If I Was King of Sports #3- Basketball Tournament at the Stockton Arena/209 High School Basketball Tournament

On occasion, I will put in a tournament or series of games I would like to see, even though I know it may not be logical.  Nevertheless, I would like to see it, and I will put it on here, even though I would not expect it.  Like the second blog of the series, I will be combining two things in a blog.  One of the things fits into the "not logical" category.  The other one could happen, and I think should happen.

If I was King of Sports, there would be a basketball tournament of some sort at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA.  Now with the "non-logical" portion is that I would have a giant tournament of all the high school basketball teams in the 209.  The championship portion would take place at the Stockton Arena if I had it my way.

There are 80 teams in the 209.  The top 64 would have a tournament in 2 stages.  The first would take place at campus sites of the top 8 teams.  The second would be at a neutral site to be discussed later.  The bottom 16 would only have one stage called the "Non-advancing tournament". Those 16 would be broken up in two tournaments of 8 teams each, taking place at the number 1 seed.

The seedings would be determined by the previous year's results.  The league winners would have priority for top seeds, the section finalists who were not league winners would be second, and the rest would be determined by a combination of winning percentage and schedule of strength. 

As usual, I will put a model.  The brackets go from A to H.  The teams would be reseeded in the second stage, but if all the #1 seeds survive their bracket, then the A winner would play H in the first round of the second stage.  B would play G, C would play F, and D would play E. 

Locations of 2nd stage:
Stage 1 Champions: Stockton Arena (Stockton)
Stage 1 Runners-Up: University of the Pacific (Stockton)
Stage 1 3rd place: California State University-Stanislaus (Turlock)
Stage 1 4th place: UC-Merced
Stage 1 5th place: Delta Community College (Stockton)
Stage 1 6th place: Modesto Junior College
Stage 1 7th place: Merced College
Stage 1 8th place: Columbia College (Sonora)

Model

Since I don't have access to last year's records, the model is based on this year's performances as of 1/11/14 (according to maxpreps.com).  The section champion and runners-up will move up in seed, since I have access to that.  Also, teams in the same conference cannot be in the same bracket in stage 1, but they can in stage 2. (Note: League leaders in aqua).

 

Stage 1

Bracket A- Host: Modesto Christian
(8) Millennium (Tracy) CCAA 3-10 vs. (1) Modesto Christian TVL 10-7
(5) Ceres WAC 9-9 vs. (4) East Union (Manteca) VOL 8-6
(6) Le Grand SL 7-6 vs. (3) Bear Creek (Stockton) SJAA 14-5
(7) Linden MLL 7-9 vs. (2) Beyer (Modesto) MMC 10-8

Bracket B- Host: Brookside Christian (Stockton)
(8) Johansen (Modesto) MMC 4-11 vs. (1) Brookside Christian (Stockton) CCAA 14-3
(5) Lodi SJAA 8-7 vs. (4) Turlock Christian SL 11-6
(6) Escalon TVL 8-10 vs. (3) Kimball (Tracy) VOL 12-5
(7) Summerville (Tuolumne City) MLL 4-10 vs. (2) Turlock CCC 12-5

Bracket C- Host: Sierra (Manteca)
(8) Lodi Academy MVL 5-9 vs. (1) Sierra (Manteca) VOL 11-5
(5) Gregori (Modesto) MMC 9-8 vs. (4) Amador (Sutter Creek) MLL 11-7
(6) Stagg (Stockton) TCAL 8-11 vs. (3) Ripon Christian SL 11-4
(7) Pacheco (Los Banos) WAC vs. (2) Golden Valley (Merced) CCC 14-5

Bracket D- Host: St. Mary's (Stockton)
(8) Bret Harte (Angels Camp) MLL 5-13 vs. (1) St. Mary's (Stockton) TCAL 16-2
(5) Davis (Modesto) MMC 8-8 vs. (4) Chavez (Stockton) SJAA 11-8
(6) Sonora VOL 7-9 vs. (3) Pitman (Turlock) CCC 12-4
(7) Livingston WAC 7-11 vs. (2) Liberty Ranch (Galt) 13-6

