Tennessee has been home to some of the best of the best musicians, including country legends such as Dolly Parton and Roy Acuff, soul divas like Aretha Franklin, and rock bands such as Kings of Leon. Even child stars like Miley Cyrus have emerged from Tennessee, captivating audiences with their talent and charm. With such a rich and vibrant musical heritage, Tennessee remains a hub of creativity and inspiration for musicians.
Let’s take as look at the best musicians the state has to offer:
Contents
- 1. Dolly Parton
- 2. Kenny Chesney
- 3. Tina Turner
- 4. Justin Timberlake
- 5. Kings of Leon
- 6. Aretha Franklin
- 7. Gregg Allman
- 8. Miley Cyrus
- 9. Bessie Smith
- 10. Lisa Marie Presley
- 11. Rosanne Cash
- 12. Juicy J
- 13. Dottie West
- 14. Kitty Wells
- 15. Hank Williams III
- 16. Roy Acuff
- 17. Hillary Scott
- 18. c
- 19. Isaiah Rashad
- 20. Ashley Monroe
- Conclusion
1. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, and actress known for her distinctive voice, flamboyant appearance, and heartfelt songs, including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton has won numerous awards, including 10 Grammy Awards and has sold over 100 million units worldwide.
She is also known for her philanthropic work, including the creation of the Dollywood Foundation, which provides books to children from low-income families.
2. Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney is a country music singer who has released 20 albums and has had over 30 singles reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including “I Go Back,” “Young,” and “There Goes My Life.”
Chesney has won multiple awards, including four Country Music Association Awards for Entertainer of the Year, and has sold over 30 million units worldwide.
3. Tina Turner
Tina Turner is a singer, songwriter, and actress who is known for her powerful voice, energetic performances, and hits such as “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Proud Mary,” and “Simply the Best.”
Turner has won multiple awards, including eight Grammy Awards, and has sold over 100 million units worldwide. She is also known for her resilience and her inspiring life story, which she detailed in her autobiography, “I, Tina: My Life Story.”
4. Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is a R&B singer, songwriter, and actor who first gained fame as a member of the boy band NSYNC before launching a successful solo career.
Timberlake has released five albums and has had numerous hits, including “Cry Me a River,” “SexyBack,” and “Mirrors.” He has won several prestigious awards and has sold over 88 million units.
5. Kings of Leon
A rock band with blues influence, Kings of Leon is known for their gritty, Southern-inspired sound and hits such as “Sex on Fire,” “Use Somebody,” and “Waste a Moment.” Kings of Leon have won multiple awards and are fond of having sold-out shows.
6. Aretha Franklin
Dubbed as “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin was a singer, songwriter, and pianist that is known as a pioneer of the soul and R&B genres. Franklin had numerous hits, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”
She won 18 Grammy Awards and earned numerous recognitions for her talent and contribution to the music scene.
7. Gregg Allman
Gregg Allman was a singer, songwriter, and musician who is best known as the co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band. The band combined elements of rock, blues, and country to create a unique sound and had hits such as “Melissa,” “Ramblin’ Man,” and “Midnight Rider.”
Allman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also known for his distinctive voice and keyboard skills.
8. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus, a musician, actress, and songwriter, rose to fame as the lead star of the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.” Since then, Cyrus has released multiple successful albums, and has enjoyed a string of chart-topping hits like “Wrecking Ball,” “Party in the USA,” and “Malibu.”
Despite starting her career as a successful child performer, Miley Cyrus continues to dominate the charts as a thriving musician, and her accomplishments have not dwindled. With numerous awards under her belt, Cyrus shows no indication of slowing down.
9. Bessie Smith
Dubbed as the “Impress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith was one of the most popular and influential blues singers of the 1930s. She is known for renditions of hits such as “Downhearted Blues,” “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out,” and “Careless Love Blues.”
Smith was known for her powerful voice, and her recordings helped to popularize the blues and influence future generations of musicians.
