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What Famous Country Artist Is From Your State?

When people think of country music, they usually think of places like Tennessee or Texas, where the genre has been thriving for decades.

But country music actually comes from all over the United States, whether it be big cities or small towns. From coast to coast, every state has at least one famous artist who has represented country music in that area.

Keep reading to meet one country star from each of the 50 states.

Alabama – Hank Williams

Country legend Hank Williams was born in 1923 in the small community of Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama. He spent much of his early life and career there as well. After his sudden passing at the age of 29, he was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery Annex in Montgomery, Alabama.

Alaska – Jewel

Grammy-nominated artist Jewel may have been born in Utah, but she was raised near Homer, Alaska, where she discovered her love for singing.

Arizona – Tanya Tucker

Tanya Tucker was born in Texas, but spent most of her childhood in Wilcox, Arizona, where she began singing in talent shows and at the Arizona State Fair. This would be the first stepping stone in her legendary country music career. Arizona has also been home to other notable country stars such as Waylon Jennings, Dierks Bentley, and Linda Ronstadt.

Arkansas – Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, but grew up in Dyess, where he and his family lived on a government settlement colony for poor farmers. He lived there from the time he was three until he graduated from high school.

California – Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard was born in Oildale, a suburb of Bakersfield, California. His family moved there from Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Other country stars from California include Buck Owens and Jon Pardi.

Colorado – John Denver

Country legend John Denver is one of the most well-known country singers tied to the state of Colorado. Although he was born in New Mexico, he made Colorado his home for much of his life. He even gave himself the stage name “Denver” after the state.

Connecticut – Gary Burr

Connecticut isn’t the home to a lot of country stars, but it is the home to singer-songwriter Gary Burr. He is best known for joining the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1980s and later becoming a very successful Nashville Songwriter.

Delaware – Chuck Wicks

Country artist and radio personality Chuck Wicks is one of Delaware’s most well-known natives. He was born in Smyrna and grew up on a potato farm in the state.

Florida – Pam Tillis

Grand Ole Opry member Pam Tillis was born and raised in Plant City, Florida, with her four siblings. Other stars from Florida include Jake Owen, Brian Kelley, and Ray Charles.

Georgia – Luke Bryan

Georgia is home to many country music stars, including Luke Bryan. He was born in Leesburg and grew up on his parents’ peanut farm. Other artists from Georgia include Jason Aldean, Bill Anderson, Alan Jackson, and Trisha Yearwood.

Hawaii – Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson may not be a Hawaii native, but he has called it his second home for many years. He bought a beachfront property there after falling in love with the island while touring, and even owned a bar called Charlie’s in Paia, Maui, before it closed its doors in 2021.

Idaho – Josh Ritter

Folk and alternative country singer-songwriter Josh Ritter is a proud native of Idaho. He gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s for his solo work as well as performing and recording with the Royal City Band.

Illinois – Gretchen Wilson

Grammy-winning artist Gretchen Wilson was born in the small town of Pocahontas, Illinois, where she was raised by a single mother. Other country artists from Illinois include Alison Krauss and Brett Eldredge.

Indiana – Connie Smith

Legendary singer Connie Smith was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1941. She has paved the way for countless women in country music, earning 11 Grammy nominations, being a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1965, and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

Iowa – Hailey Whitters

One of the most recognizable modern-day country stars from Iowa is Hailey Whitters. The ACM Award winner is originally from Shueyville, Iowa.

Kansas – Martina McBride

Martina McBride is one of the most well-known country stars from Kansas. Born in Sharon, she first gained major attention in the early 1990s when she got the opportunity to open for Garth Brooks.

Kentucky – Loretta Lynn

Kentucky is the original home to so many country stars, but it doesn’t get much more iconic than legend Loretta Lynn. She was born and raised in Van Lear. Other stars from Kentucky are: Chris Stapleton, Keith Whitley, and Ricky Skaggs.

RELATED: 20 COUNTRY SINGERS WHO ARE FROM KENTUCKY

Louisiana – Lainey Wilson

If her signature accent didn’t already give it away, Lainey Wilson is a Louisiana native, born in Baskin. Other famous artists from the state include Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, and Kix Brooks.

Maine – Patty Griffin

Maine isn’t a state that you see a lot of country artists come from, but Patty Griffin is a well-recognized name from the state. Born in Old Town, Maine, she’s admired for her work as a folk-country vocalist, guitarist, and piano player.

Maryland – Brothers Osborne

John and T.J. Osborne, the brothers who make up the Grammy-winning duo Brothers Osborne, were born and raised in the small waterfront town of Deale, Maryland.

Massachusetts – Jo Dee Messina

Before scoring six number-one singles and earning Grammy nominations, Jo Dee Messina was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts. Other stars from the state include The Chicks and Aaron Lewis.

Michigan – Kid Rock

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, is from Romeo, Michigan, a suburb near Detroit. Other country singers well-known from Michigan include Jana Kramer and Uncle Kracker.

Minnesota – Liz Anderson

Country singer-songwriter Liz Anderson, best known for hits like “Mama Spank” and “The Game of Triangles,” was born in Roseau, Minnesota, where she spent most of her early childhood.

Mississippi – Faith Hill

Faith Hill was born in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and grew up in the small town of Star, southeast of Jackson. Mississippi is also the home to several other music legends, like Elvis Presley and Marty Stuart.

Missouri – Sara Evans

Before finding success as a country singer and becoming a Grand Ole Opry member, Sara Evans was born and raised in Booneville, Missouri. Other singers from Missouri include Chris Janson and Rhonda Vincent.

