This One’s For the Girls: A Look At The Females Who Ruled Country Music In 2015

This year brought the infamous #Saladgate debate where radio consultant Keith Hill said male musicians are the “lettuce” of country music’s salad and to increase listenership, deejays should stop playing females, who he referred to as the “tomatoes” of said salad.

“If you want to make ratings in country radio, take females out,” Hill told Country Aircheck.

While it was a hotly disputed topic throughout much of 2015, this year several females broke records, topped the charts and graced the airwaves proving that women are much more than simply the tomatoes in a salad. Often, the women on the radio are the inspiration for a young girl to follow her dream of a music career. Sometimes those women simply sing a song that help another female get through her day. Women need to hear other females on the radio and thanks to some of the outstanding lady singers in country music, 2015 wasn’t so bleak.

Below are 15 women, who, despite being called tomatoes, continue to release music and inspire us all to join forces and believe — as Beyoncé has boldly stated time and time again — that girls do, in fact, run the world. Move over lettuce, the tomatoes prove to be the tastier option in any salad.

1. Ashley Monroe
Ashley’s unique voice blends traditional and modern country effortlessly and in addition to releasing her own music, she has collaborated with BFFs Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley as the Pistol Annies whose combined talents threaten any and all of their male contemporaries.

2. Cam
One of country music’s newest voices, Cam’s breathtaking single “Burning House” has the girls and guys equally raving about her. The success of the song also made Cam the only female country artist to release a single in 2015 and have it RIAA-certified Gold. With her debut album Untamed dropping this month, she’s a name that won’t be disappearing any time soon.

3. Carrie Underwood
Carrie has 22 No. 1 singles to her name and the new mom recently released Storyteller, which also happened to make her the only artist in the 51-year history of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart to have each of her first six albums debut at No. 1. Not just the only female, but the only artist to accomplish this impressive feat. Move over, boys!

4. Dolly Parton
Dolly has slowly built her empire over the past five decades to include music, film, books, TV, a theme park and much, much more. Never a part of the boys club, Dolly famously said goodbye to Porter Wagoner to pursue a solo career and has since become the most honored female artist having garnered nominations from the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards and Emmy Awards.

5. Jana Kramer
Jana is a triple threat. The actress, singer and songwriter continues to make a name for herself in the country world with her poignant single “I Got the Boy” which is currently in the Top 15 and climbing. A song that equally touches the guys and the girls, the soon-to-be-mom manages to emote heartbreak and moving on effortlessly throughout the song.

6. Jennifer Nettles
There isn’t much Jennifer can’t accomplish. Whether it’s Broadway, a solo career, or hosting the CMA Country Christmas special year after year, she somehow also manages to juggle motherhood and a busy work schedule flawlessly. That in and of itself is setting a good example for women.

7. Kacey Musgraves
Kacey is country music’s female outlaw. Never afraid to try something new or walk away from the pack, her colorful personality, memorable stage costumes and fierce personality make her a role model for every girl trying to be herself.

8. Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea soared to No. 1 with her debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It” earlier this year and her latest single “Dibs” may follow suit. A positive role model for young girls everywhere, Kelsea is taking over the hole that Taylor Swift left and is inspiring a new group of women to follow their dreams with her contagious personality and huge heart.

9. Lauren Alaina
The American Idol alum came out with a fierce new EP this year that held empowering anthems for women everywhere. Like Carrie before her, Lauren inspires girls to continue singing and auditioning for those talent competitions for their shot at the big time.

10. Maddie & Tae
The combined talents of Maddie & Tae is a force to reckon with. The duo rose to No. 1 earlier this year with their tongue-in-cheek “Girl In a Country Song” which played role reversal on all the country stereotypes making both the guys and girls take notice. Heartwarming follow-up single “Fly” and the hilarious new “Shut Up and Fish” prove that this duo is much more than a one hit wonder.

11. Martina McBride
Martina was the first female artist to speak out against Keith Hill’s offensive “tomato” remark, asking females how they felt about his statement. “I especially want to hear from the females,” she wrote on Facebook. “Do you not like to hear other women singing about what you are going through as women? I’m really curious. Because to me, country music is about relating.” As an artist and role model, Martina has been making music and inspiring girls for over three decades and as an advocate for females, she continued the conversation that Hill started and helped create a movement of female empowerment with her own tomato t-shirts.

12. Mickey Guyton
One of the most promising new voices in country music, Mickey made history earlier this year by achieving the biggest radio debut with her single “Better Than You Left Me.” Her powerhouse vocals landed her on tour with Brad Paisley and it’s safe to say this is only the beginning for Mickey.

13. Miranda Lambert
When she’s not making music, touring or being an animal advocate, Miranda is uplifting the women around her. This year, she brought back her Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour with up-and-comers RaeLynn, Clare Dunn and Courtney Cole, along with BFF Ashley Monroe. The six-time CMA Vocalist of the Year winner is one of the most played female artists on today’s country radio, giving girls everywhere a strong female musical role model.

14. RaeLynn
RaeLynn rose to national attention thanks to her bubbly personality and impressive vocal chops on Season 2 of The Voice under the mentorship of Blake Shelton. Since then, she has created a name for herself with her latest singles “God Made Girls” and “For a Boy” and always puts us in a good mood with her striking fashion sense, quirky tweets and endless selfies.

15. Reba
Reba has had a successful career for four decades and whether it’s singing, acting or hosting awards shows, the fiery redhead always knows how to brighten up a room. Earlier this year, Reba released her 27th studio album Love Somebody and her single “Going Out Like That” continues to inspire women everywhere to move on from that ex and keep living their lives on their own terms. With women like Reba around, country music will always be in good hands.