While culture is not the largest of U.S. exports, it has had the most pronounced and observable effect on the world. Global entertainment is dominated by U.S.-produced art, with music as a leading form. From rock and roll to rap music to pop, the world loves American music.
American music is not itself a distinct genre. The country’s evolving history and Americans’ varied experiences have influenced art in different ways — over the years and across states. Each U.S. state has produced musicians who — to varying degrees — have attained some level of fame.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of data indicative of popularity to identify the most famous musician from each state.
Click here to see the most famous musician from each state.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: JNix / Shutterstock.com
50. Alabama
> Artist: Hank Williams
> Album sales: N/A
> Top track: Father & Son
> Place of birth: Mount Olive
> Active: 1930s – 1950s
[in-text-ad]
Source: Bruce / Flickr
49. Alaska
> Artist: John Gourley
> Album sales: N/A
> Top track: Evil Friends (Portugal. The Man)
> Place of birth: Wasilla
> Active: 2000s – present
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Carl Lender / Wikimedia Commons
48. Arizona
> Artist: Linda Ronstadt
> Album sales: 30 million
> Top track: You’re No Good
> Place of birth: Tucson
> Active: 1960s – present
Source: Dillan Stradlin / Wikimedia Commons
47. Arkansas
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Album sales: 23.5 million
> Top track: A Boy Named Sue
> Place of birth: Kingsland
> Active: 1950s – 2000s
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
46. California
> Artist: Brian Wilson
> Album sales: 22.5 million (The Beach Boys)
> Top track: Caroline, No
> Place of birth: Inglewood
> Active: 1960s – present
Source: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com
45. Colorado
> Artist: Jello Biafra
> Album sales: 0.5 million (Dead Kennedys)
> Top track: N/A
> Place of birth: Boulder
> Active: 1970s – 2000s
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
44. Connecticut
> Artist: Michael Bolton
> Album sales: 28 million
> Top track: How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
> Place of birth: New Haven
> Active: 1970s – present
24/7 Wall St.
Source: CarlaVanWagoner / Shutterstock.com
43. Delaware
> Artist: George Thorogood
> Album sales: 5 million
> Top track: Born To Be Bad
> Place of birth: Wilmington
> Active: 1970s – present
Source: Jack Fordyce / Shutterstock.com
42. Florida
> Artist: Tom Petty
> Album sales: 31.5 million
> Top track: Free Fallin
> Place of birth: Gainesville
> Active: 1970s – present
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Maurice Seymour / Wikimedia Commons
41. Georgia
> Artist: Ray Charles
> Album sales: 7.5 million
> Top track: I Can’t Stop Loving You
> Place of birth: Albany
> Active: 1940s – 2000s
Source: a katz / Shutterstock.com
40. Hawaii
> Artist: Bette Midler
> Album sales: 12 million
> Top track: Wind Beneath My Wings
> Place of birth: Honolulu
> Active: 1970s – present
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kurt Christensen / Wikimedia Commons
39. Idaho
> Artist: Josh Ritter
> Album sales: N/A
> Top track: So Runs The World Away
> Place of birth: Moscow
> Active: 1990s – present
Source: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com
38. Illinois
> Artist: R. Kelly
> Album sales: 32 million
> Top track: Bump N Grind
> Place of birth: Chicago
> Active: 1990s – present
Source: Vicki L. Miller / Shutterstock.com
37. Indiana
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Album sales: 81 million
> Top track: Beat It
> Place of birth: Gary
> Active: 1960s – 2000s
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Charles A. / Wikimedia Commons
36. Iowa
> Artist: Andy Williams
> Album sales: 10.5 million
> Top track: Can’t Get Used To Losing You
> Place of birth: Wall Lake
> Active: 1940s – 2010s
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
35. Kansas
> Artist: Martina McBride
> Album sales: 14 million
> Top track: I Love You
> Place of birth: Medicine Lodge
> Active: 1990s – present
[in-text-ad]
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
34. Kentucky
> Artist: Loretta Lynn
> Album sales: 4 million
> Top track: The Pill
> Place of birth: Butcher Hollow
> Active: 1960s – present
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
33. Louisiana
> Artist: Tim McGraw
> Album sales: 37.5 million
> Top track: Let Me Love You
> Place of birth: Delhi
> Active: 1990s – present
Source: Joy Fera / Shutterstock.com
32. Maine
> Artist: Patty Griffin
> Album sales: N/A
> Top track: Children Running Through
> Place of birth: Old Town
> Active: 1990s – present
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
