Everywhere your turn, the 90s are there. In fashion, movies, music and trends. Country music of the 90s is a trending subject, there are even references in current country songs. Clearly, there is a great respect of modern artists to those country stars they grew up with.
There was a time when women ruled the country radio airwaves. It was the 1990s and the doors were open. There were booming voices, gifted songwriters and the sass factor was on high. So, let’s take a moment and raise a glass to the queens of country, the barrier breakers, record makers and industry shakers!
Cheers to the Ladies of 90s country. (in no particular order)
Shania Twain
She looked like a model, sang like she meant it, and was a powerhouse business woman. She knew what worked. I mean, 11 hit singles on one album! Who does that? Shania does. Or she did in 1997 when she released Come On Over, which went on to become the best selling country album, the best-selling studio album by a female artist and best selling album by a Canadian. Oh, also it’s the 9th all time best selling album in the United States!
The Chicks
They made country cool. Natalie, Emily and Martie empowered women with their lyrics and ability to play a variety of instruments. They went on to become the only country group ever to earn back-to-back RIAA diamond awards. And, they made it all look so fun.
Trisha Yearwood
That voice! Long before she was a bigtime Food Network TV star and wife of Garth, Trisha first blew us away when she released, “She’s in Love with the Boy” in 1991. She went on to have a string of hits in the 90s and into the 2000s. But it was her version of “How Do I Live” that got her noticed in the movie world and was chosen for the soundtrack to the hit movie, Con Air. It went on to win a Grammy Award in 1997 for Best Female Vocal Country Performance.
Faith Hill
Who could breathe when Faith Hill sang “Breathe?” It was perfection. Add to it her video of beautiful images, and her stunning looks and you’ve got a career making hit. How could one person be gifted with so much? And then marry Tim McGraw. There was lots of love for Faith.
Martina McBride
Like Trisha and Faith, Martina was a vocal powerhouse and could belt out anything. Her range was truly impressive. She was famous for saying, “I’m little but I’m loud.” And Martina’s signature short hair cut had everyone running to salons. Her voice was heard loud and clear when she empowered women with her song, “Independence Day,” speaking out against domestic violence.
Jo Dee Messina
Shout out to the underrated Holliston native. Jo Dee was just ahead of her time, honestly. She was gritty, but beautifully and powerfully connected with every song. If you listen to Hillary Scott (from Lady A) and then Jo Dee, there are eerie similarities. Jo Dee knew how to bring the sass!
Deana Carter
When you are bold enough to title your debut album, Did I Shave My Legs for This, you know the artist is going to be a barrier breaker. And that Deana did. She even accepted her CMA award for Song of the Year barefoot, and jumped into the unexpecting presenter’s arms. “Strawberry Wine” hit a chord with everyone, and cemented her place in country music history.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Dang, there were some amazing women making music in Nashville in the 90s. Prolific songwriter and engaging performer, Mary Chapin Carpenter was an Ivy League girl gone country. She graduated from Brown University in Providence with a degree in American Civilization. Carpenter racked up hit after in the 90s with a slew of top 10 hits from “I Feel Lucky” to her Grammy winning performance for “Down at the Twist and Shout” and “Passionate Kisses.” But it was her 1994 release, “Shut Up and Kiss Me” that earned MCC her first and only #1 hit.
Patty Loveless
This name was likely googled a lot after the 2022 CMA Awards and her stunning performance with Chris Stapleton.
Although Patty Loveless’ career really kicked off in the 1980s. Some of her biggest hits came in the 90s. Stand out hits include, “How Can I Help You Say Goodbye,” “I Try To Think About Elvis,” “Lonely Too Long,’ and “You Can Feel Bad. ” But it was “Blame It On Your Heart,” her 1993 #1 hit that put Patty on a higher level.
Reba McEntire
We you scrolling along wondering… where in the world is Reba? Here she is! With 24 number one singles in hand. That’s the 2nd most #1s by a female artist, just behind Dolly Parton. Reba also holds the record for the most top 10 hits by a female country artist, surpassing Dolly’s record. Go Reba! One of her biggest hits of the 90s came early in the decade, in 1991, and has become her signature hit. The “Fancy” really showcased McEntire’s acting skills.
Leann Rimes
At the launch of her career in 1996, Leann Rimes was not a “lady of 90s country.” She was a girl; A 13 year old girl! And there she was with this booming Patsy Cline kind of voice, and a traditional sounding hit. “Blue” would become her signature song, but it was far from her biggest on the charts. It went top 10, but it launched a long and successful career that inspired many other young girls to purse their dreams.
Wynonna
With the help of her mother, Wynonna was a force in the late 1980s with the Judds. On her own in the 1990s, Wynonna shined as a solo performer and became one of the best selling artists of all time and a world class live performer. As a solo artist Wynonna scored 4 #1 hits and 7 top 10s. Her signature growl and emotional vocal delivery was legendary.