The Women of Southern Songbirds

Patsy Montana:

In 1935, Patsy Montana became the first woman in country music to have a million-selling record. The song was "Cowboy's Sweetheart", and it spoke of an independent cowgirl riding the range with her cowboy equal. Patsy Montana has had a long and successful recording career, which began with the WLS National Barndance in Chicago in the early 1930's and continued until she passed away in 1996. Although Patsy Montana was one of the first female solo performers to break that trail, she paved the way for generations of women performers, from Patsy Cline to Dolly Parton. She is probably the main reason Country and Western are still uttered in the same breath and one still sees cowgirl outfits at country concerts.

Audio Sample (Real Audio G2)

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© 2007 Coast Ridge Productions
Rachel Anne Goodman