The fine folks over at The Boston Phoenix made a list: 50 Bands, 50 States. Here’s what they did - to celebrate the 4th of July this year they declared the best band, best solo artist, and best new band from each of the 50 states in the United States of America. It’s a nice list they made, but it got me thinking. I decided I’d like to set out to discover who I’d pick -myself, based upon no criteria other than the person had to be from the applicable state and had to be a singular musician- who I’d pick as the Top Musicians (of All-Time) From Each of the 50 States. Check out what I came up with below and tell me who I overlooked in the comments. And hey, if you’re a musician trying to decide where to begin building a lasting musical legacy, perhaps we can uncover those states where it’ll be easier for you to make your mark. Ready? Countdown, in alphabetical order, go!

Alabama: Hank Williams - no question here… the prototype for every Country singer since.

MP3: “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love with You)”

Alaska: Jewel - I’m not a fan, and there’s not much competition from Alaska… so, rather than risk credibility, I’ve included Jewel here as a placeholder until Olga Bell drops a few more records.

Video: “You Were Meant For Me”

Arizona: Stevie Nicks - Alice Cooper and Linda Rondstadt were considered, but I mean… Stevie Nicks!

Video: “Edge Of Seventeen”

Arkansas: Johnny Cash - no question, as he’s easily one of the most influential American artists of all time. What? You were expecting, maybe, Beth Ditto?

Video: “Ring of Fire”

California: Brian Wilson - being able to make the tough choices is why they call me Dr. Decision… Wilson barely edged out Merle Haggard, Jerry Garcia, Lindsey Buckingham, and Dr. Dre for the top musician ever to come out of California.

MP3: “Rio Grande”

Colorado: Glenn Miller - consideration was given to Jello Biafra and John Denver, but neither is originally from Colorado whereas Miller spent his high school and college years there. Besides, he was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1942 and leader of one of the all-time great Big Bands. “In the Mood” alone might be reason enough to place Miller above all others.

Video: “In the Mood”

Connecticut: Karen Carpenter - born in New Haven, she had one of the all-time great voices in the history of pop music. Not half-bad as a drummer either, she placed first in Playboy’s reader poll for Best Rock Drummer of 1975.

Video: Karen Carpenter - The Drummer

Delaware: Tom Verlaine - he was born in Jersey and rose to fame with Television in New York City, but Verlaine grew up, and met Richard Hell, in Delaware.

Video: “Foxhole” (live 1978)

Florida: Tom Petty - don’t do me like that, this one was plain obvious.

Video: “Don’t Do Me Like That” (live 1980)

Georgia: Ray Charles - there are many worthy folks from Georgia that represent a variety of musical styles; however, Ray Charles lived at the intersection of rock, gospel, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues. One man who encompassed all that is American music. A true legend.

Video: “What’d I Say, Pt. 1″

Hawaii: wait, I haven’t researched this one yet. But I’m going to guess… Don Ho? Is there any other worthy Hawaiian musician? Let’s see… oh yeah, that guy. Nah, we’ll go with Don Ho.

Video: “Tiny Bubbles” (live 2005)

Idaho: Doug Martsch - another one done without any research and I’m sticking with this one. Martsch’s band, Built to Spill, is one of the top American bands of the past fifteen years. Dude is indie-rock’s Eric Clapton for crying out loud.

MP3: “Car” (live)

Illinois: Miles Davis - what’d you want me to say, Jeff Tweedy? Billy Corgan? Pssh.

Video: “So What”

Indiana: Janet Jackson - as simple as it might’ve been to pick Michael outright, let’s face it, he’s beyond bizarre and really only made two über classic solo records (the same number as his sis). Sure, he fronted the Jackson 5 as a little boy, but he’s grown up to become a child molesting zombie. Nasty! I’ll take Janet.

Video: “Nasty Boys”

Iowa: Roger Williams - one of the most popular pianists in American popular music history, he has released 116 albums, recorded the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard magazine’s popular music charts (”Autumn Leaves”), and wrote the song “Born Free”.

MP3: “Autumn Leaves”

Kansas: Charlie Parker - with all due respect to Melissa Etheridge, Charlie Parker gets the nod here for being one of jazz’s great saxophonists and helping to define bebop and influence the Beat Generation.

Video: “Hot House”

Kentucky: Bill Monroe - Even though this is about singular musicians, I’d like to say Slint somehow. And Loretta Lynn, Will Oldham, and Jim James also received consideration. But come on. Bill Monroe basically invented bluegrass music, which received its name from his band Blue Grass Boys. ‘Nuff said.

