Ranker MusicList RulesOnly artists born or raised in Kentucky or bands formed in Kentucky.
Here are the best artists and bands from Kentucky. Many musical traditions are important to the people of Kentucky. Bluegrass is prominent in the region as well as Appalachian folk music. This type of music draws influence from English ballads and songs from Scotland and Ireland. Merle Travis, a famous country and western singer born in the state, developed a new style of guitar picking that was later named after him. Kentucky is responsible for a lot of great music, but have you ever wondered who the best musical artists from Kentucky are?
Some artists, like Nick Lachey of 98 Degrees, were born in Kentucky but raised elsewhere. Other famous artists like Joan Osborne spent their entire childhoods in the Bluegrass State. Numerous bands, such as Nappy Roots and My Morning Jacket, were based out of Kentucky for a time before they grew in national acclaim. Kentucky truly has a storied history, and these roots have influenced music for the past several decades. Other popular Kentucky artists include Billy Ray Cyrus, Cage the Elephant, The Everly Brothers, and Bryson Tiller.
These artists may come from all different kinds of genres, but it is up to the readers to decide who should take the top spot. Will a country act take first or a hard rock band? It is up to you, so start voting for your favorite Kentucky musical artists.
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31396Chris Stapleton
Bluegrass, CountryChristopher Alvin Stapleton (born April 15, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist,... more2
22671Loretta Lynn
Honky-tonk, Alternative countryAlbums: Van Lear Rose, Coal Miner's Daughter, A Country Christmas, Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man
Loretta Lynn (née Webb; born April 14, 1932) is an American country music singer-songwriter... more3
300115Black Stone Cherry
Blues-rock, Rock musicAlbums: Black Stone Cherry, Folklore and Superstition, Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea, Rock'n'Roll Tape, Rain Wizard EP
Black Stone Cherry is an American hard rock band, formed in 2001 in Edmonton, Kentucky. They... more4
20267Tyler Childers (born June 21, 1991) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He... more5
19071Dwight Yoakam
Rockabilly, Country rockAlbums: Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room, 3 Pears, Come On Christmas, A Long Way Home, If There Was a Way
Dwight David Yoakam (born October 23, 1956) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and... more6
19073The Kentucky Headhunters
Country rock, CountryAlbums: Electric Barnyard, Soul, Pickin' on Nashville, Rave On!!, Big Boss Man
The Kentucky Headhunters are an American country rock and Southern rock band. They were... more7
20182Sturgill Simpson
Americana, Alternative countryAlbums: High Top Mountain, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, Bastard Children
John Sturgill Simpson (born June 8, 1978) is an American country music singer-songwriter. As... more8
16359Bill Monroe
Traditional bluegrass, BluegrassAlbums: Southern Flavor, Blue Grass 1959-1969, The Music of Bill Monroe: 1936 to 1994, True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe, The Great Bill Monroe
William Smith Monroe (; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist,... more9
19297Cage the Elephant
Punk blues, Garage rockAlbums: Thank You, Happy Birthday, Cage the Elephant, Melophobia, Ain't No Rest for the Wicked
Cage the Elephant is an American rock band from Bowling Green, Kentucky, that formed in 2006.... more10
13253Keith Whitley
CountryAlbums: Kentucky Bluebird, Don't Close Your Eyes, L.A. to Miami, I Wonder Do You Think of Me, Wherever You Are Tonight
Jackie Keith Whitley (July 1, 1954 – May 9, 1989) was an American country music singer.... more11
303185Bride
Thrash metal, Progressive metalAlbums: Show No Mercy, Snakes in the Playground, Oddities, Silence Is Madness, Kinetic Faith
Bride were an American Christian rock band formed in the 1980s, by brothers Dale and Troy... more12
12153Montgomery Gentry
CountryAlbums: My Town, Tattoos & Scars, Carrying On, Some People Change, You Do Your Thing
Montgomery Gentry is an American country music duo composed of vocalists Eddie Montgomery and... more13
12459The Everly Brothers
Christian music, Rock musicAlbums: Christmas With The Everly Brothers, The Everly Brothers Sing Great Country Hits, It's Everly Time, Born Yesterday, All-Time Original Hits
The Everly Brothers were an American country-influenced rock and roll duo, known for... more14
9647Tom T. Hall
Outlaw country, BluegrassAlbums: In Search of a Song, The Essential: Story Songs, Home Grown, 100 Children, Ballad of Forty Dollars and His Other Great Songs
Thomas T. Hall (born May 25, 1936) is an American country music songwriter, singer,... more15
7126The Osborne Brothers
BluegrassAlbums: Bluegrass Collection, The Essential Osborne Brothers Collection, Country Bluegrass, When The Roses Bloom In Dixieland, Bluegrass 1956-68
The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne (born October 29, 1937) and Bobby Osborne (born December... more16
12374My Morning Jacket
Heartland rock, Rock musicAlbums: It Still Moves, My Morning Jacket Does Xmas Fiasco Style, Z, Circuital, At Dawn
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1998. The band... more17
9650John Michael Montgomery
CountryAlbums: Kickin' It Up, Life's a Dance, John Michael Montgomery, Brand New Me, Leave a Mark
John Michael Montgomery (born January 20, 1965) is an American country music singer.... more18
9247Patty Loveless
Country pop, Country rockAlbums: Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas, Mountain Soul II, Mountain Soul, Only What I Feel, Up Against My Heart
Patricia Lee Ramey (born January 4, 1957), known professionally as Patty Loveless, is an... more19
6426David "Stringbean" Akeman
CountryAlbums: Front Porch Funnies
David Akeman (June 17, 1915 – November 10, 1973) better known as Stringbean (or String Bean),... more20
8952Nappy Roots
Hip hop music, Alternative hip hopAlbums: Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz, Wooden Leather, The Humdinger, The Pursuit of Nappyness
Nappy Roots is an American alternative Southern rap quartet from Louisville, Kentucky. The... more21
5117J. D. Crowe
Progressive bluegrass, BluegrassAlbums: J.D. Crowe & The New South, Blackjack
James Dee Crowe (born August 27, 1937, in Lexington, Kentucky) is an American banjo player and... more22
9660The Judds
CountryAlbums: Greatest Hits, The Judds: Wynonna & Naomi, Christmas Time With The Judds, I Will Stand by You: The Essential Collection, Love Can Build a Bridge
The Judds were an American country music duo composed of Naomi Judd (born 1946) and her... more23
11781Billy Ray Cyrus
Country pop, Country rockAlbums: Achy Breaky Heart, Some Gave All, Change My Mind, Time Flies, Storm in the Heartland
Billy Ray Cyrus (born August 25, 1961) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He has... more24
4919Merle Travis
Americana, Gospel musicAlbums: The Merle Travis Guitar, Back Home, The Atkins-Travis Traveling Show, Divorce Me C.O.D. / Missouri, I Am a Pilgrim / Nine Pound Hammer
Merle Robert Travis (November 29, 1917 – October 20, 1983) was an American country and western... more25
6639Rosemary Clooney
Traditional pop music, Vocal jazzAlbums: Christmas With Rosemary Clooney, A Very Special Christmas With Rosemary Clooney, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", Brazil, Clap Hands! Here Comes Rosie! / Fancy Meeting You Here
Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American singer and actress. She came... more
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