Now I’m talking to the true-bled outlaw country boys and girls. The ones who know country music are more than songs on the radio to true fans; they can spot a “Nashville wanna-be” from a mile away, which has no place here.
It is so easy to see our redneck boys in country music Luke Combs, Riley Green, Randy Houser, Travis Tritt, the list goes on and on. The abundance of redneck men has made it a stereotype. But for women, what does it mean? It’s 2024; “redneck” no longer means they have to be walking around in daisy duke shorts and tied-up flannel to be a farmer’s daughter. Our tractors, though way sexier, aren’t what our songs are about.
With the surge of fans flocking to country music, defining it is becoming increasingly crucial. The beautiful thing about the genre is that it has become a melting pot. Nashville bro-country, red dirt outlaw, blues, and rock all influence the southern genre. It has become a spectrum of different sub-genres. But the women don’t have the same fluidity as Post Malone or Morgan Wallen. Part of the wonder of redneck culture is how one rarely strays from their roots. Even Taylor Swift and Beyonce could never make the full switch because their lifestyles aren’t compatible with the substance of country lyricism.
Though redneck women can write and sing of fishing and hometown bars, the reason they write isn’t just to express love or gratitude for the God-given blessings but something more profound.
Understanding how it has shaped their lives and led them to where they are. A big part of redneck country music is how the lyrics flow from notepad to the stage. As time changes and expectations for how women in the music scene should act, there must be strong female artists in the scene who define what it means to be a “redneck woman.”
To talk about what it is, we must also note what it is not. Although there are huge names, from Patsy Cline to Trisha Yearwood, who has done more for country music, they didn’t meet the standard of my redneck women.
The standard? The wildest and honest parts of Miley Cyrus and the Southern storytelling and flair of Dolly Parton. Together they make the perfect redneck woman, reckless, confident, transparent, ambitious, and fearless. Those two are the power duo of what it means to redneck. With roots in the past and eyes on innovation, there’s nothing those two couldn’t do.
Today, Lana Del Rey is close to the redneck country music aesthetic, even though it’s easy to see that she doesn’t have the music or roots to be really in the country music conversation yet. At the same time, Carrie Underwood and Megan Moroney do not have the same edgy persona. They have the songwriting ability and voice of the redneck women.
They will be worried about the cops if we start slashing tires and setting fires. Ready for any circumstance, they are reliable and kind. They are the southern belles of country music. They are an outlet for women in the country, pride, anger, joy, pain, hurt, love, and loss, but it’s not a redneck. They will always be the homecoming queen, the perfect “All-American Girl,” while the rest of us barely made it through high school.
There are decades of country music filled with trailblazing female artists with the same passion for their craft as their male counterparts. Lady Antebellum, Ashley McBryde, Kacey Musgraves, Jo De Messina, Maddie & Tae, and so many other contenders who have the strong vocals and the lyrics to match, but at the end of the day, I just can’t put them in the “redneck woman” category.
To be a redneck woman is a blessing and a curse. You won’t know you had her until you’re alone, watching her ride away into a sunset you seemed to miss. You could bum a cigarette outside while gossiping about your ex-husband. The real redneck would offer up a light and the kerosene. Tequila & whiskey may be scary to some, but to us, it is the perfect recipe to dance, cry, party, rage, laugh, and love. All without an ounce of judgment or suggestion of therapy.
The Reddest, Neckiest Women of Country Music
10. Grace Potter
Potter is a fundamentally important pick because she is the perfect example of what it means to be a redneck woman leaving her mark on a very exclusive band of boys. An underrated draft pick, she first came across my radio in 2011 with Kenny Chesney’s “You and Tequila.”
She had a beautiful voice, but life tore her down with tragedy and depression that only the road and a guitar could fix. A real-life Stevie Nicks, she was in a rock band for over ten years, but the band dispersed after the divorce between Potter and her drummer. Yet, the end of that relationship was just the beginning for her in the country music scene. After a cross-country trip, we got Grace Potter’s comeback album, Mother Roads. Her vocals in “Ready Set Go” at the album’s beginning set its tone. She is not running away but running and writing her answers as a true cowboy does. She is not bound to any genre or shrinking herself to fit in a box, still, with some help from women like Kacey Musgraves and Maren Morris, Mother Roads. It is her redneck masterpiece. With her hair wild and free, riding down Route 66, she reminds us that sometimes the only answer is the open road.
