Musical States, Vol. I

Nearly a week ago, my father and I were talking about Dylan, Prince and Husker Du all being from Minnesota and I began to think to myself, “I wonder what other great artists are from seemingly random states?” Well, through much investigation, I’ve come up with a list (which will be done over the next 3 days) of the best musicians and bands from each state.

Here’s the criteria: For an artist, they have to be born in the state (except for the person listed under Alaska because, frankly, there’s no one from Alaska) and for bands, it has to be the state they formed in. For instance, Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys can be listed under both Colorado, his birth state, and California, the state where the Kennedys formed.

I only did a maximum of five artists/bands for states that apply because, among others, California and New York can go on forever while for others, it’s quite tough to come up with even two people/groups.

If there’s anyone I’m forgetting, please let me know. Heck, until my Dad mentioned him being from Arizona, I completely forgot about Mingus, so I’m sure that I am forgetting many great artists.

List away!:

Alabama:
1. Wilson Pickett
2. Hank Williams
3. Nat King Cole
4. The Temptations
5. Emmylou Harris

Alaska:
1. Jewel (although born in Utah, she spent her childhood in Alaska)

Arizona:
1. Charles Mingus
2. Alice Cooper (moved there at a young age, but really from Michigan)
3. Meat Puppets

Arkansas:
1. Johnny Cash
2. Louis Jordan
3. Al Green
4. Levon Helm

California
1. Tom Waits
2. Creedence Clearwater Revival
3. Dave Brubeck Quartet
4. The Grateful Dead
5. Dead Kennedys

Colorado:
1. Jello Biafra
2. Glenn Miller
3. Paul Whiteman

Connecticut:
1. John Mayer
2. Liz Phair
3. Karen and Richard Carpenter
4. Michael Bolton (I had to…)

Delaware:
1. George Thorogood
2. Clifford Brown

Florida:
1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
2. The Allman Brothers Band
3. Debbie Harry
4. Against Me!
5. matchbox twenty

Georgia:
1. REM
2. Otis Redding
3. Ray Charles
4. James Brown
5. Little Richard

Hawaii:
1. Don Ho
2. Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole
3. Jack Johnson

Idaho:
1. Paul Revere and the Raiders
2. Josh Ritter

Illinois:
1. Miles Davis
2. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
3. Benny Goodman
4. Patti Smith
5. Curtis Mayfield

Indiana:
1. The Jackson 5
2. JJ Johnson
3. Wes Montgomery
4. Cole Porter
5. John Mellencamp

Iowa:
1. Slipknot (ugh)

Kansas:
1. Joe Walsh
2. Kansas

Kentucky:
1. Bill Monroe
2. Don Everly
3. Loretta Lynn