music royalty. The daughter of Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian, Rosanne successfully blurred and blended genre lines for decades, with crossover hits like “Seven Year Ache,” “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me,” “Hold On” and more, helping seal her fate as a global star. But it’s her country meets Americana meets blues meets rock songs like “Blue Moon With Heartache,” “Never Be You,” “Tennessee Flat Top Box” and “Runaway Train,” among many others, which make her worthy. Rosanne has also released numerous critically-acclaimed albums, such as Seven Year Ache, Rhythm & Romance and The River & the Thread.
Rosanne’s been a steady, albeit sometimes subtle, influence on country music since the late ’70s, which makes her mark on country music indelible, and worthy of being honored.
3. Jeannie Seely
By now, most people probably assume Jeannie Seely is already in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and she should be. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1967, Seely, who was previously married to 2014 inductee Hank Cochran, was a mainstay on radio in the ’60s and ’70s, without bending to traditions or gender stereotypes. One of the first women to both wear a miniskirt and emcee a show on the Opry stage, Seely blazed a trail for other female artists, and really, really wants to be inducted while she is alive to enjoy it. Seely also set a new Opry record, by performing on the stage over 5000 times, more than any other artist in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.
“I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I’d love to join all of my peers and friends at the Hall of Fame,” Seely told Everything Nash. “I think some people maybe look at it as an ego trip, but I don’t look at it that way. I think that’s just a validation of your life’s work. I look in there and see all of my friends and fellow Opry members, my peers in this business, and the other writers that I’ve been associated with and was fortunate enough to spend my life with. It would be nice to know that I could join them, and that hallowed ground there.”
4. Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker is another one who could have been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame years ago. Tucker burst onto the music scene with “Delta Dawn” when she was just 13 years old, and managed to turn her success as a child into one of the most successful careers in country music. Tucker has released more than 25 albums, and had over 30 charting singles. She’s also been featured in exhibits in the Country Music Hall of Fame, but has yet to earn a spot in the hallowed hall.
5. Shania Twain
Few people turned country music on its head the way Shania Twain did. Her sophomore The Woman in Me album, which kicked off with the feisty “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?” and had songs like “Any Man of Mine” and “You’re Still the One,” not only brought an entirely new sound to country music, but she also proved that leopard print and midriffs had its place in the genre.
Although considered daring at the start, Twain became the best-selling female artist, and one of the best-selling artists, of all time. And she isn’t done yet. The 57-year-old just released her latest album, Queen of Me.
6. Martina McBride
Like Twain, Martina McBride became a ’90s singing sensation, with hit after hit on the charts. Discovered when her husband, John McBride, was working for Brooks, McBride belted out songs like no one had ever done at radio before, while dealing with touchy subject matters like domestic violence, unafraid to sing powerful female-driven anthems. Selling millions of albums and headlining major tours, McBride could easily argue for a spot in the Hall of Fame.
7. Alison Krauss
Talk about a double, or triple threat. Alison Krauss has made her mark all over country music, including as a singer, fiddle player and mandolin player, performing on some of the biggest stages in the world. Blending country, bluegrass and her stunning vocals, her music has also been heard on both the O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain soundtracks. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1993, Krauss has an astonishing 27 Grammy Awards, making her more than deserving of a place within the Hall of Fame.
8. Lynn Anderson
We had to double-check to make sure Lynn Anderson wasn’t in the Country Music Hall of Fame already, because she seemed like an obvious choice. With an impressive list of albums and singles, with a career that spanned 50 years, until her death in 2015, the success of “Rose Garden” alone was enough to cement her place in country music history. But with well over 40 hit singles, the pioneer for women in country music is long overdue for her own Hall of Fame induction.
Read ’12 Female Artists Who Helped Shape Country Music’ here.
Lynn Anderson with out a doubt should be there! So obvious! and almost shameful she isn’t already!
Without a don’t Lynn Anderson. She was a true Cowgirl and sing anything .
I agree with you 100%. It should have happened before she passed away.
Lynn should be there before all the others listed except maybe Jeannie Seely!
Lynn Anderson has my vote!
Shamefully overlooked are TRUE legends like Skeeter Davis, Jeannie Seely, Liz Anderson, Melba Montgomery, Jeannie C Riley, Dale Evans, June Carter Cash, The Carter Sisters, Goldie Hill, Jan Howard, Donna Fargo, Martha Carson, Tanya Tucker….and more. Time to honor the ladies who paved the way before worrying about those who easily walked the path already carved!
Very well stated and absolutely true.
Lynn Anderson for sure is most famous of all those listed & did so much to further country music on network TV years ago. She’s recognized all over the world.
