What 7 U.S. States Have the Countriest Music Scenes?

Jimmie Rodgers, considered the father of country music, could have carried the title of the “countriest” country singer ever. After all, he made yodeling famous with his series of 13 “blue yodel” songs written between 1927 and 1933. From its humble origins, country music caught on like wildfire, capturing the ears and hearts of Americans far and wide. 

Certainly, country music had more influence in certain regions of the U.S. than others as it expanded and developed. With the launch of the National Barn Dance from the “Grand Ole Opry” house in 1924, followed by the first recordings of both Rodgers and the Carter Family in Bristol Tennessee, it seemed like destiny that the state of Tennessee would become the center of all things country music related.

As we tip our hats to 2023 and do-si-do into 2024, it would be enjoyable to take a look at the face of country music today, and ask the question, “What 7 U.S. states have the countriest music scenes?” By “countriest,” we are taking into consideration those states that have flourishing country music scenes and host the most country music festivals and other notable events. Do you have some particular states in mind? Does Tennessee still make the cut today?

Join us as we count down the 7 U.S. states with the countriest music scenes.

The 7 U.S. States With the Countriest Music Scenes

7. Missouri

Missouri has a rich country music heritage. Early roots were laid in Springfield in 1954 with the creation of the network television show “Ozark Jubilee” featuring country singer Red Foley. In nearby Branson, Missouri, the 1960s saw the birth of an explosion of country music shows:

• The Baldknobbers Jamboree (1959)–a bi-weekly country music review and comedy show hosted by the Mabe brothers
• The Underground Theatre (1960s)–music and comedy show hosted by the Presley family
• Silver Dollar City (1960)–Hugo and Mary Herschend built this park which featured live music, shops, crafts, and a steam train ride
• Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre (1983)–a famous show built around the legendary Roy Clark

Eventually, Branson Missouri grew to such musical importance that it was dubbed the “Live Entertainment Capital of the World.” Today the city has a couple hundred outlet retailers and more than 80 live entertainment shows that attract thousands of tourists annually. Among the states more famous country stars are Sara Evans, Porter Wagoner, Rhonda Vincent, and Mickey Gilley.

6. Oklahoma

A genre of country music labeled “red dirt” was actually named so because of the abundant red dirt in Oklahoma. The red dirt scene originated in Stillwater with singer-songwriter Bob Childers and grew with the creation of Red Dirt Records in 1972 and bands like the Red Dirt Rangers. Tulsa was also the birthplace of Western Swing music.

Oklahoma has produced its share of classic country legends like Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton, Gene Autry, Vince Gill, and Roy Clark. We must also give a wink to the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musical “Oklahoma,” which had its fair share of crossover country classics.

5. Kentucky

Kentucky may technically be called “the Bluegrass State” because of its exceptional type of grass imported by early European settlers, but the state is also known for bluegrass music in notable stars like Bill Monroe. Other Kentucky country artists include legends like The Judds, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Gale, Ricky Skaggs, and Loretta Lynn. 

The area known as Renfro Valley is referred to as Kentucky’s Country Music Capital, while country music festivals held in the state include the Poppy Mountain Music Festival, the Festival of the Bluegrass, the Manchester Music Festival, and ROMP Fest.

4. Texas

Just as you’ve been warned not to “mess with Texas,” there’s also no messing with the reputations of some of the top country artists to come from the Lone Star State. A few noteworthy ones are Willie Nelson, George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, and George Jones.

Austin put itself on the country music map with the long-running PBS show “Austin City Limits,” and since has become a Mecca for Americana and country music enthusiasts alike. And darn, the Texas Country Music Association even hosts its own Texas Country Music Awards. Country music festivals include Outlaws and Legends in Abilene, the iHeart Country Music Festival in Austin, Lone Star Jam in Round Rock, and Big as Texas Fest in Conroe.

3. Arkansas

From the state’s anthem “The Arkansas Traveler” to one of country music’s biggest icons–Johnny Cash–this state has earned the right to be named among the countriest. Other artists who hail from Arkansas are Conway Twitty, Tracy Lawrence, Iris Dement, Levon Helm, Jimmy Driftwood, and Glen Campbell.

Festivals that feature country music are the Arkansas Country Blues and Stringband Festival (Fayetteville), the Ozark Mountain Music Festival (Eureka Springs), and the Peacemaker Festival (Fort Smith). 

2. Alabama

How can a state with a country band named after it not be considered one of the countriest states in the U.S.? In 1969, Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry of Fort Payne would be joined by another cousin Jeff Cook, as well as Mark Herndon, to form the band that put out legendary 70s country hits like “Dixieland Delight,” “The Closer You Get,” Mountain Music,” and “Love in the First Degree.” 

Alabama is also famous for Muscle Shoals, the backdrop for the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, made up of David Hood on bass, Roger Hawkins on drums, Barry Beckett on keyboards, and Jimmy Johnson on guitar. These session players from Fame Studios backed up icons like Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, and Etta James. Granted, those artists were not really in the country music genre, but it’s hard not to make note of it from a musically historical standpoint. The group also worked with the Oak Ridge Boys, and Beckett went on to work for Warner Music Group, where he worked with Alabama, Asleep at the Wheel, and Kenny Chesney.

1. Tennessee

Not to be Captain Obvious, but Tennessee tops our list of the countriest states in the U.S. Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium, both of which hosted the Grand Ole Opry. Other countless famed country music venues lie round about “Music City” like the Bluebird Cafe, the Station Inn, the Texas Troubadour Theatre, and Robert’s Western World.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is also a staple in the city. Other parts of the state like Memphis have their legendary music scenes as well. Country legends from Tennessee include Chet Atkins, Roy Acuff, Dolly Parton, Dottie West, Patsy Cline, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, and Barbara Mandrell.