9. Ella Langley
If Grace Potter is the emotional rock and roll with the redneck spirit bubbling underneath, Ella Langley is her bold, breakthrough counterpart. It’s a more mainstream pick that I would defend strongly. Standing firm in who she is, she does not back down from a fight. Her physical appearance, strong stance, and confidence in her bell bottoms are nothing compared to what happens when that beautiful woman holds a pen. Her songwriting ability has proven robust through the years. She is consistent with who she is. Though new to the scene, she’s no doubt redneck.
In her words, “She’s also a straight-shootin’ songwriter who pulls no punches when it comes to life, love, and everything else under the sun. Spiking her unfiltered true stories with unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll grit and unassuming pop appeal, she’s quietly emerged as a phenomenon with millions of streams and a growing fan base.” And you know what? I think it’s a pretty accurate description.
“Look Like You Love Me” is the most beautiful tribute to both duet love songs and spoken word in country songs, displaying the poetic side so obviously. As “hungover” points to lyrically. Even in the video, the visualizer for the album is straight-shooting. There are no gimmicks with Ella Langley. She will tell you how it is. Though the album checks all the boxes for a Nashville hit, and she has a rough and tough exterior rock and roll sound, none of it is enough to hide the redneck underneath.
8. Loretta Lynn
Lynn is such a big name and often gets overpassed in the name of the greats. Still, I cannot continue without introducing one of the best ways to do it. She represented the beginning of an era. “Redneck” was not even a true term for farmers yet. Loretta experienced the early struggles of women in country music alongside some of the greatest names ever: Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker, and Tammy Wynette. “Dear Uncle Sam” was her first self-written song about the Vietnam War. “The Pill,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and “Rated X” her flair, her wittiness, her bravery, her story, all of it has to be recognized. Many could be argued from the time, but I will die on this hill. She was simply a trailblazer; we wouldn’t have the music we do now without her.
7. Maggie Antone
My favorite delusional cowgirl. She may not know who she is, but she is on a beautiful journey to find it, taking pride in where she comes from. The Virginian has a hippy-dippy vibe that pairs so well with Marlboro reds. Maggie Antone writes for this generation, which is struggling with situations and cowboys we will never meet.
Maggie is Gen X’s redneck woman. She got her start on TikTok, being so effortlessly transparent about her love life, songwriting, and social environment. That was all I needed to see to be able to classify her as a redneck in the best way, making everyone want to be her best friend, spending nights at karaoke bars singing Patsy Cline. The redneck spirit is alive in her kitchen right next to her Crown Royal and a pack of cigarettes. Recently, the collaborations she has chosen have also been exciting, supporting Winchester 49 and Willow Avalon. The sound of both is so rich in what country music should be. One of the other newer artists who have so much room to grow into the bold redneck singer with her debut album releasing in the next month.
6. Morgan Wade
A hesitation hits to give Wade the #6 spot because she’s never boxed into one genre. However, is that enough to count her out? To me, there is no one more deserving. I take huge pride in the fact that she grew up not 30 minutes away from my small town in Southern Virginia, out in the country area of Floyd, VA. At Floydfest in 2018, she showcased a voice so raw and had a twang that many could only dream of. Wade put together a band off of Craigslist; 3 years later, after struggling with addiction, Wade dropped “Wilder Days,” which put her on the Hot 100.
The rough edges of Wade are so vibrant in her music, but the words she speaks to listeners are raw and open. She comes from a state heavy in Appalachia roots, but she adds her flair with a little rock kick; that is the musical space in which my true redneck country women thrive. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and listeners can see that. The latest album, Psychopath, is perfect for the girls to dance to in the kitchen.