Bracket E- Host: Central Catholic (Modesto)
(8) Hughson TVL 6-11 vs. (1) Central Catholic (Modesto) WAC 15-5
(5) Big Valley (Modesto) CCAA 7-5 vs. (4) Stockton Christian MVL 8-8
(6) Weston Ranch (Stockton) VOL 7-10 vs. (3) West (Tracy) TCAL 12-6
(7) Denair SL 6-11 vs. (2) Argonaut (Jackson) 14-4

Bracket F- Host: Merced
(8) Enochs (Modesto) MMC 5-11 vs. (1) Merced CCC 13-5
(5) Patterson WAC 9-8 vs. (4) Lathrop VOL 9-7
(6) Tokay (Lodi) TCAL 7-10 vs. (3) Delta Charter (Tracy) MVL 11-5
(7) Orestimba (Newman) TVL 6-10 vs. (2) Mariposa SL 14-3

Bracket G- Host: Calaveras (San Andreas)
(8) Waterford SL 4-12 vs. (1) Calaveras (San Andreas) MLL 12-4
(5) Jim Elliot Christian (Lodi) CCAA 9-8 vs. (4) Atwater CCC 12-7
(6) Central Valley Christian (Ceres) IND 3-3 vs. (3) Tracy SJAA 9-6
(7) Los Banos WAC 5-8 vs. (2) Riverbank (TVL) 14-1

Bracket H- Host: Lincoln (Stockton)
(8) Excel Academy (Stockton) IND 4-9 vs. (1) Lincoln (Stockton) SJAA 8-10
(5) Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage (San Andreas) CCAA 4-3 vs. Central Valley (Ceres) WAC 9-5
(6) Delhi SL 9-8 vs. (3) Manteca VOL 11-6
(7) Hilmar TVL 7-13 vs. (2) Holt Academy (Stockton) MVL 9-3

Non-Advancing brackets
These two brackets do not advance to the second stage.  This bracket would take place so these teams would not have to struggle to find opponents to play.  Teams in the same league can play each other at anytime.

Bracket I- Host: Hughes Academy (Stockton)
(8) Venture Academy (Stockton) MVL 0-7* vs. (1) Hughes Academy (Stockton) MVL 2-7
(5) Galt SVC 1-14 vs. (4) Franklin (Stockton) SJAA 1-15
(6) Downey (Modesto) MMC 0-16 vs. (3) Edison (Stockton) TCAL 3-15
(7) Gustine SL 0-12 vs. (2) Ripon TVL 3-15

Bracket J- Host: Tioga (Groveland)
(8) Don Pedro (La Grange) MVL* vs. (1) Tioga (Groveland) MVL 2-7
(5) McNair (Stockton) TCAL 1-16 vs. (4) Oakdale VOL 1-11
(6) Stone Ridge Christian (Merced) CCAA 1-17 vs. (3) Modesto MMC 2-14
(7) Mountain Oaks (San Andreas) MVL 0-3 vs. (2) Buhach Colony (Atwater) CCC 2-13

(*=Note: I know Don Pedro and Tioga used to play as one team.  I do not know if they still do.  If they do, then Venture Academy would be the 8th seed in bracket J, and Hughes Academy would have a 1st round bye.)

I would like to see something like this for all the area codes of California.  Some would be easy.  For example, the 415 is mostly just San Francisco.  The 916 just covers most of Sacramento County (except for Galt) and parts of Yolo and Placer Counties.  Others would have more obsticles than the 209 does.  The 530 covers about 30% of the third largest state by land area.  Plus, there is at least one team in 3 different CIF Sections, plus 4 play in leagues in Nevada.  The 760 covers a bigger chunk and one of its teams could end up having to travel 6 or 7 hours to play in a tournament.  Plus with the overlays being in style, some could end up having to wait until new high schools open.  A little over a year ago, the 669 was formed to overlay with 408.  If this style tournament actually did happen, the 669 would not have a tournament for many years.

None of this could ever happen anyway, it is a thought that happens when I have too much time on my hands.  However, there should be some sort of tournament at Stockton Arena.  It has a potential to bring money to a bankrupt city.  If nothing else, it could provide a "band-aid" for the people who work the concessions by giving some of those people more hours for three days.  Plus, the arena is just sitting there.  It might as well be used to generate money. 


If I was King of Sports #2- NFL Rule Changes

If I was king of sports, I would change 4 rules in the NFL.  Instead of making separate posts, I'll put them all in one blog.