31. Maryland
> Artist: Toni Braxton
> Album sales: 19.5 million
> Top track: Un-Break My Heart
> Place of birth: Severn
> Active: 1980s – present
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
30. Massachusetts
> Artist: James Taylor
> Album sales: 33 million
> Top track: You’ve Got A Friend
> Place of birth: Boston
> Active: 1960s – present
[in-text-ad]
Source: yakub88 / Shutterstock.com
29. Michigan
> Artist: Madonna
> Album sales: 64.5 million
> Top track: Take A Bow
> Place of birth: Bay City
> Active: 1980s – present
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
28. Minnesota
> Artist: Bob Dylan
> Album sales: 36 million
> Top track: Like A Rolling Stone
> Place of birth: Duluth
> Active: 1960s – present
Source: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
27. Mississippi
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Album sales: 136 million
> Top track: Suspicious Minds
> Place of birth: Tupelo
> Active: 1950s – 1970s
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Mika-photography / Wikimedia Commons
26. Missouri
> Artist: Eminem
> Album sales: 44.5 million
> Top track: The Monster
> Place of birth: St. Joseph
> Active: 1990s – present
Source: Craig Carper / Wikimedia Commons
25. Montana
> Artist: Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)
> Album sales: 31.5 million (Pearl Jam)
> Top track: Last Kiss
> Place of birth: Havre
> Active: 1990s – present
[in-text-ad]
Source: Eagles Online Central
24. Nebraska
> Artist: Randy Meisner (Eagles)
> Album sales: 101 million (Eagles)
> Top track: Hotel California
> Place of birth: Scottsbluff
> Active: 1960s – 2000s
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
23. Nevada
> Artist: Brandon Flowers (The Killers)
> Album sales: 4.5 million (The Killers)
> Top track: Mr. Brightside
> Place of birth: Henderson
> Active: 2000s – present
Source: mtarvainen / Flickr
22. New Hampshire
> Artist: GG Allin
> Album sales: N/A
> Top track: N/A
> Place of birth: Lancaster
> Active: 1970s – 1990s
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Jack Fordyce / Shutterstock.com
21. New Jersey
> Artist: Bruce Springsteen
> Album sales: 65.5 million
> Top track: Dancing In The Dark
> Place of birth: Long Branch
> Active: 1970s – present
Source: Hughes Television Network / Wikimedia Commons
20. New Mexico
> Artist: John Denver
> Album sales: 33.5 million
> Top track: Thank God I’m A Country Boy
> Place of birth: Roswell
> Active: 1960s – 1990s
[in-text-ad]
Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com
19. New York
> Artist: Billy Joel
> Album sales: 82.5 million
> Top track: It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me
> Place of birth: The Bronx
> Active: 1960s – present
Source: LGPhilpot / Wikimedia Commons
18. North Carolina
> Artist: Randy Travis
> Album sales: 18 million
> Top track: Three Wooden Crosses
> Place of birth: Marshville
> Active: 1970s – present
Source: Jamie Lamor Thompson / Shutterstock.com
17. North Dakota
> Artist: Wiz Khalifa
> Album sales: 4 million
> Top track: See You Again
> Place of birth: Minot
> Active: 2000s – present
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Hans Hillewaert / Wikimedia Commons
16. Ohio
> Artist: Tracy Chapman
> Album sales: 13 million
> Top track: Give Me One Reason
> Place of birth: Cleveland
> Active: 1980s – present
Source: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com
15. Oklahoma
> Artist: Garth Brooks
> Album sales: 148 million
> Top track: Wrapped Up In You
> Place of birth: Tulsa
> Active: 1980s – present
[in-text-ad]
Source: lev radin / Shutterstock.com
14. Oregon
> Artist: Tommy Thayer (Kiss)
> Album sales: 21 million (KISS)
> Top track: Beth/Detroit Rock City
> Place of birth: Portland
> Active: 1970s – present
Source: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
13. Pennsylvania
> Artist: Taylor Swift
> Album sales: 26.5 million
> Top track: Blank Space
> Place of birth: Reading
> Active: 2000s – present
Source: Ga Fullner / Shutterstock.com
12. Rhode Island
> Artist: Billy Gilman
> Album sales: 3 million
> Top track: One Voice
> Place of birth: Westerly
> Active: 1990s – present
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons
11. South Carolina
> Artist: James Brown
> Album sales: 2 million
> Top track: Living in America
> Place of birth: Barnwell
> Active: 1950s – 2000s
Source: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
10. South Dakota
> Artist: Shawn Colvin
> Album sales: 1 million
> Top track: Sunny Came Home
> Place of birth: Vermillion
> Active: 1970s – present
[in-text-ad]
Source: pasphotography / Shutterstock.com
9. Tennessee
> Artist: Kenny Chesney
> Album sales: 27.5 million
> Top track: Out Last Night
> Place of birth: Knoxville
> Active: 1990s – present
24/7 Wall St.