Second should be Tanya & sure will be very soon. She’s earned her spot & also known all over with her many hits.
Lynn Anderson !!!!!!!!
Why can’t they induct Mickey Gilley? Now he is far more worthy than Jerry Lee Lewis!!!!!!
You must be kidding. Here in Houston we know Mickey’s not much more than a glorified lounge act. He’s cut from that Rodney Crowell, Eddie Raven
Level of talent.
Trisha Yearwood should have been in years ago!!!! Period. She is one of the greatest female vocalist of all time.
The Judds should have been inducted 20 years ago. They were kind overdue as well.
Lindsay, the reason why the Judds weren’t in 20 years ago is that each category has to be performing for a certain amount of years since they started in the business to be eligible. At one modern day, one veteran & one from the rotating category per year, many will never get in where they belong as so many will be eligible to be elected. If they did even two/three a year from each category but the CMHoF is extremely selective unlike the Rock n Roll HoF. There can be up to 10 artists inducted per year.
It Is A SHAME That Jeannie Seely Has Not Been Inducted Into The CMHOF!! Jeannie Seely Is More Than Qualified. She Will Be A 55 Years Member Of The Grand Ole Opry This Year And That Is Just The Beginning Of Her Resume!! To Say Jeannie Seely “Helped Pave The Way For Women In Country Music” Is An Understatement. Induct Jeannie Seely.
Absolutely!
Well, I don’t quite understand why Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline,
Loretta Lynn & Dolly Parton aren’t all in the CMHOF. It’s quite ridiculous to understand.
They are each already inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Karen, there is a complete list of CMHoF members on their site. countrymusichalloffame.org at the top of the screen you will see column headings, click on Hall of Fame & all the members will start appearing. While there is NOT ENOUGH WOMEN in the HoF, it’s still a great list of singers, musicians and non-performing people.
You forgot Crystal Gayle! She was the first female Country artist to go platinum. She definitely deserves a place in the HoF!
Trisha Yearwood
Jeannie Seely and Lynn Anderson are well overdue.
Seely an opry star in Nashville. Lynn Anderson was a world famous country music star with all the awards & hits. No comparison which should go in. Lynn Anderson
Lynn Anderson though they all should be. 😊
Every lady in that list deserves a spot. Boys Club or what?
Shania Twain should have been in the hall of fame years ago 🍁🍁
There’s one on the list that’s never even had a no. 1 record. Some stars have to campaign for the HOF & have a PR agency hired to promote them for the HOF. I feel if they’re worthy they will be noticed. To have one of your accomplishments listed as first to wear a mini skirt on the Opry is pitiful. It’s about the music, records, influence they’ve had. Just because someone has been a member of the Opry 50 yrs & has many friends in there doesn’t mean they should be inducted. Some have a huge ego & promote themselves.
My Opinion.
Also….Wilma Lee Cooper….Wanda Jackson….Rose Maddox
The glaring obvious on this list is LYNN ANDERSON. Most people assume it’s a given she’s in. Shame on the Hall.
I’ll be polite and not name names, but one on this list is kind of a joke. I’ll just say as someone else said, if you’ve never had a #1 record and one of your main achievements is wearing a mini-skirt on the Opry, they shouldn’t be listed among the likes of Tanya Tucker, Lynn Anderson, & Trisha Yearwood.
For every year Trisha Yearwood is not inducted into the CMHOF it undermines the integrity of the whole institution. She should have been inducted long before this. Her music has more than stood the test of time. She is simply the greatest female voice of all time. Induct her please.
surprised to see lynn anderson not in already. would have almost bet my life she was.
I agree with everyone of these comments for males I hope to see Mickey Gilley inducted soon. It’s sad that he sad before he could see that! 🥲
I would of thought Lynn Anderson was in already
Tanya Tucker & Lynn Anderson for sure. Lynn should go before Tanya just because she was a big star first. But Tanya immediately after Lynn.
Jennie Seeley is probably a stretch for the HOF. She was never that big. Other than that I agree with everyone listed on here.
Each year I am so disappointed the great Lynn Anderson is overlooked for induction into the CMHF. It’s so unjust. Lynn literally opened the door to TV for all the above female artists, giving valuable exposure to the talented women of country and to country music in general. She was THE first female country singer to perform on many of the network shows. She was THE first to sell out Madison Square Garden. “Rose Garden” was an international hit. She had several #1 singles and many charted records. And to top it off, she was one heck of an entertainer! When other female artists would simply sing, she would sing and entertain the crowd. The fact she is not in the Country Music Hall of Fame is a terrible oversight, and needs to be corrected ASAP!