Born in the U.S.A.: Top 50 Stars of the 50 States (Staff Picks)

Alabama: As if its name isn't enough, the band Alabama has banked 33 Hot Country Songs No. 1s, the most among groups, including its first since 1993 in 2011, courtesy of its guest turn on Brad Paisley's "Old Alabama."

 

Alaska: Jewel was born in Utah, but her family soon moved to Homer (and a home without indoor plumbing). When asked by Larry King in 2010 her opinion of Sarah Palin, Jewel responded, "I can't say we agree on everything (politically). But, Alaska women are can-do women. I love the state I'm from."

Arizona: Peter Green founded Fleetwood Mac in London, but the 1974 addition of Americans Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, the latter from Phoenix, ushered in the band's commercial era that led to its enshrinement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

California: California is home to several superstars, from Paula Abdul to Frank Zappa. While Santa Barbara-born Katy Perry self-congratulated "California Gurls" in 2010, the Beach Boys wished they all could be California girls 45 years earlier.

Colorado: John Denver was born (as Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.) in Roswell, New Mexico. Still, his name and smashes as "Rocky Mountain High" have made him as much a part of Colorado as Coors beer.

Connecticut: John Mayer takes a slight edge over New Haven native Michael Bolton, if only since "No Such Thing" so clearly evokes images of Mayer's alma mater, Fairfield High School.

Delaware: Wilmington-born guitar hero George Thorogood's Greatest Hits: 30 Years of Rock has spent the most weeks (57) of all entries on Billboard's Blues Albums chart.

Georgia: Home to famed alternative acts including R.E.M., the B-52s and Indigo Girls, as well as a whole new bounty of hip-hop stars from Atlanta, it feels most right to bestow the honor on the late Ray Charles. "Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind," the R&B titan sang on his 1960 Hot 100 No. 1. Since 1979, "Georgia on My Mind" has served as the state's official song.

Hawaii: The honor for the 50th state to join the U.S. goes to Bruno Mars, born in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu. With "Just the Way You Are" having spent 20 weeks atop Adult Contemporary, the song stands as the longest-reigning debut format hit in the chart's 50-year history. Among his more recent honors, Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk!," featuring Mars, ruled the Hot 100 for 14 weeks in 2015, while, in 2017, "That's What I Like" became his seventh Hot 100 topper. In 2019, "Please Me," with Cardi B, became his sweet 16th Hot 100 top 10.

Illinois: Originally named Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago has sent 46 songs onto the Hot 100, 20 of which reached the top 10. Even after the defection of lead singer Peter Cetera, the band topped the tally, with "Look Away," sung by Bill Champlin (who departed Chicago in 2009), ranking as Billboard's top single of 1989. (Tip: listening to any of the band's classics sounds even better with some deep dish.)

Indiana: John Mellencamp has incomparably made his home state a central theme in his music. The "Small Town" singer was even born in just that: Seymour, whose population is, as of the last census, 17,503. It's hard to beat a King, however, and Michael Jackson was born in Gary. (Coincidentally, Seymour is located in Jackson County.)

Iowa: The Everly Brothers' harmonies influenced countless acts, including The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Don was born in Kentucky and Phil in Illinois, but their family soon embraced the Shenandoah, Iowa, music scene, with their father Ike often bringing them on to sing on his radio shows on KMA and KFNF.

Kansas: Sharon-born Martina McBride has placed 55 titles on Hot Country Songs, dating to her first on the chart in 1992. Still, Kansas is right there in the name of the band, formed in Topeka, that enjoyed such everlasting hits as "Carry on Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind."

Kentucky: Coal miner's daughter and country icon Loretta Lynn was born in Butcher Holler. Runners-up in the state's musical derby: the Judds, as Naomi and Wynonna each hail from Ashland.

Louisiana: As New Orleans = jazz, who else but Louis Armstrong? Satchmo not only crossed over to mainstream audiences as early as the 1920s, but also stands as a pioneer in breaking racial barriers, through the power of his beloved music.

Maine: Stephen Hague. A producer, not a known performer, Hague (born in Portland) has, perhaps surprisingly, produced hits most notably recorded by British bands, including Pet Shop Boys ("West End Girls"), New Order ("True Faith") and Erasure ("A Little Respect").

Maryland: Hailing from Severn, Toni Braxton has enjoyed five No. 1s on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and 11 top 10s, including two No. 1s, on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Nearly 30 years after her chart debut, "Do It" became her 14th top five single on the Adult R&B Songs chart, patriotically dated July 4, 2020.

Michigan: Heartland rock (i.e., the state's Bob Seger) perhaps best defines the Midwest, but Madonna was born in Bay City, graduated from Rochester Adams High School and attended the University of Michigan before dropping out to move to New York City and create the material that would make her musical royalty.

Minnesota: As with Jackson and Mellencamp in Indiana, you couldn't go wrong with either a pop/R&B cornerstone, Prince, or rock icon, Bob Dylan, representing Minnesota. We'll give the nod to late icon Prince, as Purple Rain vividly transported '80s music fans to Minneapolis, where the movie was filmed almost exclusively.

Nebraska: Another band that epitomizes the heartland rock sound, the Eagles, was co-founded by Randy Meisner, who also helped form Poco. Meisner sings lead on the Eagles' No. 4 1976 smash "Take It to the Limit."

Nevada: While Las Vegas has long been the performing home of Wayne Newton and, more recently, Celine Dion and Britney Spears, among many others, The Killers formed there in 2001. The band, with a stylistic flare in line with that of Sin City, has earned five Billboard 200 top 10s, including its first No. 1, 2017's Wonderful Wonderful. Plus, 2020 brought the group's second Alternative Airplay No. 1, "Caution." We could've just as easily gone with Las Vegas' Imagine Dragons for this pick, but, for now, The Killers win thanks simply to seniority.

