1. Ed Droste (1978)

American Singer-songwriter

American singer/song-writer who is an original member of the Brooklyn-based indie-rock band Grizzly Bear. He also played guitar and keyboards.

2. Patty Griffin (1964)

American Singer-songwriter

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who was named the 2007 Artist of the Year by the Americana Music Association.

3. Ace Young (1980)

American Singer-songwriter

Contestant on the fifth season of American Idol who finished in the top seven. He has released singles, including "Addiction" and "Scattered."

4. Dawn Landes (1980)

American Singer-songwriter

Folk rock musician who has collaborated with the likes of Andrew Bird, Jose Gonzalez, and Midlake.

5. Elliott Smith (1969)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer and guitarist who wrote "Needle in the Hay" and who was nominated for an Oscar Award for Best Original Song in a film in 1998.

6. Michael Jackson (1958)

American Singer-songwriter

The King of Pop who became the most successful singer in American history for releasing award-winning hits like "Billie Jean," "Beat It," "They Don't Care About Us" and "Smooth Criminal."

7. Stevie Wonder (1950)

American Singer-songwriter

Motown prodigy and multi-instrumentalist who broke the record for Grammy Awards held by a solo artist with twenty-two titles and released over thirty top ten hits during his career.

8. Henry Rollins (1961)

American Singer-songwriter

Former frontman of the hardcore and punk band Black Flag, which disbanded in 1986. He also fronted The Rollins Band, known for songs like "Liar." In 2013, he began hosting...

9. Charles Kelley (1981)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter best known as a member of the country group Lady A, previously known as Lady Antebellum. He has also written songs for artists like Luke Bryan.

10. Al Dexter (1905)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer and songwriter of one of the most popular songs of World War II, "Pistol Packin' Mama."

11. Ultra Naté (1968)

American Singer-songwriter

Known for such pop and dance hits as "Automatic," "Free," and "Love's the Only Drug," this singer, disc jockey, and music producer also released several albums, including Situation: Critical and...

12. Terri Hendrix (1968)

American Singer-songwriter

Independent multi-instrumentalist who co-wrote Lil' Jack Slade, the Grammy-winning single by the Dixie Chicks.

13. Floyd Tillman (1914)

American Singer-songwriter

Country singer who was a pioneer of the honky tonk style of music and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1984.

14. Deb Talan (1968)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter who is widely known for her time as part of the pop-folk duo The Weepies. She formed the group with Steve Tannen in 2001 after being a fan of...

15. Beth Ditto (1981)

American Singer-songwriter

American singer-songwriter best known as the frontwoman for the indie band Gossip, best known for singles like "Heavy Cross" and "Perfect World." In 2019, she was cast in the TV...

16. Penny Jay (1925)

American Singer-songwriter

Tennessee-born country songwriter and singer best remembered for her 1962 hit "Don't Let Me Cross Over," which was originally performed by Carl and Pearl Butter.

17. Austin Mahone (1996)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer and social media star whose popularity spawned from several viral videos of his 2011 performances, which led him to became known as the "second coming of Justin Bieber." He...

18. Tiara Thomas (1989)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter who was featured on Wale's 2013 single "Bad."

19. Lucy Schwartz (1989)

American Singer-songwriter

American singer best known to her musical contributions to films like Shrek Forever After, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, and What Maise Knew.

20. Josh Turner (1977)

American Singer-songwriter

Country singer whose debut album was Long Black Train in 2003 and who released top ten hits such as "Firecracker," "Your Man," and "All Over Me."

21. Alex Band (1981)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter and musician best known as the guitarist for the group The Calling, best known for the song "Wherever You Will Go."

22. Britt Nicole (1984)

American Singer-songwriter

Born Brittany Nicole Waddell, she is a singer-songwriter who released Gold in 2012, which reached #1 on the Hot Christian albums chart and #41 on the Billboard 200.

23. Minnie Riperton (1947)

American Singer-songwriter

American singer-songwriter best known for her five-octave vocal range. Her biggest hit was her 1975 single "Lovin' You."

24. Jenny Lewis (1976)

American Singer-songwriter

Indie rock singer and songwriter who released her first solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat, in 2006. She served as the lead singer of the band Rilo Kiley from 1998 to...

25. Cara Quici (1985)

American Singer-songwriter

Known for such popular singles as "Away From You" and "Fight" (a cover of the Beastie Boys' hit "Fight For Your Right (To Party)"), this American pop vocalist also had...