1) Get rid of the pass interference penalty
Does anyone remember the original intent for this rule?  This has become one of the biggest "B.S." rules in football.  A cornerback plays great defense, and his reward is that he gets a flag thrown on him.  When I was a teenager, it was thought that the quarterback was the biggest "baby" in football.  However, thanks, in part, to the increased pass interference calls, the wide receiver now has that title, in my opinion.  Every time he drops a ball, he is crying for a flag.  There was more contact when we played three files up as kids.  In fact, that's my rule.  The contact that is allowed in a game of three flies up, would be allowed in football if I was king of sports, as long as the ball is in the air.  Defensive holding would still not be allowed.  If the defender actually grabs the receiver, then that would still be a penalty. 

The application of the current rule is worse in college football.  If the defender is not turned around when the ball is in the air, it's pass interference.  How is the defender supposed to know when the ball is in the air?  He is trying to cover the receiver.  What ends up happening is that the referees punish the defender, and to borrow a term from an announcer, he is rewarding the quarterback for a bad throw.  The receiver does have the right to get to the ball, but the defender should not have to get out of the way.  He was there first.  What is he supposed to do?  Get out of the way and just hope the receiver drops it?

I love football, and I want it to be a fair game for both the offense and defense, but the application of this rule has made it unfair for the defense.  If my rule does result in too much unnecessary roughness, then I would reluctantly bring the rule back, and make the NFL adapt to the college rule.  It would be a fifteen yard penalty and an automatic first down.

2) Redefine the "helmet-to-helmet" rule
I think the intent of this rule is a great one.  I do have a problem with the execution of the rule.  It was demonstrated in the San Francisco 49ers-Carolina Panthers game.  San Francisco linebacker, Dan Skuta, goes to make a sack on Panthers quarterback, Cam Newton on his blind side.  Skuta is in perfect, legal tackling position.  Newton suddenly turns his head to try to run the other way, collides with Skuta's helmet, and it is a 15-yard penalty on Skuta and an automatic first down.  (Two plays later, Newton threw an interception.) 

Another problem is when the defender goes to tackle the runner low, and the runner ducks his head down, and again, it's helmet-to-helmet, but the defender did not have time to change his momentum. 

If I was king of sports, I would have the referees use judgement.  If it was helmet-to-helmet, and the defender either attacked the runner, or if he had time to change his momentum, then the present rule would stand.  On the other hand, if the defender could not change his momentum, then it will be a 10-yard penalty, and there would be no automatic first down.  I know the application of the rule could make the game a few minutes longer, but I would not allow the offense to use the helmet as a weapon while the defender is stuck with a 15-yard penalty.

3) Redefine "process of a catch" rule
I am sure the "process of a catch" has always been the rule, but it was made famous a few years ago when the Detroit Lions lost to the Chicago Bears, because the Lions receiver, Calvin Johnson, I believe, dropped the ball at the end of his roll after he fell in the end zone.  Since that time, this has quickly become another "BS rule" in the infancy of the term.  Johnson caught the ball in the end zone, maintained possession until he landed and dropped the ball. The referees said that he did not complete "the process of the catch".

If I was king of sports, I would allow this rule be maintained in the field of play when fumbles are in question or if it was an incomplete pass.  However, if the receiver has possession when he is out of bounds or in the end zone, then it is a catch, period.

4) Stiff arms are ok, but if the runner grabs the defender's face make, 15-yard penalty on the runner.
One of the few things I never understood in sports is why is the defender not allowed to grab the face mask, but the offense is.  I understand and admire the stiff arm, but again, sports should be fair to both sides, and this is just not fair.  I have seen running backs get away with tugging the face mask in a stiff arm, but when a defender even grazes the face mask, even by accident, it is a 15-yard penalty.  Occasionally, the referees will call it on both sides on the linemen, but outside of that, I can literally count on one hand the amount of times I have seen the running back get flagged for the face mask.

Therefore, if I was king of sports, in interest of fairness for both sides, the stiff arm will continued to be admired, but if the face mask is grabbed, it would be a 15-yard penalty.

If I Was King of Sports Blog #1

If I was King of Sports, there would be a college football bowl game in every state.  I wouldn't add more NCAA division I-FBS games, but I would fill them with divisions I-FCS, II, and III teams who were not chosen for their respective playoffs.  The reason I would do this is to reward college football fans all over the nation with a bowl game.  Plus, I can reward more teams with good seasons with a bowl game.

