Photo by Mississippi Snopes on Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Today we continue continue celebrating gospel music by country artists. This week’s post features music by three popular female singers.
Dolly Parton–He’s everything
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born 1/19/1946) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist. She is known primarily for her work in country music. Dolly began her career as a songwriter for others in the 1960s. She made her singing debut in 1967, with her album Hello, I’m Dolly.
She remained successful throughout the remainder of the 1960s. In addition to her career as a solo artist she also had a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner. Her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Parton’s subsequent albums in the later part of the 1990s were lower in sales. However, in the new millennium, Parton achieved commercial success again and has released albums on independent labels since 2000, including albums on her own label, Dolly Records.
Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum awards. She has
- 25 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record for a female artist (tied with Reba McEntire).
- 41 career top-10 country albums, a record for any artist.
- 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years.
- 47 Grammy nominations.
- Nine Grammy Awards.
- Two Academy Award nominations.
- Ten Country Music Association Awards.
- Seven Academy of Country Music Awards.
- Three American Music Awards.
Dolly is one of seven female artists to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award. In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has composed over 3,000 songs.
She composed “He’s Everything” for the 2012 musical Joyful Noise
Reba McEntire – Softly And Tenderly
Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. While a sophomore in college, she performed the National Anthem at the National Rodeo
By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57215041
in Oklahoma City. Country artist Red Steagall, impressed by her performance, brought her to Nashville, Tennessee.
Often referred to as “The Queen of Country”, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Total sales exceed 95 million records worldwide. McEntire has
- released 29 studio albums,
- acquired 42 number one singles,
- 16 number one albums, and
- 28 albums have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America
Softly and Tenderly” is a Christian hymn. It was composed and written by Will L. Thompson in 1880.
Thompson was a member of the Churches of Christ, where several of his hymns and gospel songs continue in use. “Softly and Tenderly” is the most widely known of his compositions. It is among the most prolifically translated gospel songs.
Martina McBride – Anyway
Martina Mariea McBride (born July 29, 1966) is an American country music singer-songwriter and record producer. She is known for her soprano singing range and her country pop material.
McBride has recorded a total of 13 studio albums, two greatest hits compilations, one “live” album, as well as two additional compilation albums. The RIAA gave eight of her studio albums and two compilations Gold certification, or higher.
In the U.S., she has sold over 14 million albums. In addition, McBride has won the Country Music Association‘s “Female Vocalist of the Year” award four times. (tied with Reba McEntire for the second-most wins). and the Academy of Country Music‘s “Top Female Vocalist. She is also a 14-time Grammy Award nominee.
“Anyway” is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Martina McBride. She released the song in November 2006 following a performance on the 2006 CMA Awards. It served as the lead-off single from her album Waking Up Laughing. McBride wrote the song with The Warren Brothers.
Love these 3 ladies!