LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes took the country world by storm with her powerful vocals that drew comparisons to the work of legendary torch singer Patsy Cline. Her award-winning debut album, Blue (1996), coupled with an irresistible Southern girl-next-door charm, earned Rimes much critical and commercial praise. The recording industry awarded the singer with the 1997 Grammy for Best New Artist, an honor that launched her successful crossover into pop music territory. Rimes churned out one memorable hit song after another, including the 1997 power ballad "How Do I Live" and the inspirational 2000 track "I Need You." Her career was also rocked by controversy, from a lawsuit she filed against her own father and record label in the early 2000s to a highly publicized extramarital affair with actor Eddie Cibrian, followed by a 2009 divorce from her husband of eight years. Through all her career highs and personal lows, however, Rimes always sang with great skill and conviction, making millions of fans believe in the power of her particular music.