Music is often reflective of the time and places it was created. Folk music is no different, with its roots in oral tradition and storytelling. For centuries, it has been used to express human experience. For instance, Woody Guthrie, considered the first notable artist to make a huge contribution to the genre, produced works that centred on the struggle of the working class in the Dust Bowl Midwest.

In recent years, it has seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the success of artists like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers. But what about the women players who have helped shape this genre? Here are four of the most influential female folk artists of all time.

1. Kathleen Ferrier

Kathleen Ferrier was born on April 1912 in the village of Street, Lancashire, England. Her father was a bank manager, and her mother was a schoolteacher. Ferrier showed an early interest in music and started piano and violin lessons early. She later attended the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 1935, she won a singing competition, which led to her first professional engagement. She made her debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1936.

Ferrier’s career as a folk artist began in the 1940s. She became known for her interpretation of British folk songs. She also recorded several albums of Scottish and Irish folk songs. In addition to her work as a folk singer, she was one of the first classical artists to cross over into the folk genre.

As published here, Ferrier died of cancer on October 27, 1953, at 41. Her recordings continue to be released posthumously, and she’s considered one of the essential British singers of the 20th century.

2. Joan Baez

Joan Baez was born on January 09, 1941, in Staten Island, New York. Her father was a physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project while her mother was a folk singer. Baez began playing the guitar at an early age and started performing in clubs and coffeehouses in her teens. In 1959, she released her self-titled debut album, which featured traditional folk songs.

In the early 1960s, Baez became involved in the civil rights and anti-war movements. She performed at protest rallies and benefit concerts. Her music began to reflect her political beliefs. In 1964, she released her second album, Joan Baez in Concert, Pt. One, which included the song ‘We Shall Overcome.’ The album was a commercial success and helped raise awareness of the civil rights movement.

In recent years, Baez has continued to perform and record music. She has been active in environmental and human rights causes as well. In 2017, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.

3. The Good Lovelies

The Good Lovelies are a Canadian folk trio formed in 2006. This group comprises Carol Lynne Tuynman, Kerri Ough, and Sue Passmore. The Good Lovelies began their career as folk artists, performing at small venues and festivals.

In 2009, the three released their self-titled debut album, garnering critical acclaim. They won the Juno Award for Best New Group the following year. Since then, they have released four more albums, all of which have been met with high praise.

In 2021, the Good Lovelies Christmas Tour was held, with the group performing at Massey Hall in Toronto. That was the first time the Good Lovelies headlined at Massey Hall.

The group has been featured on CBC’s The Vinyl Cafe and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and are currently working on their sixth studio album, which will be released this year.

4. Nanci Griffith

Music is good for your health, and Nanci Griffith is one American singer-songwriter who has continued to deliver the kind of music that soothes you. She was born on July 06, 1953, in Seguin, Texas. Griffith began playing the guitar at the age of eight. She formed a folk band called The Western Union Band in high school.

Griffith released her debut album, A Long Way Home, in 1978. The album was not commercially successful, but it won critical acclaim. In 1984, she released her second album, Last of the True Believers. This album featured the song ‘From a Distance,’ which Bette Midler would later popularize.

Griffith has released thirteen studio albums throughout her career. In 2002, she scooped a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album for her album, Winter Marquee. She continues to tour and perform throughout the United States. She’s working on a new album, which is set to be released later this year.

Final Word

Folk music has been around for many years, and it remains popular today because of artists like The Good Lovelies. So, if you want to try exploring a different genre, you should check out the works of these top female folk artists.

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Trish Cassling

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Toronto Music Blogger