26. Bobby Bare (1935)

American Singer-songwriter

Country singer and songwriter who recorded the hit "500 Miles Away From Home." He signed with Capitol Records in 1978, releasing songs like "Sleep Tight Good Night Man."

27. Roy Orbison (1936)

American Singer-songwriter

Texas rocker who released "Oh, Pretty Woman" in 1964 and who sang "Drove All Night," "Crying," and "Dream Baby."

28. Allison Wolfe (1969)

American Singer-songwriter

Best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the punk bands Partyline and Bratmobile, she also recorded one album with a band called Cold Cold Hearts. Her other albums...

29. Chet Powers (1937)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for writing "Get Together," which was a hit in the 1960s.

30. Zack Hexum (1978)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer and songwriter who performed weekly at Hotel Café, Los Angeles and played saxophone for Michael Buble and Dredg. He released his debut album, Introducing Zack Hexum..., in 1998.

31. Kelly Hogan (1965)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer and songwriter who is best known for both her solo career and collaborative projects. She has prominently collaborated with the singer Neko Case's band, and she has toured with...

32. Bobby Hebb (1938)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter whose hit "Sunny" climbed the charts in the U.S., sold more than one million copies, and has been covered by countless artists.

33. Alan Jackson (1958)

American Singer-songwriter

Country singer whose debut was "Here in the Real World" and who blended honky tonk and pop country genres. He has won awards from the Academy of Country Music and...

34. Laura Veirs (1973)

American Singer-songwriter

Musician whose prolific recording career, including 2005's Carbon Glacier: Year of Meteors, garnered great acclaim with critics and fans alike.

35. Dion DiMucci (1939)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter considered one of the most popular rock artists before the British Invasion. He is known for singles like 1961's "Runaround Sue." 

36. Judy Collins (1939)

American Singer-songwriter

Sweet-voiced folk singer of "Both Sides Now." She has won Grammy Awards, as well as being awarded a Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from Pratt Institute.

37. Phil Ochs (1940)

American Singer-songwriter

American protest singer who performed for numerous anti-Vietnam War rallies, civil rights rallies, and organized labor events.

38. Bill Medley (1940)

American Singer-songwriter

Righteous Brothers member who sang "Little Latin Lupe Lu," among other hits.

39. Art Garfunkel (1941)

American Singer-songwriter

Singing partner of Paul Simon in the duo Simon & Garfunkel. He also pursued a solo musical career and acting.

40. Jackie DeShannon (1941)

American Singer-songwriter

American singer and songwriter who had many hit songs in the 1960s, including Put a Little Love in Your Heart in 1969.

41. Madeline Bell (1942)

American Singer-songwriter

Soul singer who gained international fame touring with The Bradford Singers.

42. Carole King (1942)

American Singer-songwriter

Author of numerous #1 hits, including favorites such as "You've Got a Friend" and "You Make Me Feel Like." She was also a successful performer.

43. Justin Lo (1976)

American Singer-songwriter

Popular Cantopop artist best known for albums like his 2005 debut "Justin", which sold 15,000 copies on its first day. He has also been a producer for artists like Janice.

44. Jim Croce (1943)

American Singer-songwriter

Folk singer-songwriter best known for his 1970s hits "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown," "Time in a Bottle," and "Operator."

45. Lana Del Rey (1985)

American Singer-songwriter

Singer-songwriter whose breakout song "Video Games" propelled her to fame in 2011. Her debut album, Born to Die, peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200.

46. Chris Smither (1944)

American Singer-songwriter

Known for Love You Like a Man and I Feel the Same. He used blues, American folk music, and modern poets and philosophers in his music.

47. Bobbie Gentry (1944)

American Singer-songwriter

This singer's big hit was the tragic "Ode to Billie Joe" in 1967, which charted at #1 for multiple weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

48. Bertie Higgins (1944)

American Singer-songwriter

Florida singer best remembered for his hit 1982 album "Just Another Day in Paradise". VH1 named his most famous song, "Key Largo", as one of the Greatest One Hit Wonders...

49. Anita Baker (1958)

American Singer-songwriter

Detroit-based R&B singer who released the 1986 hit single "Sweet Love" and the album Rapture. She was a member of Chapter 8, a funk band.

50. Spencer Saylor (1993)

American Singer-songwriter

Ohio-born singer and songwriter who released his debut EP Highs and Lows in 2014. He'd first gained popularity as a member of the acoustic-pop group SaylorJamison with The Voice's Chris...