Today's female artists have several of their predecessors to thank for the freedom they now have in country music. It was the bravery of the women who came before them that gave them the freedom to be the kind of artists they want to be. We take a closer look at four of the bravest female artists in country music.
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1. Loretta Lynn
It's hard to think of an artist who is braver than Loretta Lynn. Not only did Lynn embrace her rural roots, in an era where country music was trying to be polished and sophisticated, but she also sang about whatever she wanted to sing about.
Case in point: her 1975 single, "The Pill." The song, about the then-controversial topic of birth control, was actually recorded in 1972, but not released until three years later, after her record label balked at the song. "The Pill" only reached No. 5 on the charts, since some radio stations found it too scandalous to play.
"You know I sung it three times at the Grand Ole Opry one night," Lynn later said (via American Songwriter). "And I found out a week later that the Grand Ole Opry had a three-hour meeting, and they weren't going to let me [sing it]. If they hadn't let me sing the song, I'd have told them to shove the Grand Ole Opry."
2. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton could have had a successful career by riding on the coattails of her former boss, Porter Wagoner. Parton was part of the popular TV show, The Porter Wagoner Show, for seven years, and could have stayed even longer. But Parton wanted to have success on her own, and left in 1974.
At the time, women were not yet receiving the same opportunities or pay as their male counterparts, so Parton's decision to leave was bold - and likely considered foolish by some. But Parton back then knew what she still knows more than 50 years later, which is that her instincts are likely correct.
Parton's iconic "I Will Always Love You" was written as a farewell to Wagoner. The song became one of Parton's biggest hits, with Parton going on to have one of the most legendary careers in country music.
3. Jeannie Seely
Dozens of women have Jeannie Seely to thank, even if they may be unaware of it. Seely, who is the artist with most appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, was a trailblazer at the Opry not once, but twice. Seely is the first female artist to ever to host segments at the Opry.. She also is the first female artist to wear a miniskirt on the stage, adamantly refusing to adhere to a dress code created by men.
"The changes weren't for me," Seely tells MusicRow. "They were for all of us. They were for the show. There weren't many women [in the cast] when I came here — Loretta, Jean Shepard, Wilma Lee Cooper, Connie Smith. But they made it look like we weren't as important to the show [as men]. You're ignoring half the people who come to the show, who listen, who buy the tickets."
4. Shania Twain
Shania Twain unapologetically changed country music. With deep roots in the genre, Twain was also married to Mutt Lange, a rock producer and songwriter, when she started releasing albums. Not only did Twain boldly add rock production to her country-tinged lyrics, but she also dared to bare her midriff both on stage and in her videos.
"I was criticized as an artist," Twain admits (via Country Living). "I'm surprised I ever had any hits actually when I read them now. So for example, part of the quote from one of my reviews was, 'She's America's best-paid lap dancer in Nashville. She's hot, but can she sing? Is Shania just a flash in the pan? The most famous midriff in Nashville.' So yeah, I ended up having hits anyway. Very satisfying. ... I was a little bit hurt, I guess, at the harsh critics, not focusing on the music."