Again: I would keep the Division I-FBS bowls the way they are and won't write them down.  The top team in each conference would get a bid.  For the first year, I would make it strictly that.  All other years, I would take the top team in the conference who is bowl eligible by I-FBS standards.  If there are no other teams, I would take an at-large team.  I will present a model, though it wouldn't have to be strictly this model. I also understand that some teams play unofficial bowl games already, but honestly, I would ignore all those and allow them to play a 2nd bowl game.

NCAA Division I-FCS Bowls

State  Conferences  Teams                                                                      Where I would have the game

IL      OVC vs. MVC    Tennessee-Martin (7-5) vs. Youngstown St. (8-4)   Chicago, IL

PA     Patriot vs. CAA  Lehigh (8-3) vs. Villanova (6-5)                               Pittsburgh, PA

OH    PIO vs. At-large  Marist (8-3) vs. Charleston Southern (10-3)            Cleveland, OH

NJ     Ivy vs. NEC         Harvard (9-1) vs. Duquesne (7-4)                            East Rutheford, NJ

VA    SWAC vs. MEAC Southern (9-4) vs. Delaware St. (5-6)                   Charlottesville, VA

WA  BSC vs. SLD        Montana St. (7-5) vs. Central Arkansas (7-5)          Seattle, WA

MA  SOU vs. Big South Chattanooga (8-4) vs. Liberty (8-4)                       Foxborough, MA

IN  At-large vs. At-large Alcorn St. (9-3) vs. Dayton (7-4)                          Indianapolis, IN

MO At-large vs. At-large Mercer (7-4) vs. Princeton (8-2)                           Kansas City, MO

WI At-large vs. At-large Georgia Southern (7-4) vs. So. Illinois (7-5)        Green Bay, WI

WY At-large vs. At-large Jackson St. (8-4) vs. No. Carolina AandT (7-4)     Laramie, WY

 

NCAA Division II Bowls

State Conferences              Teams                                                             Where I would have the game
MN  GNAC vs. NSIC    Azusa Pacific (9-2) vs. SW Minnesota St. (7-5) Minneapolis, MN
CO   LSC vs. RMAC     Eastern New Mexico (7-3) vs. Colorado Mines (8-3) Denver, CO
SC   GSC vs. SAC         West Alabama (8-3) vs. Catawba (6-5)                Columbia, SC
KY CIAA vs. SIAC       Fayetteville St. (6-4) vs. Miles (6-3)                    Louisville, KY
OR At-large vs. At-large Washburn (8-3) vs. Western Oregon (7-4)         Eugene, OR
OK MIAA vs. GAC      Pittsburg St. (10-2) vs. Harding (9-2)                   Tulsa, OK
CT PSAC vs. NE-10      Indiana (PA) (9-2) vs. New Haven (8-3)             Storrs, CT
IA  GLIAC vs. GLVC   Ferris St. (8-3) vs. Truman St. (7-4)                     Iowa City, IA
MS At-large vs. MEC    Chadron St. (8-3) vs. Concord (8-3)                    Oxford, MS
AR At-large vs. At-large Findlay (8-3) vs. Southern Arkansas (6-4)         Fayetteville, AR

NCAA Division III Bowls

State Conferences             Teams                                                              Where I would have the game
KS    ASC vs. SCAC       Louisiana College (7-3) vs. Texas Lutheran (8-1)  Manhattan, KS
UT   NWC vs. SCIAC    Williamette (7-2) vs. Chapman (8-1)                       Salt Lake City, UT
NE   IIAC vs. MWC        Simpson (IA) vs. Illinois College                           Lincoln, NE
WV  ECFC vs. PAC       Norwich (7-3) vs. Thomas More (9-1)                    Morgantown, WV
ME  NEFC vs. UAA       Salve Regina (7-4) vs. Case Western Reserve (5-4) Orono, ME
NH MESCAC vs. NESCAC Western CT State (8-2) vs. Amherst (7-1)        Manchester, NH
RI     E8 vs. LL               Alfred (8-3) vs. St. Lawrence (7-3)                         Providence, RI
MT CCIW vs. NACC     Wheaton (8-2) vs. Lakeland (7-3)                            Bozeman, MT
DE    CC vs. ODAC        Muhlenberg (8-3) vs. Randolph Macon (7-3)         Newark, DE
SD   UMAC vs. MIAC   Greenville (9-1) vs. Concordia-Moorhead (8-2)     Sioux Falls, SD
AK WIAC vs. At-large   Wisconsin-Oshkosh vs. Southern Virginia (8-2)    Anchorage, AK
ND HC vs. CAC              Rose-Hullman (7-3) vs. Heidelburg (8-2)              Fargo, ND
DC SAA vs. USA            Millsaps (9-1) vs. Methodist (8-2)                         Washington, DC
VT  MAC vs. NJAC        Lycoming (7-3) vs. Brockport (8-3)                      Burlington, VT

