South Carolina )'' Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

is one of the

Southern United States The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...

and has produced a number of renowned performers of

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

, rock, blues, R&B,

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...

, bluegrass and other popular styles.

Official music

South Carolina is noted for being the birthplace of

beach music Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, and to a lesser extent, Beach pop, is a regional genre of music in the United States which developed from rock/ R&B and pop music of the 1950s and 1960s. Beach music is most closely associate ...

, an offshoot of early R&B and

rock 'n' roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm an ...

that featured a shuffling beat which spawned the dance called The Shag. This Myrtle Beach-area dance is the official State Dance, although South Carolina has also contributed to two other famous dances, the Charleston in the 1920s, and the

Big Apple "The Big Apple" is a nickname for New York City. It was first popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald, a sportswriter for the '' New York Morning Telegraph''. Its popularity since the 1970s is due in part to a promotional campaign by th ...

in the 1930s. South Carolina also has two official state songs: " Carolina", composed in 1911 with words by

Henry Timrod Henry Timrod (December 8, 1828 – October 7, 1867) was an American poet, often called the "Poet of the Confederacy". Biography Early life Timrod was born on December 8, 1828, in Charleston, South Carolina, to a family of German descent. His gr ...

and music by Anne Custis Burgess, and " South Carolina on My Mind", written in 1985 by Buzz Arledge and Hank Martin. The State also has an "official music",

Negro spiritual Spirituals (also known as Negro spirituals, African American spirituals, Black spirituals, or spiritual music) is a genre of Christian music that is associated with Black Americans, which merged sub-Saharan African cultural heritage with the ex ...

s, sacred Christian songs originally developed in the 19th century.

South Carolina musicians

Perhaps the best known rock band to hail from South Carolina is Columbia's

Hootie & the Blowfish Hootie & the Blowfish are an American soft rock band that were formed in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1986. The band's lineup for most of its existence has been the quartet of Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld. The band w ...

, but other groups such as Spartanburg's

The Marshall Tucker Band The Marshall Tucker Band is an American rock band from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Noted for incorporating blues, country, and jazz into an eclectic sound, the Marshall Tucker Band helped establish the Southern rock genre in the early 1970s. W ...

, The Swinging Medallions,

Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs were an American doo-wop/ R&B vocal group in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Originally the (Royal) Charms, the band changed its name to the Gladiolas in 1957 and the Excellos in 1958, before finally settling o ...

, alternative metal band Crossfade from Columbia, Charleston's indie

Band of Horses Band of Horses is an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle, Washington. Led by singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell, who has served as the band's sole constant member throughout numerous line-up changes, the band's current line-up also inclu ...

, Southern rock band

Needtobreathe Needtobreathe (stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE) is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Seth Bolt (backing vocals, bass), Josh Lovelace (backing vocals, keys), Randall ...

, and

Blue Dogs The Blue Dog Coalition (commonly known as the Blue Dogs or Blue Dog Democrats) is a caucus in the United States House of Representatives comprising centrist members from the Democratic Party. The caucus was founded as a group of conservative ...

also hail from the Palmetto State. Jazz saxophonist Chris Potter from Columbia has released 20 CDs as a leader and performed as a sideman on more than 150 other albums. He is the leader of the ''Chris Potter Underground'' and has regularly performed with many world-class jazz musicians including

Dave Holland David “Dave” Holland (born 1 October 1946) is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for over 40 years. His extensive discography r ...

and

Pat Metheny Patrick Bruce Metheny ( ; born August 12, 1954) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. He is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works, and other side projects. His style incorporates elements of progre ...

. In the December, 2014 issue of ''

Down Beat ' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...

'' magazine, which featured the results of the annual readers poll, Potter was named the number one tenor saxophonist in the world. Other prominent musicians and singers born and/or raised in the state include soul/jazz musicians James Brown,

Brook Benton Benjamin Franklin Peay (September 19, 1931 – April 9, 1988), better known as Brook Benton, was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960 ...

, Maxine Brown, Dizzy Gillespie,

Chubby Checker Chubby Checker (born Ernest Evans; October 3, 1941) is an American rock and roll singer and dancer. He is widely known for popularizing many dance styles, including The Twist dance style, with his 1960 hit cover of Hank Ballard & The Midnight ...

, Eartha Kitt,

Peabo Bryson Robert Peapo "Peabo" Bryson (born April 13, 1951) is an American singer and songwriter. He is known for singing soul ballads (often as a duet with female singers) including the 1983 hit "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love" with Roberta Flack. Bryson ...

, Persona Bell, Arthur Smith, Cat Anderson, Tom Delaney,

Freddie Green Frederick William Green (March 31, 1911 – March 1, 1987) was an American swing jazz guitarist who played rhythm guitar with the Count Basie Orchestra for almost fifty years. Early life and education Green was born in Charleston, South Car ...

