On Aug. 30, 2002, Country Music Television started its three-part series "The 40 Greatest Women of Country Music," hosted by actor Billy Campbell. Dolly claimed the No. 4 spot, behind Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn, who placed one through three, respectively.
Dolly is interviewed throughout and several of her songs are highlighted, including "Here You Come Again" and "Dumb Blonde." The show also featured interviews with other artists like Emmylou Harris and Barbara Mandrell, who commented on Dolly’s illustrious career and contributions to country music.
According to CMT, the list was selected by hundreds of artists, music historians, music journalists, and music industry professionals who considered 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. Country music historian Robert K. Oerman said of Dolly during the special,
"No one can touch her. No one can touch the hem of her dress as far as I'm concerned."
In 1963, Somerset Records released "Hits Made Famous by Country Queens," a compilation album featuring Dolly Parton and Faye Tucker. Dolly sang six songs including one of her own original tunes. The list included Kitty Wells’ breakthrough song, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." Wells' original 1952 release sold more than 800,000 copies and became the first single by a female artist to top the country music charts.
When asked about Kitty, Dolly said,
"Kitty was the first and only Queen of Country Music, no matter what they call the rest of us."
Click below to listen to free song previews of "Hits Made Famous by Country Queens" on SoundCloud,
Dolly sang Wells’ No. 2 hit, "Making Believe" and "Release Me." Both were songs from her 1955 album "Country Hit Parade." Dolly also recorded "Two Little Orphans" and "Little Blossom," both traditional ballads. The album also included one of Dolly’s own original songs, "Letter to Heaven." Faye Tucker recorded several Patsy Cline hits, including "Walkin' After Midnight," "Crazy" and "I Fall to Pieces."
Kitty Wells, the "Queen of Country Music", was born Ellen Muriel Deason, in Nashville, Tennessee on August 30, 1919. She created the role for all other female country singers. "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" recorded in 1952, was her first number-one song. She was the first female to sell a million records and reach number one in the country field. For 14 consecutive years she was voted the nation's number one "Country Female Artist" by all of the trade publications such as Billboard, Cashbox, Record World and Downbeat Magazine. No other Country female artist has ever topped her achievements.[source]
