This is part 4 of my series.
California (Septermber 9, 1850)
http://youtu.be/9ChADh1zt5I (Kokomo)
Song #1
Artist: Beach Boys
Song: Kokomo
Album: Cocktail (1988)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100: #2
Where group is from: Hawthorne, CA
Why I chose this songs: I had a lot of choices with California. I chose the Beach Boys, because of the fact that they are synonomous with California, at least, the stereotypical version of the state. I chose Kokomo, because it is a catchy song, and I heard it a lot when I used to watch Full House when I was a kid.
Other artists from California: Flying Blind, Huey Lewis and the News, Sugar Ray, and many others
Oakdale, CA artists: Brett Dennan, Aaron Durr, Taking Fox Hollow (my nephew's band. You should check them out if you like metal.)
Minnesota (May 11, 1858)
http://youtu.be/xGytDsqkQY8 (Closing Time)
Artist: Semisonic
Song: Closing Time
Album Feeling Strangely Fine (1998)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100: #11
Where group is from: Minneapolis, MN
Why I chose this song: Honestly, this group was my second choice. However, there are no songs from Prince on youtube. From what I understand, Prince wanted it that way due to copyright issues. However, this song is a great symbol to '90's alternative. It brings me back to my teenage years, driving around (when my parents let me) listening to B 93.1. It was my favorite station at the time. Unfortunately, this is their only hit in the United States.
Other artists from Minnesota: Bob Dylan (I had no idea until I wrote the Semisonic piece), Lipps, Inc., Prince, Soul Asylum
Oregon (February 14, 1859)
http://youtu.be/a7YP4k7rMuc (Nothing Left To Lose)
Artist: Mat Kearney
Song: Nothing Left to Lose
Album: Nothing Left to Lose (2006)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100: #41
Where artist is from: Eugene, OR
Why I chose this song: First, I love this song. I embraced it the first time I heard it. It is something both Christian and secular radio can play, and both have played songs by Kearney. I first heard it when I bought W.O.W. 2008. I find it ironic that it is in the biggest Christian contemplation (sp ?) album, yet, it did not place in the Christian charts. It is my favorite song from Mr. Kearney, and he has some good ones in his young career.
Other artists from Oregon: Meredith Brooks, Everclear, Kutless, Shawn McDonald
Kansas (January 29, 1861)
http://youtu.be/x6L_FhOtPuk (Walking Her Home)
Artist: Mark Schultz
Song: Walking Her Home
Album: Broken and Beautiful (2006)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100: NR
Where artist is from: Colby, KS
Why I chose this song: This is one of the best love songs in my opinion. Though it is not #1, it would be in the top-10 if I actually made a list. When I was single, I dreamed of finding love that was displayed in this song. This is one of two songs that ever made me cry (hearing "The Best Day of my Life" right after my dad died was the other one).
Other artists from Kansas: Melissa Etheridge, Kansas, Jennifer Knapp
West Virginia (June 20, 1863)
http://youtu.be/zWM5P2GgT_E (Who Needs Pictures)
Artist: Brad Paisley
Song: Who Needs Pictures
Album: Who Needs Pictures (1999)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100: #65 (#12 on the Country Album)
Where artist is from: Glen Dale, WV
Why I chose this song: When I decided to do this series of blogs, I had already decided that I was going to have Brad Paisley represent West Virginia. He is on his way to becoming a legend in country music. Paisley has performed so many great songs over the years, that it was hard to choose which song was going to be on here. I decided that I would put the first song I heard of his on here. I became a fan of his from the first song I heard. Another thing I like about Paisley is that his entire albums are great. He has performed many songs that were not released that are just as good, if not better, than the ones performed on radio (this is only my opinion, but Collective Soul, Jars of Clay, and Eminem are the only other ones in that group). If you do buy Paisley's first album, "It Never Woulda Worked Out Anyway" is an entertaining song that never made it to radio. Finally, here is some trivia. Paisley is the youngest singer to make it to the Grand Ole Opry (or so I've been told).
Other artists from West Virginia: Kathy Mattea, Michael W. Smith (born), Little Jimmy Dickins (his name is mentioned in Paisley's "Better Than This", another great song that never made it to radio).
Nevada (October 31, 1864)
http://youtu.be/Y5fBdpreJiU (Somebody Told Me)
Artist: Imagine Dragons
Song: Demons
Album: Night Visions (2012)
Top Position on Billboard Hot 100: #6
Where group is from: Las Vegas, NV
Why I chose this song: It's a catchy song. This band is still young and have come up with two hit songs. I hope they can come up with some more hit songs. I do not get an opportunity to listen to today's music anymore, but I love the songs these guys come up with.
Other artists from Nevada: The Cab, The Killers, Panic! At The Disco
Nebraska (March 1, 1867)
http://youtu.be/SUFSB2plwzM (Amber)
Artist: 311
Song: Amber
Album: From Chaos (2001)
Top Position in Billboard Hot 100: NR
Where group is from: Omaha, NE
Why I chose this song: Believe it or not, this is the first 311 song I have heard. I did not hear "All Mixed Up" until I bought a 90's album a few years later. I do like the musical style of this song, though. When I first researched bands from Nebraska, 311 was the only one I heard of. I did hear of the band in the 1990's, though, and not for a good reason. It was rumored that the members chose that name as a code for KKK (K being the 11th letter of the alphabet, multiplied by 3). The rumor turned out to be false, but the real reason for the name of the band, according to the interview I read, is not squeaky clean, either. In it, they say that "311" is the Omaha, NE police code for indecent exposure. Here is the link for further reading. http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/311.asp
Other artists from Nebraska: None
Colorado (August 1, 1876)
http://youtu.be/hT_nvWreIhg (Counting Stars)
Artist: One Republic
Song: Counting Stars
Album: Native (2013)
Top Position in Billboard Hot 100: #2
Where group is from: Colorado Springs, CO
Why I chose this song: I became a fan of OneRepublic since they hit the mainstream music scene. I was going to choose "Secrets" until this song came out. As good as "Secrets" is, I like this song a lot better.
Other artists from Colorado: 3OH!3 (I should have guessed, "303" being a Colorado area code), Five Iron Frenzy, The Fray, The Lumineers
North Dakota (November 2, 1889)
Artist: Lawrence Welk
Song: None
Where artist was from: Strasburg, ND
I have only heard of Lawrence Welk because my grandma used to watch his show on PBS when I was a kid. I do not know any songs of his. Lawrence Welk died on May 17, 1992. He was 89 years old.
Other artists from North Dakota: None
South Dakota (November 2, 1889)
http://youtu.be/qfKKBDFCiIA (Sunny Came Home)
Artist: Shawn Colvin
Song: Sunny Came Home
Album: A Few Small Repairs (1996)
Top position on Billboard Hot 100: #7
Where artist is from: Vermillion, SD (born)
Why I chose this song: Colvin is the only artist I could find with any connection to South Dakota. She is the 2nd best definition of a one-hit wonder. This is the only song of her's to hit the top 100. I did enjoy listening to the song as a teenager in the late 1990's.
Other artists from South Dakota: None
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