The map above shows the best selling singer, musical artist or band from each of the 50 US states. While many expected names make the list such as Elvis, Prince, Madonna, etc. there are quite a few surprises.
Keep reading below for the complete list by state:
- Alabama – Lionel Richie
- Alaska – Portugal, The Man
- Arizona – Linda Ronstadt
- Arkansas – Johnny Cash
- California – Eagles
- Colorado – The Fray
- Connecticut – Michael Bolton
- Delaware – George Thorogood
- Florida – Backstreet Boys
- Georgia – Kanye West
- Hawaii – Bruno Mars
- Idaho – Paul Revere & the Raiders
- Illinois – Chicago
- Indiana – Michael Jackson
- Iowa – Andy Williams
- Kansas – Kansas
- Kentucky – Dwight Yoakam
- Louisiana – Lil Wayne
- Maine – Howie Day
- Maryland – Toni Braxton
- Massachusetts – James Taylor
- Michigan – Madonna
- Minnesota – Prince
- Mississippi – Elvis Presley
- Missouri – Eminem
- Montana – Nicolette Larson
- Nebraska – Mannheim Steamroller
- Nevada – The Killers
- New Hampshire – Aerosmith
- New Jersey – Whitney Houston
- New Mexico – John Denver
- New York – Mariah Carey
- North Carolina – Randy Travis
- North Dakota – Wiz Khalifa
- Ohio – Rascal Flatts
- Oklahoma – Garth Brooks
- Oregon – Everclear
- Pennsylvania – Taylor Swift
- Rhode Island – Billy Gilman
- South Carolina – Hootie & the Blowfish
- South Dakota – Shawn Colvin
- Tennessee – Tina Turner
- Texas – George Strait
- Utah – Jewel
- Vermont – Phish
- Virginia – Dave Matthews Band
- Washington – Kenny G
- West Virginia – Brad Paisley
- Wisconsin – Steve Miller
- Wyoming – Spencer Bohren
If you found this map interesting, you’ll definitely want to check out our similar post the Best Selling Singer Or Band From Each London Borough – it’s incredible how many of the world’s top acts have been associated with London.
Enjoy this map? Please help us by sharing it with a friend:
Matthew Miller says
Looks wrong to me…
SirLizard says
The nation’s capital, Washington, DC, which isn’t in a state, gets ignored again.
Kurt B says
DC will always be too small to be a state with two US Senators. It was once part of Maryland and maybe could go back. Arlington went back to Virginia after being part of DC for a short while.
Oliver Clarke says
Surely New Jersey should be either Bruce Springsteen or Frank Sinatra?? Both have sold many more than Whitney Houston.
John Schaefer says
Sinatra and Springsteen are both at 120-199 million, while Houston is at 200-249 million. Wikipedia entry for “List of Best-Selling Music Artists”
Larry Siegel says
Life isn’t fair. Texas should be Willie and Florida should be Jimmy Buffett.
Steve K. says
Looks a bit off to me. Jewel was born in Utah, but is very much Alaskan. I guess it depends on how you define “from”. Eagles are definitely a California band, though it’s two prolific and majority stake holders are Michigan and Texas born – and raised. I’d be interested in seeing some data behind this, but it is fun to see some of these despite the odd data errors.
Matt says
Aerosmith are from Massachusetts. I dunno where you got NH from.
James says
Washington state….surely Pearl Jam or Soundgarden/ Chris Cornell have sold more than Kenny G
Ruben says
Whoever makes your maps must really hate Idaho.
Brilliant Maps says
We’re big fans of Greater Idaho.