5. Kat Hasty
Hasty’s lyrics give her fans an insight into her struggles with addiction and family issues. From West Texas, she released her first album. Though lowkey, it was hit after hit for an entirely self-written album. She explores many difficult themes, and her voice hears the following emotions beautifully. She is learning who she speaks to and for in her truthful songs. Hasty’s songs are true to her family roots, addressing generational wounds with respect and love for each. Without them, we wouldn’t have “Midland” or “Family Business.”
Along with some of the other newer artists, she has the opportunity to grow into their sound as more albums come out, but she is in the early stages of what I hope is a long career. An undoubtedly redneck woman in the most beautiful way, her style, lyrics, sound, and story all point to redneck. Hasty is our black cat redneck cowgirl, a proud oil rigger’s daughter with things to say. Her early work and personality have secured her on this list. I am expecting big things to come for Kat Hasty in her career in redneck country music.
4. Lainey Wilson
There is something about Lainey Wilson; she understands the country music scene like no one else does. With seven certified hits, Wilson is always playing with traditional styles with a modern take. Wilson is one hell of a songwriter and one of the most fun to watch perform—an easy choice for all those who love country music. To me, it was truly in Yellowstone that she secured her place for good. The seemingly down-to-earth, relatable redneck queen made it into both the Grand Ole Opry and one of the best television shows. Her “Strawberry Wine” tribute transformed into a huge hit, inspiring her declaration that “country’s cool again.”
As her fame rises, Lainey Wilson can enter a level of stardom that could make her music feel inauthentic or fake. However, as time has told, the Georgia native still pays her respects to the greats while creating a sound that has been heard for a long time. Her songwriting abilities put her over the top, real and raw; she writes for the girls who grew up listening to real country music.
3. The Chicks (Formerly Dixie Chicks)
Their political background and stance on such matters are irrelevant to this list. What does matter here is the confidence to bring them to the stage. The Chicks spent most of their career performing edgy songs that get the crowd to feel something greater than themselves, and they did it well. From Earl to Busch, to feel the Chicks’ wrath is something to fear truly. From the stage to the new day and age of social media, the women of The Chicks were bold with their words, knowing their power. Whether you agree or not, issues that seemed so taboo were still being talked about. Some songs seem silly or fun, but The Chicks always seemed to be aware of the weight of the topics that were being discussed by their fans. With their attitude and grit, they have secured a place in history with absolute bangers, no matter the personal opinions of the group themselves.
The Chicks still stand on business after recent years and a whole group rebranding. Times have changed, and social standards when it comes to angry women are still very much palpable. Yet still, the group came back with Gaslighter 14 years after their biggest hit. Though not the greatest of their music, their ferocity and passion are undeniable. The Chicks never needed a cowboy to take them away; they just needed a little open space to grow.
2. Miranda Lambert
An obvious choice, Lambert has earned her place at #2. She came onto the scene young and powerful, confidently, and stayed true to who she was over the years. Lambert has never backed down from the challenges and changes over the years. She was given the chance to build the foundation for women in redneck music from day one. Her sound, style, lyrics, and energy have always been Miranda, unapologetically herself. From a life of marriage and divorce, she was continuously questioned and prodded by the media, but she remained resilient in the face of it all.
Women who grew up on Lambert can agree; it wasn’t about her being the loudest voice but about how she knew who she was and refused to allow anyone to tell her otherwise. Whether it was on the stage solo, with Pistol Annies, or this past year with Lainey Wilson, she has been able to watch her redneck spirit come to life in all aspects of her life, so I proudly put her at #2.
1. Gretchen Wilson
The internet’s favorite, “Mee-maw,” tops the list at #1. She transformed “Redneck Woman” into something so empowering. She was the fun one; we all want to be around her; no one cares what she thinks about you. Come as you are and leave with a smile on your face. No shiny things, no fame, nothing can take her from her roots. She wants to give all those lower and middle-class women a role model to look up to and a night full of fun and love.
Wilson is a figure many young girls who are becoming women can relate to. She made the dirt and rust of the underdogs into a badge of honor. The pride felt during her performances was monumental to a generation of women. These redneck country women have all felt the love and fun that she provides at some point in their lives. She consistently brings it to her music in a way I have not seen since. She welcomes you to the redneck yacht club of life with an open spot for you and your best friends.