Source: JStone / Shutterstock.com
8. Texas
> Artist: Beyonce
> Album sales: 13 million
> Top track: Irreplaceable
> Place of birth: Houston
> Active: 1990s – present
Source: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
7. Utah
> Artist: Jewel
> Album sales: 18.5 million
> Top track: Foolish Games/You Were Meant For Me
> Place of birth: Payson
> Active: 1990s – present
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: txking / Shutterstock.com
6. Vermont
> Artist: Aaron Lewis
> Album sales: 9 million (Staind)
> Top track: It’s Been Awhile
> Place of birth: Rutland City
> Active: 1990s – present
Source: Decca Records / Wikimedia Commons
5. Virginia
> Artist: Patsy Cline
> Album sales: 14.5 million
> Top track: Crazy
> Place of birth: Winchester
> Active: 1950s – 1960s
[in-text-ad]
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
4. Washington
> Artist: Jimi Hendrix
> Album sales: 23 million
> Top track: All Along the Watchtower
> Place of birth: Seattle
> Active: 1960s – 1970s
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Pixelite / Shutterstock.com
3. West Virginia
> Artist: Michael W. Smith
> Album sales: 10.5 million
> Top track: Place In This World
> Place of birth: Kenova
> Active: 1980s – present
Source: Jeff Schultes / Shutterstock.com
2. Wisconsin
> Artist: Steve Miller
> Album sales: 25.5 million (Steve Miller Band)
> Top track: Abracadabra
> Place of birth: Milwaukee
> Active: 1960s – present
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Moses / Wikimedia Commons
1. Wyoming
> Artist: Scott Avett
> Album sales: 0.5 million (The Avett Brothers)
> Top track: True Sadness
> Place of birth: Cheyenne
> Active: 2000s – present
Detailed Findings and Methodology
Musicians’ birthplaces can be central to their identity, and consequently their art as well. Songs by artists like Bruce Springsteen and The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, for example, are clearly influenced by their home states. For many music fans, Wilson is practically synonymous with California and Springsteen with New Jersey.
Some particularly large states are home to dozens of musicians who, if born elsewhere, would be far and away the most famous musician in that state. New York, for example, is the birthplace of mega industry stars like Barbara Streisand, Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey, each of whom has sold well over 25 million albums. However, with 82.5 million album sales to date, Billy Joel ranks as the Empire State’s most famous musician.
Many smaller states do not have an artist who has sold millions of records. But when it comes to quantifying fame, album sales are not the only useful metric. Wiz Khalifa, a rapper born in Minot, North Dakota, has had some 4.8 million Wikipedia page views in the last two years, along with two chart topping singles.
In other states, record sales alone are not enough to eclipse other, often less quantifiable metrics of fame. For example, Seattle-born Kenny G is far and away Washington state’s best selling artist, with some 48 million record sales to date. Still, the state is home to Jimi Hendrix, revered as one of the best and most influential guitarists of all time. Despite selling about 25 million fewer records than Kenny G, Hendrix is Washington state’s most famous musician.
To identify the most popular artist from each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed total album sales from the Recording Industry Association of America. We also considered total Wikipedia page views over the two last two years. In some cases, we gave preference to iconic artists, as established by widely cited authorities on the subject, over total album sales or pageviews. An artist was only considered to be from a state if he or she was born there. Preference was generally given to solo artists, but in several cases, artists on this list are famous for being a part of a musical group. The track that ranked the highest on the Billboard chart for the longest time was considered the artist’s top track.
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
