Ranker MusicList RulesOnly 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.
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4112Bill Withers
Smooth soul, Pop musicAlbums: 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... more2
4617Brad Paisley
Americana, Rock musicAlbums: 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... more3
225Johnny Paycheck
Outlaw country, Honky-tonkAlbums: 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... more4
2713Michael W. Smith
Christian music, Pop musicAlbums: Christmastime, It's a Wonderful Christmas, Christmas, The Big Picture, Healing Rain
Michael Whitaker Smith (born October 7, 1957) is an American musician, who has charted in both... more5
2510Kathy Mattea
Bluegrass, CountryAlbums: Time Passes By, Good News, Lonesome Standard Time, Love Travels, Walking Away a Winner
Kathleen Alice Mattea (born June 21, 1959) is an American country music and bluegrass singer.... more6
218Asleep at the Wheel
Country, Western swingAlbums: Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all, Tribute to the music of Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys, Live at Billy Bob's Texas, Still Swingin'
Asleep at the Wheel is an American country music group that was formed in Paw Paw, West... more7
187Bobaflex
Nu metal, Rock musicAlbums: Gigantour 2005, Hell in My Heart, Apologize for Nothing, Tales From Dirt Town
Bobaflex is an American metal band from Point Pleasant, West Virginia. They were part of... more8
1810Byzantine
Thrash metal, Progressive metalAlbums: Oblivion Beckons, ...and They Shall Take Up Serpents, The Fundamental Component, Byzantine, Cradle Song
Byzantine is a heavy metal band from Charleston, West Virginia, that was formed in 2000. As of... more9
179Frankie Yankovic and his Yanks
Slovenian-style polkaAlbums: 48 Polka & Waltz Medley, Greatest Polka Hits, One More Time, Frankie Yankovic and His Yanks' Greatest Hits, The All Time Great Polkas
Frank John "Frankie" Yankovic (July 28, 1915 – October 14, 1998) was an American accordion... more10
146The Lilly Brothers
BluegrassAlbums: Bluegrass at the Roots
The Lilly Brothers, were bluegrass musicians born in Clear Creek, West Virginia. They have... more11
2013Hasil Adkins
Psychobilly, Rock n' RollAlbums: The Wild Man, Peanut Butter Rock and Roll, Out to Hunch, Look at That Caveman Go!!, Drinkin' My Life Away
Hasil Adkins (April 29, 1937 – April 26, 2005) was an American singer-songwriter and... more12
135Johnny Staats
BluegrassJohnny Staats is a bluegrass mandolin, guitar and violin player, born and raised in West... more13
169John Joseph Corbett (born May 9, 1961) is an American actor and country music singer. He is... more14
157Daniel Johnston
Outsider music, Folk rockAlbums: Yip/Jump Music, 1990, Hi, How Are You, The Late Great Daniel Johnston: Discovered Covered
Daniel Dale Johnston (born January 22, 1961) is an American singer-songwriter and visual... more15
147Hawkshaw Hawkins
Honky-tonk, CountryAlbums: I'm a Rattlesnakin' Daddy, 22 Greatest Hits, Hawk 1953-61 (disc 3)
Harold Franklin Hawkins (December 22, 1921 – March 5, 1963), better known as Hawkshaw Hawkins,... more16
2319'Little' Jimmy Dickens
CountryAlbums: 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,... more17
Steve Whiteman is a member of the musical group Kix.... more18
126Elbern Alkire
Elbern H. "Eddie" Alkire (December 6, 1907 – January 25, 1981) was America's most recognized... more19
128Seven Day Jesus
Rock music, Christian rockAlbums: The Hunger, Seven Day Jesus
Seven Day Jesus was a Christian rock band formed in Huntington, West Virginia in 1994. The... more20
1310Blind Joe Hill (January 7, 1931 – November 1998) was an American blues singer, guitarist,... more21
84Jake E. Lee
Blues-rock, Rock musicAlbums: A Fine Pink Mist, Retraced
Jake E Lee (born Jakey Lou Williams, February 15, 1957) is an American guitarist signed to... more22
107Larry Combs is an American clarinetist. His principal teachers were Stanley Hasty at the... more23
1311French Carpenter
Old-time musicDavid French Carpenter, born June 7, 1899 in Clay County, West Virginia died May 22, 1965, was... more24
1210Jeff Stevens
CountryJeffery David Stevens (born June 15, 1959 in Alum Creek, West Virginia) is an American country... more25
1616Hazel Dickens
Folk music, BluegrassAlbums: A Few Old Memories, Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard, Won't You Come & Sing for Me?, Hazel & Alice, Who's That Knocking?
Hazel Jane Dickens (June 1, 1925 – April 22, 2011) was an American bluegrass singer,... more
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