Known as The Natural State and the Land of Opportunity, Arkansas is a landlocked state on the borders of the South and Midwest. Though it has found itself in notorious situations due to the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, Arkansas also produced a rich culture.
The state has also churned out a litany of influential musicians, so let’s meet the 10 biggest musicians from Arkansas. (If you live in a more arid state, discover the biggest musicians from Arizona.)
To compile a list of the 10 biggest musicians from Arkansas, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of musical websites and state databases including Hello Music Theory, The Famous People, and Arkansas.com. From there we selected the biggest names from different periods and musical genres. After that, we consulted sites like Biography and Britannica to verify the musician’s biographical information.
Johnny Cash
- Hometown: Kingsland
Born John R. Cash, Johnny Cash was a country music artist and one of the biggest musicians from Arkansas. He first rose to fame as part of the rockabilly scene in the mid-1950s. From there he developed a reputation as the “Man in Black” and released several classic songs including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Walk the Line” and “Ring of Fire.”
Known for his deep, baritone voice and genre-crossing music, Cash became one of the best-selling musicians of all time, selling more than 90 million records worldwide. For his crossover appeal and successful career, Cash was inducted into the Rock and Roll, Country, and Gospel Hall of Fames. His life and career were notably dramatized in the film “Walk the Line.”
Levon Helm
- Hometown: Elaine
Born Mark Lavon “Levon” Helm, Levon Helm was a singer and drummer. He first tasted success as a member of Ronnie Hawkins’s band. After that, he joined The Band as drummer and with them, released several classic albums and songs including “The Weight” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.”
Helm also had a successful career as an actor, appearing in films like “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “The Right Stuff,” and “Shooter.” He returned to music later in life and won multiple Grammy Awards for his solo albums “Electric Dirt” and “Dirt Farmer.” For his success with The Band and his soulful voice, Helm was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Ronnie Hawkins
UNSPECIFIED - JANUARY 01: Singer Ronnie Hawkins performs on stage in the 1980's. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
- Hometown: Huntsville
One of the biggest musicians from Arkansas is undoubtedly Ronnie Hawkins. Born Ronald Cornett Hawkins, Ronnie Hawkins was a country singer who first found success, ironically, in Canada. Throughout his long career, Hawkins recorded 25 albums and released several hit songs including covers of “Thiry Days” and “Mary Lou.”
Not only an influential musician, Hawkins was also something of a talent scout. Numerous members of his band over the years left and started successful bands in their own right, including Levon Helm with The Band, guitarist Roy Buchanan, and Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band.
Conway Twitty
- Hometown: Born in Mississippi but moved to Helena, Arkansas as a child
Though born in Mississippi, Conway Twitty spent most of his early life in Arkansas. A singer and songwriter, Twitty first tasted fame as a country singer in the 1970s. During this time, he recorded numerous hit songs including “Hello Darlin’,” “You’ve Never Been This Far Before,” and “Linda on My Mind.”
Widely successful, Twitty topped the Billboard Country charts 40 times during his career. For his musical acumen, Twitty won numerous accolades including seven Academy of Country Music Awards, four Country Music Association Awards, and two Grammy Awards.
Beth Ditto
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 24: Beth Ditto performs during the Etam Winter 2019/Summer 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week At Roland Garros on September 24, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
- Hometown: Judsonia
Born Mary Beth Patterson, Beth Ditto is a singer, songwriter, and actress. She first rose to prominence as lead singer for the indie rock band Gossip. For her outlandish sensibilities and soulful voice, Ditto became a cultural icon in the mid-aughts, gracing magazine covers, modeling during Paris Fashion Week, and writing a column for The Guardian.
Also an LGBTQ icon, Ditto wrote a book entitled “Coal to Diamonds: a Memoir.” More recently, Ditto acted as country singer Gigi Roman on the show “Monarch.” For her success, Ditto has won a Glamour Award, an NME Award, a Virgin Media Music Award, and a Gay Music Chart Award.
Big Bill Broonzy
- Hometown: Lake Dick
Born Lee Conley Bradley, Big Bill Broonzy was a blues singer-songwriter and one of the biggest musicians from Arkansas. Though he got his start in the 1920s playing to mostly African-American audiences, Broonzy only tasted success in the 1950s after pivoting to a traditional folk-blues music style.
Though he received little commercial success during his lifetime, Broonzy’s varied style and long career served as inspiration for countless emerging musicians. As a guitarist, he inspired such greats as Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, and Kinks member Ray Davies. For his success, Broonzy was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1980. (For other influential musicians who evaded commercial success, discover the most popular artists who’ve never had a No. 1 hit.)
Glen Campbell
- Hometown: Billstown
Born Glen Travis Campbell, Glen Campbell was a famous country singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He first rose to prominence with a series of hit songs in the 1960s and ’70s, as well as host of his long-running television show “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.”
During his career, Campbell released a whopping 64 albums, selling over 45 million records worldwide. He also was a noted actor, appearing in films like “True Grit,” “The Cool Ones,” and “Any Which Way You Can.” For his musical success, Campbell won 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music Awards, and three American Music Awards. (For other big hits during this time, discover the 25 biggest of the 1960s.)
Evanescence
- Hometown: Litte Rock
Evanescence is a rock band formed by Amy Lee and Ben Moody in 1994. The band first rose to prominence with the release of their debut album “Fallen.” This record produced hit singles “Bring Me to Life” and “My Immortal,” as well as selling 4 million copies and earning the band two Grammy Awards.
The band’s next release, “The Open Door” also produced some hit songs, sold over six million copies, and earned them a Grammy nomination. More recently, Evanescence released their fifth studio album “The Bitter Truth,” which reached the top five of the Billboard Charts. For their success, Evanescence has won three LoudWire Music Awards, three American Music Award nominations, and five MTV Music Video Award nominations.
Ne-Yo
- Hometown: Camden
Another one of the biggest musicians is R&B singer, actor, and dancer Ne-Yo. Born Shaffer Chimere Smith, Ne-Yo first rose to prominence after writing Mario’s hit single “Let Me Love You.” This led to a record contract that produced four successful albums and a string of hit songs including “So Sick,” “Sexy Love,” and “When You’re Mad.”
Ne-Yo is also a successful actor, with roles in hit shows such as “CSI: NY,” “The Wiz,” and the second season of the British version of “The Masked Singer.” For his musical success, Ne-Yo has won two BET Awards, three Grammy Awards, two MOBO Awards, and two Soul Train Music Awards.
Al Green
- Hometown: Forrest City
One of the biggest musicians from Arkansas is singer, songwriter, and pastor Al Green. He first rose to prominence in the early to mid-1970s with a string of hit songs. These include “Take Me to the River,” “Tired of Being Alone,” and “Love and Happiness.” His best-known song “Let’s Stay Together” also came during this period.
Later in his career, after his girlfriend committed suicide, Green became an ordained pastor and turned to gospel music. Considered one of the last great soul singers, Green won 11 Grammy Awards for his successful career, as well as a BMI Icon Award and recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors. In 1995, Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his lifetime of musical success. (For more Americana, discover the 50 most popular songs about America.)