New Hampshire: Ray Lamontagne. The Nashua folk-rocker has reached a high of No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with three titles: 2008's Gossip in the Grain, 2010's God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise and 2014's Supernova.

New Jersey: If from almost any other state, Bon Jovi would surely (shore-ly?) make this list in bold print. Bruce Springsteen, however, seems like the most apt choice if only for career longevity as a tie-breaker. An honorary mention, as well, to Whitney Houston.

New Mexico: "You gotta hear this one song. It'll change your life," Zach Braff predicted about The Shins' "New Slang" in the 2004 film Garden State. The Albuquerque band roared to a No. 2 peak on the Billboard 200 with 2007's Wincing the Night Away, while 2012's Port of Morrow debuted and peaked at No. 3. In April 2017, Heartworms launched at No. 20.

New York: Some states were almost impossible to symbolize via only one act. Such New York-born superstars include Christina Aguilera, Cardi B, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and, of course, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Before "Empire State of Mind," however, the Bronx's Billy Joel was often in a New York state of mind, from 52nd Street to his uptown girl.

North Dakota: Lawrence Welk, Bobby Vee ("Take Good Care of My Baby," 1961) and Wiz Khalifa are the only artists born in the state to top the Hot 100. But, based on longevity (a theme in this gallery, as a decades-head start translates to more all-time reach), acting/singing favorite Welk takes the title. Still, Khalifa's "See You Again" became one of 2015's biggest smashes.

Ohio: While The Pretenders formed in England in 1978, frontwoman Chrissie Hynde hails from Akron. In 2005, the band joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in Cleveland). Her debut solo album, 2014's Stockholm, entered the Billboard 200's top 40. Runners-up: the Glee Cast. Lima's McKinley High School TV singers own the record for most Hot 100 hits by a non-solo act (207) in the chart's history.

Oklahoma: Garth Brooks. With U.S. album sales approaching 72.5 million, the Tulsa native and Oklahoma State University grad (advertising major, FYI) is the best-selling album artist in Nielsen Music/MRC Data history. In March 2020, Brooks banked his 36th Country Airplay chart top 10, "Dive Bar," with Blake Shelton ... who was born in Ada, Oklahoma.

Oregon: 2011 Best new artist Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding was born in Portland. The acclaimed jazz instrumentalist/singer famously won the honor over presumed favorite (and Canada native) Justin Bieber. Also from the Portlandia region: The Decemberists, Everclear and Courtney Love.

Rhode Island: Jeffrey Osborne. The Providence-born R&B singer fronted L.T.D. before launching a solo career that yielded such hits as 1984's "Stay With Me Tonight" (a longtime Rhody radio favorite).

South Dakota: While not a hotbed of Hot 100 activity, the state gave us author L. Frank Baum, who wrote the children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Adapted for the silver screen, Kansas/Oz-based The Wizard of Oz helped popularize such timeless songs as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Tennessee: As with Springsteen in New Jersey, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Dolly Parton representing Tennessee, especially since her "Dollywood" theme park welcomes approximately 2.5 million visitors annually. The Nashville queen, born in Sevierville, boasts the most No. 1s (25) of any female artist in the Hot Country Songs chart's history.

Texas: Even if all his exes reportedly live there, George Strait can't hide from the fact that he's sent more songs to No. 1 on Hot Country Songs (44) than any other act. With top 10s annually on the chart from 1981 through 2013, Strait, born in Poteet, is the only artist to score a top 10 on the same survey for as many as 33 "Strait" years. Also a Lone Star State-sized shoutout to Houston-born Beyoncé. On the July 4, 2020 Digital Song Sales chart, she debuted at No. 1 with the socially-conscious "Black Parade."

Utah: Stars of songs and stage The Osmonds are synonymous with the Salt Lake region, having collected 13 Hot 100 hits, while Donny has scored 16 as a soloist. He and sister Marie debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 as recently as 2011 with Donny & Marie, the pair's highest-peak duets set.

Vermont: Who else but Phish? The jam band formed at the University of Vermont in Burlington in 1983. Ben & Jerry's, headquartered in nearby Waterbury, famously concocted its Phish Food ice cream flavor as a tasty tribute.

Virginia: Bruce Hornsby. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has serenaded his home state in such descriptive songs as "The Red Plains," "The Valley Road" and "The Road Not Taken" (in which he sings of falling in love "with an Appalachian girl").

Washington: As such states as Tennessee and Texas symbolize country music, Seattle is likewise the birthplace of grunge, with no act perhaps better representing the genre than Nirvana, who defeats Pearl Jam in a tight race if only because "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (No. 6, 1992) marked the sound's first crossover to the Hot 100's top 10.

West Virginia: Brad Paisley. Since his arrival, by way of Glen Dale, Paisley has tallied 18 No. 1s, including a streak of 10 in-a-row, on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and nine No. 1s on Top Country Albums, including 2017's Love and War. Since his debut in 1999, when it comes to country chart success, Paisley continues to be crushin' it.

Wisconsin: Les Paul, whom the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has deemed an "architect" of the genre, originated the solid-body electric guitar and perfected multi-track recording technology. "I've never let anybody know exactly how I get my sound," said Paul, who passed away in 2009. "That big, fat, round, ballsy sound ... nobody else has it."

Wyoming: Although born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Chris LeDoux became a Wyoming rodeo legend. After Garth Brooks sang of listening to a "worn-out tape of Chris LeDoux" in his debut single "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)," the singer tallied 21 appearances on Hot Country Songs until his death in 2005.