10. Lisa Marie Presley
As the daughter of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley is a singer, songwriter, and actress who has made music often compared to her father. Presley has released several albums, including “To Whom It May Concern” and “Storm & Grace,” and has had hits such as “Lights Out” and “Idiot.”
11. Rosanne Cash
‘Rosanne Cash is a singer, songwriter, author, and daughter of Johnny Cash. She is known for her mix of country, rock, and pop music. Cash has released several successful albums, including “Interiors” and “The Wheel,” and has had hits such as “Seven Year Ache” and “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me.”
She has won multiple awards, including four Grammy Awards and is also known for her progressive style in country music.
12. Juicy J
Juicy J is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Memphis, Tennessee. He first rose to fame as one half of the hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia and went on to release several successful solo albums, including “Stay Trippy” and “Rubba Band Business,” and has collaborated with many other well-known artists, including Katy Perry, The Weeknd, and Wiz Khalifa. He is also known for his catchy hooks, trap beats, and party anthems.
13. Dottie West
Dottie West was a country music singer and songwriter who had numerous hits, including “Here Comes My Baby,” “Country Sunshine,” and “A Lesson in Leavin’,” and was known for her distinctive voice and style.
West won multiple awards, including a Grammy Award, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
14. Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells was a country music singer who was the first female country singer to have a number one hit with “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” and had several other hits, including the “Heartbreak USA.”
Wells was known for her clear voice and traditional country style and was a pioneer for women in country music.
15. Hank Williams III
Hank Williams III is a musician and grandson of country music legend Hank Williams Sr. and the son of Hank Williams Jr. He is known for his unique blend of country, punk, and metal music and his live performances.
Williams III has released several successful albums, including “Straight to Hell” and “Lovesick, Broke and Driftin'” and has gained a dedicated fanbase.
16. Roy Acuff
Roy Acuff was a country music singer, fiddler, and one of the pioneers of country music. He was famous for his versions of “Wabash Cannonball,” “Great Speckled Bird,” and “The Precious Jewel.”
Having played a significant role in establishing the Grand Ole Opry radio show, Acuff was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, becoming the first living recipient of the honor.
17. Hillary Scott
Hillary Scott is a singer-songwriter and the lead singer of the country music group Lady Antebellum (Lady A).
They released numerous hits, including “Need You Now,” “I Run to You,” and “Downtown,” and has won multiple awards, including several Grammy Awards. She is known for her powerful voice and emotional performances.
18. c
Dustin Lynch is a country music singer and songwriter who is known for his hits such as “Small Town Boy,” “Good Girl,” and “Ridin’ Roads.”
Lynch has released several successful albums and has won multiple awards, including a CMT Music Award. He is known for his traditional country sound and catchy hooks.
19. Isaiah Rashad
Isaiah Rashad is a rapper and songwriter who has released several successful albums, including “The Sun’s Tirade” and “The House Is Burning,” and has gained a dedicated fanbase.
He has performed alongside several other well-known artists in the hip-hop world, including Juicy J and Smoke DZA.
20. Ashley Monroe
Ashley Monroe is a country music singer and is known for her blend of traditional country and pop music and her emotive, personal lyrics. Monroe has released several successful albums, including “Satisfied” and “The Blade,” and has had hits such as “Like A Rose” and “Hands on You.”
Having been nominated for Grammy Awards, she has garnered an enthusiastic response from her fans.
Conclusion
The musicians from Tennessee have been trailblazers and pioneers, shaping the industry with their unique and innovative sounds, styles, and lyrics.
Regardless of whether they are country-tuned pop sensations, soul queens, or pioneering metal bands, each of these musicians has left an unforgettable mark in the industry and is appreciated by many music fans all over the world.
Dolly Parton Featured Image (Top-Left) by: Curtis Hilbun, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tina Turner Featured Image (Top-Right) by: Philip Spittle, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Timberlake Featured Image (Bottom-Left) by: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