Artists by state #11-20

Last blog, I gave 10 songs by artists in states that were 1-10 in the union, this time, I will be doing 11-20.

New York (July 26, 1788)

http://youtu.be/355Fk8drgZE (Gloria)

Artist: Laura Branigan
Song: "Gloria"
Album: Branigan (1982)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #2
Where artist was from: Brewster, NY

Why I chose this song: Simply, this song keep popping up in my head.   It is a great song, and there is a short story behind it.  The story I will repeat is from several sources.  It was originally an Italian song.  In the Italian version, it is about a man's love for a woman named Gloria.  When the English version was written, they decided to give "Gloria" a dark side about her life.  Rarely I do not like the songs in the original language after being translated into English, but this is an exception. I love this song.  Laura Branigan passed away on August 26, 2004.  She was 47 years old.

Other artists from New York: Billie Holiday Jay-Z, Ma$e, Notorious B.I.G.

North Carolina (November 21, 1789)

http://youtu.be/nJzBcKM3ZIE (September)

Artist: Daughtry
Song: "September"
Album: Leave This Town (2010)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #36
Where artist is from: McLeansville, NC

Why I chose this song: I chose this song for three reasons.  First, it just happens to be September when I am writing this.  Second, though I hate the show, American Idol, was a big staple in the American pop culture.  It is not as big as it used to be, but it is still on tv.  I thought I should put an artist on here, whether he or she won or not.  There are not many songs I like from the American Idol group, but I like this one.

Other artists from North Carolina: Clay Aiken, Bucky Covington, Andy Griffith (he put some albums out), Petey Pablo

Rhode Island (May 29, 1790)

http://youtu.be/-NlT-ELVWk0 (One Voice)

Artist: Billy Gilman
Song: "One Voice"
Album: One Voice (2000)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #38
Where artist is from: Hope Valley, RI

Why I chose this song: Remember that cute 11-year old that had a future in country music?  That was him, and this is the song.  However, it turned out that "One Voice" would be his only hit (though he did have another song that hit top-40 in the country charts).  This is a good song that this generation of music listeners should listen to.
 
Other artists from Rhode Island: None

Vermont (March 4, 1791)

http://youtu.be/ggWyUEuGcWY (Get Out [Leave])

Artist: JoJo
Song: Get Out (Leave)
Album: JoJo (2004)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #12
Where artist is from: Foxborough, MA (Born in Brattleboro, VT)

Why I chose this song: She is the only artist with any appropriate connection to Vermont that warrants a song on here.  This was a big hit in 2004.  However, I had the feeling her singing career wouldn't last long, and it didn't.  It turns out that she had decided to go into acting, and she was quite successful at it.  She has played on "RV", and made appearances on "The Bernie Mac Show", "Punked" and other shows.  Also, her music career is making a comeback.

Other artists from Vermont: Phish, KT Tunsall

Kentucky (June 1, 1792)

http://youtu.be/byQIPdHMpjc (Achy Breaky Heart)

Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus
Song: "Achy Breaky Heart"
Album: Some Gave All (1992)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #4
Where artist is from: Flatwoods, KY

Why I chose this song:  It should be obvious.  This was a hit song in the 1990's.  Some say he is the one who made the mullet popular in the 1990's.  The song most people, if not all, associate Billy Ray Cyrus with is "Achy Breaky Heart".  It has a good beat to it, and it is easy to play on the guitar.  I do admit that this is one of the few songs that I like now, but I hated when it came out.  Cyrus has other good songs.  He may be a one-hit wonder in the pop world, but he is far from that in the country world.  Most of his hits came from his first two albums, Some Gave All and It Won't Be The Last. And in my opinion, he is a better singer than his daughter, Miley Cyrus.