Video: “Uncle Pen”

Louisiana: Jerry Lee Lewis - how to pick just one from this highly musical state? It’s pretty easy when the one is one of the five unquestionable grandfathers of rock and roll. Watch Jerry wail on the keys in the video below and tell me he wouldn’t have been bigger than Elvis if he just could’ve not married his thirteen year old cousin…

Video: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On”

Maine: Juliana Hatfield - not much to choose from when it comes to The Pine Tree State. Hatfield takes it easily.

Video: “Spin The Bottle”

Maryland: Frank Zappa - the current crop of Baltimore bands are very promising, but the nod for top musician from Maryland goes to Zappa - the mother of musical invention.

Video: Frank Zappa duels Steve Vai in 1982

Massachusetts: Lou Barlow - I’m allowed a personal favorite or two, no? Let’s face it, the list of great bands from Massachusetts is extensive but it’s very hard to pick one person to represent Aerosmith or the Pixies or Morphine or any of the many others. And Casey Dienel is only on her second LP. Therefore, I give it to Lou: member of Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, and Folk Implosion, in addition to a multitude of solo recordings.

MP3: “Natural One”

Michigan: Stevie Wonder - thanks to Motown, it’s rather difficult to select only one artist to represent Michigan. Thanks to the genius that is Stevie Wonder, it turned out to not be as tough as it seemed at first.

Video: “Superstition”

Minnesota: Prince - without even looking at any research or anything. Prince. Prince. PRINCE! (…research….) Oh yeah, that Robert Zimmerman dude is from Minnesota. Damn. Well, he should probably take it, but I’m sticking with Prince.

Video: Pop Up Video: Prince and the New Power Generation “7″

Mississippi: (obvious) Elvis Presley (tie for second) Robert Johnson / Britney Spears - Elvis is the clear winner here, but what about the runner up? One sold their soul to the devil, one to cigarettes and Red Bull. One laid the foundation for rock and roll by perfecting Delta blues and the other laid the foundation for an entire generation of parents to know precisely how not to raise your children. You tell me which one wins.

Video: “Heartbreak Hotel”

Missouri: Chuck Berry - see Louisiana and Arkansas.

MP3: “Memphis, Tennessee”

Montana: Steve Albini - some people might say Colin Meloy but they’re wrong. Albini is one of the great living audio engineers and producers, but he’s also a musician. Of course, he’s made this list thanks to his contributions in the studio. Which might be a stretch, but it’s my list.

Video: Steve Albini: Don’t Call Me Producer

Nebraska: Elliott Smith - you’re like “but he’s from Portland, right? And what about Conor Oberst?” Well… Elliot Smith was originally from Nebraska, not Oregon. And, let’s face it, he was a smidge more talented than Oberst ever will be.

Video: “Needle In The Hay” (live)

Nevada: Jenny Lewis - for all of the star power that the Vegas strip packs, the state’s musical heritage is largely lacking. Let’s see: Brandon Flowers or Jenny Lewis…

Video: “You Are What You Love” (live)

New Hampshire: Jon Spencer - that other list wants you to believe that Ronnie James Dio is from NH but I know that he’d really call upstate New York home. Therefore, it’s Jon Spencer unchallenged for the win.

MP3: “Bellbottoms”

New Jersey: Jon Bon Jovi? Kidding! Obviously, Bruce Springsteen is the king of Jersey. King? BOSS.

Video: “I’m On Fire”

New Mexico: John Denver - Zach Condon nearly received the top spot here but until he wins Grammys, gets inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and records a classic Christmas record with the Muppets, the honor of being New Mexico’s top native musical son goes to Denver.

Video: “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”

New York: Lou Reed - whether fronting The Velvet Underground or walking on the wild side as a solo artist, Lou Reed defined what it meant to be an underground rock legend for at least four generations of subsequent musicians. Untouchable.

Video: “Perfect Day” (live)

North Carolina: (tie) John Coltrane / Thelonious Monk - the list of important North Carolina musicians is extensive, and perhaps you expected an American Idol winner or Ryan Adams or George Clinton or someone from Merge Records here; but really, they all pale in comparison to two of jazz music’s all-time greats who’re both from my home state: Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.

MP3: “Nutty” (Live At Carnegie Hall)

North Dakota: Peggy Lee - an easy choice, even if there were a lot of high quality artists from North Dakota to pick from. But there aren’t. But still… I mean, have you heard her sing??