, Drink Small, Johnny Helms, Terry Rosen,

Jabbo Smith Jabbo Smith (born Cladys Smith; December 24, 1908 – January 16, 1991) was an American jazz musician, known for his virtuoso playing on the trumpet. Biography Smith was born in Pembroke, Georgia, United States. At the age of six he went into ...

Bill Benford Bill Benford (c. 1902 – before 1994) was an American jazz double-bassist and tubist. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia. Benford was the brother of drummer Tommy Benford. He, like his brother, was a member of the Jenkins Orphanage b ...

, Tommy Benford,

Nick Ashford Ashford & Simpson were an American husband-and-wife songwriting-production team and recording duo of Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946). Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, ...

Darius Rucker Darius Carlos Rucker (born May 13, 1966) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He first gained fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Ca ...

, rock/country musicians John Phillips(Mamas & Papas),

Josh Turner Joshua Otis Turner (born November 20, 1977) is an American country and gospel singer and songwriter. In 2003, he signed to MCA Nashville Records. That same year, his debut album's title track, "Long Black Train", was his breakthrough single ...

, Bill Anderson,

Edwin McCain Edwin Cole McCain (born January 20, 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. His songs " I'll Be" (1998) and "I Could Not Ask for More" (1999) were radio top-40 hits in the U.S., and five of his albums have reached the ''Billboard ...

Duncan Sheik Duncan Sheik (born November 18, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter and composer. Sheik is known for his 1996 debut single " Barely Breathing", which earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He has composed m ...

, Rob Thomas, Marcus King,

Walter Hyatt Walter Hyatt (October 25, 1949 – May 11, 1996) was an American singer and songwriter. His group, Uncle Walt's Band, was involved in the alternative music scene in Austin, Texas. Early life Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Walter Hyatt was ...

, David Ball, and Esquerita. Darius_Rucker

Country/bluegrass

The state's bluegrass scene has produced important bands such as The Hired Hands featuring pioneering three-finger banjo player Dewitt "Snuffy" Jenkins and old time fiddler Homer "Pappy" Sherrill. Other notable groups are The Hinson Girls, featuring four sisters from Lancaster, and Palmetto Blue, featuring two South Carolina Folk Heritage Award Recipients: Chris Boutwell (2014) and Ashley Carder (2012), along with vocalist and bassist Shellie Davis, banjoist Steve Willis, flatpicking guitarist Edward Dalton, and South Carolina junior fiddle champion Ella Thomas. Bluesmen

Pink Anderson Pinkney "Pink" Anderson (February 12, 1900 – October 12, 1974) was an American blues singer and guitarist. Life and career Anderson was born in Laurens, South Carolina, and raised in nearby Greenville and Spartanburg. He joined Dr. William ...

(namesake for Pink Floyd; buried in Spartanburg) and

Reverend Gary Davis Reverend Gary Davis, also Blind Gary Davis (born Gary D. Davis, April 30, 1896 – May 5, 1972), was a blues and gospel singer who was also proficient on the banjo, guitar and harmonica. Born in Laurens, South Carolina and blind since infan ...

were both from Laurens, S.C. Charleston's Roger Bellow, a South Carolina Folk Heritage Award Recipient and former host of the "Vintage Country" radio show on

SCETV South Carolina Educational Television (branded as South Carolina ETV, SCETV or simply ETV) is a state network of Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) member television stations serving the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is owned and operated b ...

radio and WYLA-LP, leads the long-running country/swing band The Drifting Troubadours.

Soul/R&B

The

Beach music Beach music, also known as Carolina beach music, and to a lesser extent, Beach pop, is a regional genre of music in the United States which developed from rock/ R&B and pop music of the 1950s and 1960s. Beach music is most closely associate ...

classic "

Stay Stay may refer to: Places * Stay, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in the US Law * Stay of execution, a ruling to temporarily suspend the enforcement of a court judgment * Stay of proceedings, a ruling halting further legal process in a tri ...

" by Lancaster's

was #1 on the

Billboard Hot 100 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streamin ...

in 1960. James Brown's (buried in Aiken County) soul and funk song "

I Got You (I Feel Good) "I Got You (I Feel Good)" is a song by American singer James Brown. First recorded for the album ''Out of Sight'' and then released in an alternate take as a single in 1965, it was his highest-charting song and is arguably his best-known record ...

" was #3 on the Hot 100 in 1965, and #1 on the Rhythm and Blues Singles. Greenville's

's R&B song "

A Whole New World "A Whole New World" is the signature song from Disney's 1992 animated feature film ''Aladdin'', with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. A duet originally recorded by singers Brad Kane and Lea Salonga in their respective roles as the ...

