Stephanie Vander Wel, an associate professor of music at the University of Buffalo, discusses the careers of prominent female country singers including Patsy Montana, Lulu BelleWiseman, Rose Maddox and Kitty Wells (but seemingly not Molly O’Day) through their recordings and television appearances, demonstrating the “many ways in which women were fundamental to the musical development of country music within specific geographical locales” (quoting the author).

This well written book is extensively researched with copious endnotes, and is not only informative but easy to read as well.