The Best Musical Artists From West Virginia

Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Musical Artists From West Virginia
Voting Rules
Only artists born or raised in West Virginia or bands formed in West Virginia.

Here are the best artists and bands from West Virginia. With a thriving music scene, the Mountain State has hosted numerous music festivals over the years, including All Good Music Festival, Heritage Music Blues Fest, and the West Virginia Independent Music Festival. Some amazing bands and singers got their start right here. From humble beginnings, the most famous musical artists from West Virginia have gone on to top the charts and earn acclaim all over the planet. 

Brad Paisley is one of the biggest names in country music right now. Before all that, he was just a kid growing up in Glen Dale. The state has produced a lot more than country artists. In fact, you will find artists from a breadth of genres on this list of West Virginia musical artists. Frankie Yankovich is one of the most influential polka musicians of all time, and Garland Wilson was one of the best jazz pianists of all time. You may get a little bit of culture shock as you go down this list and see all the artists who at one time called West Virginia home. Other popular West Virginia artists and groups include Michael W. Smith, Byzantine, Rozwell Kid, and Bill Withers.

Vote up the best West Virginia artists, and feel free to add any other musicians, rappers, singers, and bands with WV roots.

Ranked by
  • Bill Withers
    1
    Smooth soul, Pop music, Rhythm and blues
    92 votes
    • Albums: Menagerie, Still Bill, Just As I Am, 'Bout Love, Bill Withers: The Complete Sussex and Columbia Albums
    William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. He recorded several major hits, including ...more
  • Brad Paisley
    2
    Americana, Rock music, Country rock
    97 votes
    • Albums: Wheelhouse, Brad Paisley Christmas, I'm Gonna Miss Her, Mud on the Tires, American Saturday Night
    Brad Douglas Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting with his 1999 debut album Who Needs Pictures, he has released eleven studio albums and a ...more
  • Johnny Paycheck
    3
    Outlaw country, Honky-tonk, Country
    40 votes
    • Albums: Take This Job and Shove It, The Soul & the Edge: The Best of Johnny Paycheck, Jukebox Charlie, Gospeltime "In My Fashion", Song & Dance Man
    Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle; May 31, 1938 – February 19, 2003) was an American country music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and Grand Ole Opry member notable for recording ...more
  • Johnny Staats
    4
    Bluegrass
    23 votes
    Johnny Staats is a bluegrass mandolin, guitar and violin player, born and raised in West Virginia. He has been featured on NBC's Today Show, in People Magazine, on the CBS Evening News and CNN, and ...more
  • 'Little' Jimmy Dickens
    5
    35 votes
    • Albums: Country Boy, Out Behind the Barn (disc 1), Comes Callin', Handle With Care, Take Me as I Am / Black Eyed Joes
    James Cecil Dickens (December 19, 1920 – January 2, 2015), better known by his stage name, Little Jimmy Dickens, was an American country music singer and songwriter famous for his humorous novelty ...more
  • Mind Garage
    6
    Rock music, Acid rock, Christian rock
    13 votes
    • Albums: Mind Garage Early Years
    Mind Garage was an American psychedelic rock and roll band from Morgantown, West Virginia, and a progenitor of Christian rock music. Their "Electric Liturgy" performed in 1968 was the first ...more