Tennessee Music History

Here you will find a list of notable muscians, artists and historically significant music figures associated with the State of Tennessee. They have made contributions to a variety of music genres including country, gospel, bluegrass, folk, jazz, rock, hip-hop, pop and more as well as fields such as comedy, television, and writing. Also here you will find a list of historically significant performance venues and other places.

The following is a list of notable music artists and historically significant music figures associated with the State of Tennessee along with their respective area

  • Archie Campbell - Bulls Gap
  • Aretha Franklin - Memphis
  • Bessie Smith - Chattanooga
  • Chris Young - Murfreesboro
  • DeFord Bailey - Nashville
  • Del Wood - Nashville
  • Dinah Shore - Nashville
  • Dolly Parton - Sevierville 
  • Dottie West - McMinnville
  • Doyle Lawson - Ford Town
  • Dustin Lynch - Tullahoma
  • Elvis Presley - Memphis
  • Emily Ann Roberts - Knoxville
  • George Morgan - Waverly/Nashville
  • Greater Vision - Morristown
  • Hillary Scott (Lady A) - Nashville
  • Jack Anglin - Nashville
  • James D. Vaughn - Lawrenceburg
  • Jamie Dailey - Gainesboro
  • J. D. Sumner - Nashville/Memphis
  • Jelly Roll - Nashville
  • Jimmy Martin - Sneedville
  • Johnny Wright - Nashville
  • Justin Timberlake - Memphis
  • Kane Brown - Chattanooga
  • Kelsea Ballerini - Knoxville
  • Kenny Chesney - Knoxville
  • Kitty Wells - Nashville
  • Loretta Lynn - Hurricane Mills
  • Lorrie Morgan - Nashville
  • Mandy Barnett - Crossville
  • Minnie Pearl - Centerville
  • Morgan Wallen - Sneedville
  • R. E. Winsett - Dayton
  • Roy Acuff - Maynardville
  • Ruby Wright - Nashville
  • Tennessee Ernie Ford - Bristol
  • Tess Frizzell - Nashville 
  • The Blackwood Brothers - Memphis
  • The Downings - Nashville
  • The Harmoneers Quartet - Knoxville
  • The Happy Goodman Family - Nashville
  • The Hemphills - Nashville
  • The Isaacs - Hendersonville
  • The Kingdom Heirs - Pigeon Forge
  • The McKameys - Clinton
  • The Oak Ridge Boys - Oak Ridge
  • The Osborne Brothers - Knoxville
  • The Rambos - Nashville
  • Tina Tuner - Memphis
  • Triumphant Quartet - Sevierville

Historically significant performance venues in Tennessee:

  • The Ryman Auditorium - Nashville
  • The Grand Ole Opry House - Nashville
  • The Station Inn - Nashville
  • The Bluebird Cafe - Nashville
  • Ernest Tubb Record Shop - Nashville
  • The Bijou Theater - Knoxville
  • The Tennessee Theater - Knoxville
  • The Orpheum Theater - Memphis
  • The Tivoli Theatre - Chattanooga
  • The Historic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium - Chattanooga