DEAR JERRY: I recently heard New York City's "I'm Doin' Fine Now," and it triggered my curiosity as to how many more states are part or all of
a performer's name. Might there even be 50?
Wayne Koehler, Hempstead, N.Y.
DEAR WAYNE: I have successfully completed this challenge, having found 50 artists whose professional moniker includes a direct reference to a state.
Some states are more frequently found, such as New York, California, and Texas. But I had to dig deeper for Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and a few others.
Following the artist's name is one of their releases for some it's their only one with label info and year. Both sides are provided for singles using a different number on each side. Any LPs chosen are identified as such:
ALABAMA
Alabama "My Home's in Alabama" (MDJ 1002-JB) 1980
ALASKA
Alaska Troubadours (Vocal by Hap Smith) "Banoff Bounce"/"Sourdough Blues" Royal Recordings RR-116/RR-117) 1965
ARIZONA
Self-Titled LP: "Arizona" (RCA Victor LPL1-5123) 1976
ARKANSAS
Black Oak Arkansas "Jim Dandy" (Atco 6948) 1974
CALIFORNIA
The California Earthquake "What a Beautiful Feeling" (World Pacific 77931) 1969
COLORADO
Colorado "Country Comfort" (Uni 55280) 1971
CONNECTICUT
Rudy Vallée and His Connecticut Yankees (Vocal Refrain by Rudy Vallée and the Gentlemen Songsters) "Whiffenpoof Song" (Bluebird B-7135) 1937
DELAWARE
Delaware Valley U.S.A. West Featuring Ernie Walker "The Wreck of the Ninety 7" (Kay/Y KY-99785) 1965
FLORIDA
The Florida Deep Six "I Don't Wanna Cry" (Charay C-16) 1966
GEORGIA
Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" (Elektra 7-69502) 1986
HAWAII
Alfred Apaka and His Hawaiian Village Serenaders "My Hawaiian Souvenirs" (Decca 9-29651) 1955
IDAHO
Boots Faye and Idaho Call "Dreamy Moon" (RCA Victor 47-8211) 1963
ILLINOIS
Self-Titled LP: "Illinois Speed Press" (Columbia CS-9792) 1969
INDIANA
Joe Taylor and His Indiana Red Birds "Gonna Trade in My Saddle (On an Old Rockin' Chair)"/"(He's a) Cowboy Auctioneer" (Red Bird 1020/1021) 1955
IOWA
Iowa Roxx with the OHS Madrigal Chorus "Hawkmania" (Action Sports 001) 1984
KANSAS
Kansas "Dust in the Wind" (Kirshner ZS8-4274) 1978
KENTUCKY
The Kentucky Headhunters "Oh Lonesome Me" (Mercury 875450) 1990
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Red "I'm Too Poor to Die" (Glover GP-3002) 1964
MAINE
The Maine "Black & White" (Warner Bros. 523012-2) 2010
MARYLAND
The Marylanders with Buddy Lucas and His Band of Tomorrow "Make Me Thrill Again" (Jubilee 45-5091) 1952
MASSACHUSETTS
Dick Madison and the Massachusetts Delegation "Give a Damn" (Oracle 45-1002) 1968
MICHIGAN
Prince Arky and the Michigan Playboys "I'm Pickin' on You" (Judd 45-1963) 1963
MINNESOTA
Minnesota Marv and the Vanguards "Nobody's Darling But Mine" (Cuca J-1023) 1961
MISSISSIPPI
Self-Titled LP: "Mississippi" (Fantasy F-9438) 1974
MISSOURI
Missouri "Mystic Lady" (Panama PRS-2201) 1978
MONTANA
The Montanas "You've Got to Be Loved" (Independence IND-83) 1968
NEBRASKA
Larry Hobbs and the Nebraska Playboys "Love of the Common People" (Rene R45-1176D) 1968
NEVADA
Nevada Slim "Songs of the Wild West" (Rural Rhythm RRNS-162) 1966
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Freaks "MMoss & Quilt" (Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records BBIBR-004) 2013
NEW JERSEY
The New Jersey Queens and Friends "Party and Don't Worry About It" (Magnet 2) 1973
NEW MEXICO
New Mexico "Skate With Me" (Decade D-205082) 1980
NEW YORK
The New Yorkers "Miss Fine" (Wall 547) 1961
NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Ramblers "Wild Horse" (Columbia 15279) 1928
NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota "Reflection" (Innovative INV-04) 2006
OHIO
Ohio Players "Fire" (Mercury 73643) 1974
OKLAHOMA
Jack Tucker and His Oklahoma Playboys "Surrounded By Sorrow"/"Let Me Practice With You" (Bel Aire 22/23) 1957
OREGON
LP: Oregon "Music of Another Present Era" (Vanguard 79326) 1972
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania Turnpike "People Are Falling in Love (Beautiful People)" (Perception P-516) 1972
RHODE ISLAND
The Rhode Islanders "Born to Wander" (Warner Bros. 5280) 1962
SOUTH CAROLINA
The Soul Searchers of Sumter, South Carolina "Through the Years" (Florentine 45-0015) 1975
SOUTH DAKOTA
LP: "South Dakota All State Chorus (Dr. Robert Berglund Directing the Chorus and Dr. James Neilson Directing the Orchestra)" No label name (S6-7243) 1966
TENNESSEE
Tennessee Ernie Ford "Sixteen Tons" (Capitol F3262) 1955
TEXAS
Texas "I Don't Want a Lover" (Mercury 872 350-7) 1989
UTAH
Utah Carl "Sometime" (Starday 45-301) 1957
VERMONT
Vermont "Living Together" (Kindercore KC-032) 1999
VIRGINIA
Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys "Diesel on My Tail" (Epic 5-10138) 1967
WASHINGTON
Dinah Washington "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" (Mercury 71435) 1959
WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia "Stars on Magic" (Discomagic MIX-326) 1988
WISCONSIN
LP: "The Kids From Wisconsin" (MCM KFW78-12) 1977
WYOMING
The Wyoming Cowboy (Charles Baker) "Utah Carroll" (Champion 16724) 1934
IZ ZAT SO? Sandwiched between Maryland and Virginia is the District of Columbia, and though not a state, they do have a qualifying entry for our list. Here then is number 51:
WASHINGTON D.C.
The Washington D.C.'s "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" (Ember EMB-8190) 1964