CMT: Country Music Television has revealed its elite list of the "40 Greatest Women Of Country Music," which was selected by hundreds of artists, music historians, music journalists, and music industry professionals — looking at every aspect of what a great artist is — from her musically groundbreaking body of work to her overall contributions to the ever-changing world of country music.
The 40 "greatest women of country music" come from every corner of country music including the very roots of the genre. The list illustrates the enormous depth and variety that country music embodies. These 40 women have blazed trails on Broadway, in comedy, rock & roll, bluegrass, alternative country, film, and television — all while making indelible marks on the face and sound of country music.
The 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, according to singers, songwriters, music critics and music industry professionals all over America, are (in alphabetical order):
Lynn Anderson
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Maybelle Carter
June Carter Cash
Roseanne Cash
Patsy Cline
Dixie Chicks
Dale Evans
Crystal Gayle
Emmylou Harris
Faith Hill
Wanda Jackson
The Judds
Alison Krauss
kd lang
Brenda Lee
Patty Loveless
Loretta Lynn
Barbara Mandrell
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Patsy Montana
Lorrie Morgan
Anne Murray
K.T. Oslin
Dolly Parton
Minnie Pearl
LeAnn Rimes
Linda Ronstadt
Connie Smith
Pam Tillis
Tanya Tucker
Shania Twain
Cindy Walker
Kitty Wells
Dottie West
Lucinda Williams
Lee Ann Womack
Tammy Wynette
Trisha Yearwood
