Mindy McCready

It's more tragic when it's unexpected, as is the case with these country singers who died before their time.

The best country songs about being a strong woman all have a certain independent spirit in common.

Women have ruled the country charts for decades by singing about far more than just love and heartache.

Mindy McCready's career was as promising as anyone could dream when she released "Ten Thousand Angels" to country radio in 1996.

They have known the pain they sing about.

Tragedy can strike anyone, from a neighbor next door to family members to some of the biggest superstars in the world.

May they rest in peace ...

January 5th 1999 Shania Twain's "You're Still The One" receives Grammy nominations for Record and Song of the Year, while Come On Over is up for Album of the Year.

December 16th, 2010 Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood deliver the first two of nine concerts at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, joined by unannounced guest Steve Wariner.

November 30, 2011 A Nashville judge rules Tim McGraw is free to record for a label other than Curb Records.

2013 was full of tragedy, surprises and celebration -- it seemed a new jaw-dropping news event took place just about every month in country music. Five events make the final cut as nominees for the Headline of the Year Award at the 2014 Taste of Country Awards. Which do you think should win?

It's been almost a week since country singer Mindy McCready tragically took her own life at the tender age of 37. The country music community was rocked to its core over the loss of this once-promising talent who was on a downward spiral in recent years with substance abuse and family issues, hitting rock bottom when her fiance died. Despite the tragedy and the devastation that has ensued, her fam