Video: “Fever”

Ohio: Chrissie Hynde - this state is extremely tough to call. It could easily go to Mark Mothersbaugh, Anita Baker, Dave Grohl, Dean Martin, or Robert Pollard. However, Chrissie Hynde is one of rock’s greatest frontwomen ever. Maybe THE greatest.

Video: “Brass in Pocket”

Oklahoma: Woody Guthrie - Bob Dylan’s Bob Dylan and, “from California to the New York Island”, America’s singer-songwriter.

Video: “Ranger’s Command”

Oregon: Greg Sage - turns out most bands/musicians you’ve heard of from Oregon aren’t really from Oregon at all. BUT, Greg Sage is indeed from Oregon. And, since he was the songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist of Wipers (Nirvana influence alert), he takes the cake.

Video: “Over The Edge” (live 1983)

Pennsylvania: Trent Reznor - turns out Trent Reznor is from Pennsylvania originally and not Ohio. News to me. Regardless, Reznore sweeps the Keystone State with ease: he’s a one-man band who has pushed industrial music into the mainstream and continues to revolutionize recording and music distribution today. A giant.

MP3: “Echoplex”

Rhode Island: Wendy Carlos - big ups to Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, but my pick for top Rhode Island native musician is Wendy Carlos by a longshot. Helloooo Switched-On Bach and the soundtracks to A Clockwork Orange and Tron. Pretty much everything played on a synthesizer since 1968 owes a debt to Wendy Carlos.

MP3: “TRON Scherzo”

South Carolina: James Brown - Chubby Checker, Dizzy Gillespie, and that dude from Iron & Wine deserve a mention, but James Brown was THE GODFATHER.

Video: James Brown teaches you to dance

South Dakota: Mato Nanji - who?! The lead singer/guitarist from the band Indigenous. He’s a lot like Stevie Ray Vaughan; and hey, if that’s you’re thing, ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.

Video: “Come on Home”

Tennessee: Aretha Franklin - this could be a tough one to call if not for it being the home state of the Queen of Soul. She’s won TWENTY Grammys and had TWENTY number-one singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart.

Video: “I Say A Little Prayer”

Texas: Roy Orbison - in my opinion, Orbison easily had the greatest voice in the history of the world. Don’t just take it from me, Elvis agreed… during a show in Las Vegas in 1976, he called Orbison “the greatest singer in the world”.

MP3: “In Dreams”

Utah: David Archuleta - what do you want me to say? One of the Osmonds? Too bad. I never cared for them and have been a big fan of American Idol ever since the first season. And hey, if you’re looking for the best state to move to to try and build your musical legend… Utah just might be your best bet.

Video: David Archuleta American Idol Audition

Vermont: Dennis Murphy - one of the fathers of American gamelan, Murphy is largely responsible for the popularity of instruments modeled on those of the Javanese gamelan. Popularity? Gamelan?? Just you wait. Oh, and scratch what I said about Utah… Vermont is looking like a pretty choice place to build your musical legacy.

Video: Plainfield Village Gamelan with Dennis Murphy

Virginia: Timbaland - the other list had Patsy Cline here (can’t argue with that), and I could see maybe picking Bruce Hornsby, Dave Matthews, or even Missy Elliot. But right here, right now? It’s Timbaland.

Video: “The Way I Are”

Washington: Jimi Hendrix - in a landscape dominated by guitars, Jimi was the greatest guitarist of them all. Ever. Nobody else was, is, or will be, even close.

Video: “Wild Thing” (live at Monterey)

West Virginia: Frankie Yankovic - who? Frankie Yankovic! The premier Slovenian style polka musician, bing! “America’s Polka King”, bing! The dude who performed “Pennsylvania Polka” as heard a hundred times in the movie Groundhog Day, BING AGAIN!

MP3: “Pennsylvania Polka”

Wisconsin: Les Paul - a detail of his EIGHTY year career could take up pages of space. Let’s look to Wikipedia for some help with cutting to the chase: a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar which “made the sound of rock and roll possible”, his many recording innovations include overdubbing, delay effects such as “sound on sound” and tape delay, phasing effects and multitrack recording.

Video: Les Paul and the Les Pulverizer

Wyoming: turns out, sometimes last IS least. I can’t find one single musician from Wyoming worthy of inclusion here. Can you? If you’re looking to have your music become synonymous with your home state, might I suggest moving to Wyoming where the competition is minimal to none?

Picture: Silent, but beautiful, Wyoming

BONUS: click HERE for a map of the US which places various genres of music with their State of origin.

*above map from HERE, front thumbnail image from HERE.