Essays on country women go beyond traditional narratives

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A new collection of personal essays on the transformative impact of women in country music has come out. "Woman Walk the Line" features writings by Taylor Swift, Rosanne Cash, Alice Randall, historian Holly George Warren and Grace Potter.

Topics range from country music matriarchs Maybelle Carter, Hazel Dickens and Loretta Lynn, to superstars like Dolly Parton and Shania Twain.

Each of the 27 essays focuses on the experience of when music was a savior, an inspiration or an acknowledgment of a deep and personal truth.

The book was edited by music critic and consultant Holly Gleason and published by the University of Texas Press.