Other artists from Kentucky: Laura Bell Bundy, Steven Curtis Chapman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, John Michael Montgomery

Tennessee (June 1, 1796)

http://youtu.be/uqv5b0UjR4g (Can't Help Falling In Love)

Artist: Elvis Presley
Song: "Can't Help Falling In Love"
Album: Blue Hawaii (1961)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #2
Where artist was from: Memphis, TN

Why I chose this song: First, though he was born in Tupelo, MS, no one personofies the Tennessee music scene more than Elvis.  There are so many songs to choose from, but this is my favorite Elvis song ever since I heard it on an episode of Cold Case.  There is no doubt he is the most successful American artist in history.  Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977.  He was 42 years old.

Other artists from Tennessee: Trace Adkins, Amy Grant, Lady Antebellum, Dolly Parton

Ohio (March 1, 1803/August 7, 1953)^

http://youtu.be/4APfLNbdao4 (Ain't That Lonely Yet)

Artist: Dwight Yoakam
Song: "Ain't That Lonely Yet"
Album: This Time (1993)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: NR (#2 on Country Chart
Where artist is from: Columbus, OH

Why I chose this song: I am a big fan of Dwight Yoakam.  He is a talented singer and a talented actor.  I chose this particular song, because this is the first song I have heard from him.  Another good song is called, "Streets of Bakersfield," which he did with Buck Owens.

Other artists from Ohio: Bone Thugs & Harmony, Eric Carmen, Macy Gray, Dean Martin

Louisiana (April 30, 1812)

http://youtu.be/cFuU5ySCEaU (Haunted Heart)

Artist: Sammy Kershaw
Song: "Haunted Heart"
Album: Haunted Heart (1993)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: NR (#9 on Country Chart)
Where artist is from: Kaplan, LA

Why I chose this song: I love this song, even when I hated country, I thought it was a good song.  The song tells a good story, and quite honestly, it is a little creepy, but interesting.  It is still a great song 20 years later.

Other artists from Louisiana: Kix Brooks, Chris Cagle, Buddy Guy, Brittney Spears

Indiana (December 11, 1816)

http://youtu.be/HzZ_urpj4As (The Way You Make Me Feel)

Artist: Michael Jackson
Song: "The Way You Make Me Feel"
Album: Bad (1987)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: #1
Where artist was from: Gary, IN

Why I chose this song: Michael Jackson is one of the biggest music stars in history.  He might be just behind Elvis, but not by much.  I had to find room for the "King of Pop".  I could have put him in the Michigan category, but I have reasons for putting who I will put in there, and I will explain when I get there.  Since Jackson was born in Indiana, I could put him here.  "The Way You Make Me Feel" is one of my girlfriend's favorite Michael Jackson songs, and I like it, too.  There are a lot of questions about Jackson's past with his personal life.  While I don't condone some of his actions, I chose to make this blog about the accomplishments the artists have made musically, and one cannot deny his musical genius.  Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009.  He was 50 years old.

Other artists from Indiana: Ray Boltz, Jeremy Camp, Bill Gaither, Crystal Gayle, John "Cougar" Mellencamp

Mississippi (December 10, 1817)

http://youtu.be/6XJff9LPYgE (Hillbilly Rock)

Artist: Marty Stuart
Song: "Hillbilly Rock"
Album: Hillbilly Rock (1990)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100 Chart: NR (#8 on country charts)
Where artist is from: Philadelphia, MS

Why I chose this song: This song goes back to the good old days of country music (as far as I see it).  It is a catchy song, and I still get it stuck in my head over 20 years later.  I am a big fan of Marty Stuart.

Other artists from Mississippi: Faith Hill, B.B. King, Charley Pride, Conway Twitty

^= Ohio got a 2nd unofficial date, because when Ohio became a state, there was no formal admission to become a state, Congress had to vote it in, and the president had to approve, like any law.  There was no formal admission to statehood, and Ohio decided to make one on its 150th anniversary.  It was approved on August 7, 1953 making March 1, 1803 the formal statehood date for Ohio.