Montana – Charley Pride

Although he wasn’t born there, Charley Pride has strong ties to Montana. In his early adulthood, he lived in the state and spent multiple years playing minor league baseball before launching his music career.

Nebraska – Tompall Glaser

Tompall Glaser, who was a key figure in the 1970s outlaw country movement, was born in Spalding, Nebraska. He later helped change the country landscape as part of the trio, Tompall and the Glaser Brothers, with his siblings.

Nevada – Julianne Hough

You might expect Nevada to have a long list of country singers, with Las Vegas being a major music city, but not many artists come from there. One exception is Julianne Hough, who, although best known as a pro dancer, had a brief but successful country music career in the early 2000s with a debut album that topped the country charts.

Although Julianne was born in Utah, she attended school in Nevada, so she has strong roots there.

New Hampshire – Patti Page

Patti Page, who rose to fame in the 1950s as a top-charting female vocalist and best-selling artist, wasn’t born in New Hampshire, but later settled there with her husband on a farm. She also started a successful syrup company in Bath, New Hampshire.

New Jersey – Connie Francis

Although Connie Francis was considered more of a pop singer, she made a big impact on music with hits like “Pretty Little Baby.” She also had some successful country recordings, including the #33 hit “The Wedding Cake.”

She was born in 1937 in Newark, New Jersey.

New Mexico – Frank Ray

Frank Ray, a former police officer turned bilingual recording artist who is helping shape modern Latino country music, was born in Deming, New Mexico.

New York – Eddie Rabbitt

Nashville Songwriter Hall of Famer Eddie Rabbitt was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father was also a gifted musician who often played the fiddle and accordion at dance halls around New York City.

North Carolina – Luke Combs

Luke Combs has always been a proud North Carolina native, born and raised in Huntersville. Just last year, he showed his love for his home state by teaming up with fellow North Carolinian Eric Church to host a benefit concert, raising funds to support victims of Hurricane Helene.

North Dakota – Tigirlily Gold

ACM Award-winning duo Tigirlily Gold is probably one of the most well-known modern country stars to come out of North Dakota. The sisters, Kendra and Krista Slaubaugh, grew up in the small town of Hazen.

Ohio – Dwight Yoakam

Although Dwight Yoakam was born in the coal mining town of Pikeville, Kentucky, his family moved to Columbus, Ohio, shortly after his birth, where he was raised.

Oklahoma – Reba McEntire

One thing about Oklahoma is that it’s home to more than its fair share of country legends. Among them is the queen of country herself, Reba McEntire, who was born and raised in McAlester. Other country stars from the state include Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, and Ronnie Dunn.

Oregon – Susan Raye

Susan Raye, who rose to fame in the mid-1970s, was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. She later became a protégée of country legend Buck Owens and went on to score seven Top 10 country hits.

Pennsylvania – Gabby Barrett

Before finishing third on the 16th season of American Idol and becoming a well-known name in modern country music, Gabby Barrett was born in Munhall, Pennsylvania, where she grew up with her parents and seven siblings.

Rhode Island – Billy Gilman

Billy Gilman is one of the very few prominent country singers to be from Rhode Island. He released his debut single, “One Voice,” at just 11 years old. The song went on to become a Top 40 country hit, making him the youngest artist ever to achieve that.

South Carolina – Darius Rucker

Hootie & the Blowfish member turned solo country artist Darius Rucker is originally from Charleston, South Carolina. The state has also been the home to other big names in country music, like Lee Brice and Josh Turner.

South Dakota – Gary Mule Deer

Comedian and country musician Gary Mule Deer was born in Deadwood, South Dakota. Over his six-decade career, he’s performed on almost every major concert stage in the country and made more than 350 television appearances with his unique mix of comedy and music.

Tennessee – Dolly Parton

Tennessee is, without a doubt, the state with the strongest country music history, thanks to its Music City capital. But no one represents the state better than Dolly Parton, who was raised in the Smoky Mountains town of Sevierville.

Texas – George Strait

Just like Tennessee, Texas is a hub for country music stars. Multiple icons have come from the state, including lifelong resident George Strait. Others include George Jones, Cody Johnson, and Miranda Lambert.

Utah – The Osmonds

The famous Osmond siblings, consisting of Wayne Osmond, Merrill Osmond, Jay Osmond, Jimmy Osmond, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, and Alan Osmond, all grew up in Ogden, Utah.

Vermont – Dan Tyminski

CMA Award-winning bluegrass singer and songwriter Dan Tyminski was born and raised in Rutland, Vermont.

Virginia – June Carter Cash

Virginia surprisingly has quite a few country legends come from there. This includes five-time Grammy winner and Carter family member June Carter Cash. She was born in Maces Spring. The legendary Patsy Cline also hails from the state.

Washington – Zach Top

As one of today’s fastest-rising country music artists, Zach Top is definitely a standout star from Washington state. He was born and raised in Sunnyside.

West Virginia – Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley grew up in the small northern West Virginia town of Glen Dale before rising to country music stardom. Another country artist from the state is Little Jimmy Dickens.

Wisconsin – Joe Diffie

Joe Diffie wasn’t born in Wisconsin, but his family moved there during his childhood. He spent his 6th through 11th grade in Whitehall, making it an important place for him during his formative years.

Wyoming – Ian Munsick

Country singer-songwriter Ian Munsick was born and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming. The “Long Live Cowgirls” singer draws a lot of musical inspiration from his Wyoming roots.

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