" from ''Aladdin'' was #1 on the

in 1993.

Rock/pop

Hootie & The Blowfish Hootie & the Blowfish are an American soft rock band that were formed in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1986. The band's lineup for most of its existence has been the quartet of Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld. The band w ...

's roots rock song " Only Wanna Be With You" was #1 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart in 1995. Hootie's debut album ''

Cracked Rear View ''Cracked Rear View'' is the debut studio album by Hootie & the Blowfish, released on July 5, 1994, by Atlantic Records. Released to positive critical reviews, it eventually sold 10.2 million copies in the United States, becoming one of the best- ...

'' was the best-selling album of 1995, the 7th best-selling album of the 90s, and is the 19th-best-selling album

List of best-selling albums in the United States This is a list of the best-selling albums in the United States based on RIAA certification and Nielsen SoundScan sales tracking. The criteria are that the album must have been published (including self-publishing by the artist), and the album must ...

of all time. Their 2nd album ''

Fairweather Johnson ''Fairweather Johnson'' is the second studio album by American rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, released on April 23, 1996, through Atlantic Records. Three songs from the album were released as singles: "Old Man & Me", "Tucker's Town", and "Sad Ca ...

'' also went to #1 on the

Billboard 200 The ''Billboard'' 200 is a record chart ranking the 200 most popular music albums and EPs in the United States. It is published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine and is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of ar ...

in 1996. The Upstate band

had a #2 album on the Billboard 200 with '' Hard Love'' in 2016. Indie folk singer

Iron & Wine Samuel "Sam" Ervin Beam (born July 26, 1974), better known by his stage name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. He has released six studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases, which include a ...

had a #2 album on the Billboard 200 with '' Kiss Each Other Clean'' in 2011. Country star

has had two #2 albums on the Billboard 200: ''

Charleston, SC 1966 ''Charleston, SC 1966'' is the third studio album and the second country album from American recording artist Darius Rucker. It was released in the United States on October 12, 2010, through Capitol Nashville. Background In a '' CMT'' news-post, ...

'' in 2010 and '' True Believers'' in 2013, as well as 9 #1 songs on the Country Airplay chart from 2008 to 2020. Country singer

from Florence County had a #2 album on the Billboard 200 with '' Your Man'' in 2006. And country singer

Lee Brice Kenneth Mobley Brice Jr. (born June 10, 1979), known professionally as Lee Brice, is an American country music singer and songwriter, signed to Curb Records. Brice has released five albums with the label: '' Love Like Crazy'', '' Hard to Love'', ...

from Sumter had 2 #5 albums on the Billboard 200 with '' Hard 2 Love'' in 2012 and '' I Don't Dance'' in 2014.

Toro y Moi Chaz Bear (born Chazwick Bradley Bundick; November 7, 1986), known professionally as Toro y Moi, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and graphic designer. He is often recognized as a spearhead of the chillwave genre in the 2010s ...

, a popular electronic artist (who had a #1 album on the Dance Chart with '' Anything in Return'' in 2013), and rapper

Lil Ru Sylvester Samuel, better known by his stage name Lil Ru, also known as Boobie Samuel, is an American rapper signed to Def Jam Recordings. His debut album, ''21 & Up'' was released on August 25, 2009. After Angie Stone helped him secure a deal w ...

are both from Columbia. Urban centers in the state including Greenville, Columbia,

Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach is a resort city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is located in the center of a long and continuous stretch of beach known as "The Grand Strand" in the northeastern part of the state. Its ...

, and Charleston continue to have thriving

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

and hip hop scenes.

Prominent venues

The region of

has been home to the well-known '' Carolina Opry'', a country music-based variety show, established in 1986 by singer, producer and entrepreneur, Calvin Gilmore, South Carolina's official country music ambassador, who continues to produce and perform in the show today. The ''Carolina Opry'' was the first live family entertainment venue on the Grand Strand and helped turn Myrtle Beach into one of the major centers for country music on the East Coast. Local venues include the ''Dolly Parton's Pirates Voyage'', one of many attractions owned by

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

, the ''Alabama Theater'', named for the band

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...

. Other artists tried their hand with their own theaters which did not last, such as Ronnie Milsap and the Gatlin Brothers. Myrtle Beach is also home to the South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival. The Carolina Country Music Fest has been held on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk since 2015. Outside of Myrtle Beach, the town of West Columbia is notable as the home of Bill Wells of the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass; he is the owner of a local music shop, which hosts a weekly bluegrass show at the ''Pickin' Parlor''.Byron, pgs. 178 - 182 Lesser known venues include the Radio Room in Greenville, Ground Zero in

Spartanburg Spartanburg is a city in and the seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city of Spartanburg has a municipal population of 38,732 as of the 2020 census, making it the 11th-largest city in the state. For a time, the Offi ...

