Ranker MusicList RulesOnly artists born or raised in Nebraska or bands formed in Nebraska.
Here are the best artists and bands from Nebraska who have come from every genre imaginable. Rock, ragtime, blues, jazz, county, and more have come out of small towns all around the state. These bands have gone on to influence acts from all over the United States. For example, Saddle Creek Records, which is based out of Omaha, has produced such acts as Cursive, Bright Eyes, and The Faint. One of the city's most popular rock bands to have formed in the area was The Chevrons, which was an incredibly popular band in the country throughout the 1960s.
The town of Lincoln has always had a great music scene because it's first and foremost a university town. Another important musical landmark in the state is the Zoo Bar. The bar celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2008, and the club even has a song named after it. In 1995, James Harman wrote a song based on his experiences at the venue titled "Everybody's Rockin' (At The Zoo Bar)." Other popular Nebraska artists include JoJo Siwa, Emily Kinney, 311, and VOTA, formerly known as Casting Pearls.
This list of the most famous Nebraska musical artists covers bands and singers from all over the state. From Fremont to Omaha, you will find all of the most popular acts covered here. Vote for the artists you get excited about most.
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4219311
Rock music, Rap metalAlbums: 311, From Chaos, Evolver, Universal Pulse, Don't Tread on Me
311 (pronounced "three-eleven") is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was... more on Wikipedia2
3916Bright Eyes
Indie pop, Folk musicAlbums: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, Fevers and Mirrors
Bright Eyes was an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor... more on Wikipedia3
252Matthew Sweet
Grunge, Pop rockAlbums: Girlfriend, In Reverse, 100% Fun, Altered Beast, Inside
Sidney Matthew Sweet (born October 6, 1964) is an American rock singer-songwriter and... more on Wikipedia4
259The Faint
New Wave, Dance-punkAlbums: Danse Macabre, Media, Wet From Birth, Blank-Wave Arcade, Fasciinatiion
The Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd... more on Wikipedia5
204Mannheim Steamroller
New Age, New Age musicAlbums: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Live, Christmas, Christmas Celebration, Halloween 2: Creatures Collection, Halloween
Mannheim Steamroller is an American music group, founded by Chip Davis, that is known... more on Wikipedia6
205The Good Life
Rock music, Folk rockAlbums: Novena on a Nocturne, Album of the Year, Black Out, Help Wanted Nights, Lovers Need Lawyers EP
The Good Life is an indie rock band on Saddle Creek records. Started as a solo project of... more on Wikipedia7
205Cellador
Power metal, Heavy metalAlbums: Enter Deception, Leaving All Behind
Cellador is a power metal band based out of Denver, Colorado. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska,... more on Wikipedia8
150Boxcar Willie
Gospel music, CountryAlbums: Christmas With Boxcar Willie, King of the Road, The Boxcar Willie Collection, Not the Man I Used to Be, Last Train to Heaven
Lecil Travis Martin (September 1, 1931 – April 12, 1999), whose stage name was Boxcar Willie,... more on Wikipedia9
184Pigeon John
Hip hop music, Alternative hip hopAlbums: Pigeon John Is Dating Your Sister, Pigeon John Sings the Blues!, Pigeon John Is Clueless, Pigeon John and the Summertime Pool Party, Featuring Pigeon John 2
John Kenneth Dust (born John Kenneth Dunkin: November 30, 1972), better known by the stage... more on Wikipedia10
James Burgon Valentine (born October 5, 1978) is an American musician and songwriter. He is... more on Wikipedia150James Valentine
Pop music, Rock music11
206Patricia Barber
Smooth jazz, Post-bopAlbums: Nightclub, The Premonition Years: 1994-2002, Modern Cool, The Cole Porter Mix, Café Blue
Patricia Barber (born November 8, 1955) is an American jazz and blues singer, pianist,... more on Wikipedia12
Emily Rebecca Kinney is an American actress and recording artist. She is best known for her... more on Wikipedia18513
219Elliott Smith
Indie pop, Folk rockAlbums: From a Basement on the Hill, XO, Figure 8, Either/Or, Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003) was an American singer,... more on Wikipedia14
130Lullaby for the Working Class
Indie rockAlbums: Blanket Warm, Song, I Never Even Asked For Light, Consolation
Lullaby for the Working Class was an indie folk rock band from Lincoln, Nebraska, active from... more on Wikipedia15
208Cursive
Emo, Alternative rockAlbums: The Ugly Organ, Domestica, The Difference Between Houses and Homes (Lost Songs and Loose Ends 1995-2001), Happy Hollow, Mama
Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, on 15 Passenger Records, Saddle... more on Wikipedia16
Ann Rosenblatt, known as Ann Ronell (December 25, 1905 — December 25, 1993) was an American... more on Wikipedia13017
196Mike Mogis
Folk music, EmoAlbums: The Fault in Our Stars, Stuck in Love
Michael Riley "Mike" Mogis (born May 16, 1974) is an American producer/engineer and... more on Wikipedia18
Ruth Etting (November 23, 1897 – September 24, 1978) was an American singing star and actress... more on Wikipedia18619
196Commander Venus
Emo, Indie rockAlbums: The Uneventful Vacation, Do You Feel at Home?, Drip / Commander Venus
Commander Venus was an American emo band from Omaha, Nebraska. Fronted by Conor Oberst and Tim... more on Wikipedia20
186Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Folk musicAlbums: Like a King, Two Bedroom Apartment, Bad Romance, On the Planet Earth, If I Die Young
Danielle Anderson, known by her stage name Danielle Ate the Sandwich, is a singer-songwriter... more on Wikipedia21
Preston Haines Love (April 26, 1921, Omaha, Nebraska – February 12, 2004, Omaha, Nebraska) was... more on Wikipedia164Preston Love
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Matty Lewis is the rhythm guitarist and co-lead singer of Zebrahead, and is a native of... more on Wikipedia144Matty Lewis
Pop punk, Punk rock23
Bill Lee (August 21, 1916 – November 15, 1980) was an American playback singer who provided a... more on Wikipedia14424
Mike Mennard (born 1967 in Ft. Worth, Texas) is a children's recording artist based in... more on Wikipedia135Mike Mennard
Children's music25
169Josh Rouse
Pop music, Folk musicAlbums: 1972, Dressed Up Like Nebraska, Under Cold Blue Stars, Nashville, Home
Josh Rouse (born March 9, 1972) is an American folk/roots pop singer-songwriter. Originally... more on Wikipedia
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