, the New Brookland Tavern in West Columbia and the

House of Blues House of Blues is an American chain of live music concert halls and restaurants. It was founded by Isaac Tigrett, the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, co-star of the 1980 film ''The Blues Brothers''. The first location opened at Ha ...

North Myrtle Beach North Myrtle Beach is a city in Horry County, South Carolina, United States. It was created in 1968 from four existing municipalities, and is located about northeast of Myrtle Beach. It serves as one of the primary tourist destinations along ...

as well as the Pour House on James Island, and the Music Farm with locations in downtown Charleston and Columbia. The Five Points district in Columbia features a variety of bands each year at its St. Patrick's Day festival. Charleston's WYLA FM (97.5 mHz) programs almost entirely local and in-state artists. The station broadcasts 24 hours per day from studios at the Charleston County Main Library, where they also host live performances.

Lists of musicians and bands

;Musicians * Gus Aiken, jazz trumpeter * Bill Anderson, country singer * BC Villanova, musician * Cat Anderson, jazz trumpeter * Pinkney "Pink" Anderson, Piedmont blues singer *

* John Blackwell *

, country singer * Ben Bridwell, singer * Arthur Briggs, jazz trumpeter and bandleader * James Brown * Maxine Brown, soul singer *

* Chazwick Bundick *

Julian Dash Julian Dash (April 9, 1916 – February 25, 1974) was an American swing music jazz tenor saxophonist born in Charleston, South Carolina, United States, probably better known for his work with Erskine Hawkins and Buck Clayton. Dash was a member o ...

, jazz tenor saxophonist *

, blues and gospel singer and guitarist * Ray Davis * Tom Delaney * Jacks Flat (musician, songwriter, and singer) *

Ronnie Free Ronnie Free (born Ronald Guy Free on January 15, 1936, in Charleston, South Carolina) is an American jazz drummer. His recording credits date back to the 1950s and he has collaborated with many notable jazz musicians including pianists Mose Alli ...

, jazz drummer * Dizzy Gillespie, jazz trumpeter *

Trevor Hall Trevor Hall may refer to: * Trevor Hall (musician), American singer, lyricist and guitarist * Trevor Hall (album), ''Trevor Hall'' (album), an album by Trevor Hall * Trevor Hall (rugby league), New Zealand landlord, salesman, and professional rugby ...

, reggae rock *

Jimmy Hamilton Jimmy Hamilton (May 25, 1917 – September 20, 1994) was an American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist, who was a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Biography Hamilton was born in Dillon, South Carolina, United States, and grew up in ...

, jazz clarinetist and saxophonist * Johnny Helms, jazz trumpeter * Bertha Hill, blues singer *

Danielle Howle Danielle Howle (born in Columbia, South Carolina) is an American singer-songwriter and music producer. Biography After releasing an early song on a Columbia, South Carolina music sampler in the late 1980s, Howle joined the Columbia-based band ...

, singer and guitarist * J.B. Hutto, blues singer and guitarist *

James Jamerson James Lee Jamerson (January 29, 1936 – August 2, 1983) was an American bass player. He was the uncredited bassist on most of the Motown Records hits in the 1960s and early 1970s (Motown did not list session musician credits on their releases ...

, bassist *

Buddy Johnson Woodrow Wilson "Buddy" Johnson (January 10, 1915 – February 9, 1977) was an American jump blues pianist and bandleader active from the 1930s through the 1960s. His songs were often performed by his sister Ella Johnson, most notably " Since I ...

, jazz pianist and bandleader *

Ella Johnson Ella Johnson (June 22, 1919 – February 16, 2004) was an American jazz and rhythm and blues singer. Music career Born Ella Mae Jackson in Darlington, South Carolina, United States, she joined her brother Buddy Johnson in New York as a teenag ...

, jazz singer *

Etta Jones Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Her best-known recordings are "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me". She worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Gene A ...

, jazz singer * Rufus "Speedy" Jones, jazz drummer *

Taft Jordan Taft Jordan (February 15, 1915 – December 1, 1981) was an American jazz trumpeter. Life and career He was born in Florence, South Carolina, United States. Jordan played early in his career with the Washboard Rhythm Kings, before becoming a me ...

, jazz trumpeter *

Norman Keenan Norman Dewey Keenan (November 23, 1916 in Union, South Carolina – February 12, 1980 in New York City) was an American jazz double-bassist. Keenan began playing piano before learning bass at age 15. He worked with Tiny Bradshaw (mid-1930s), Luc ...

, jazz double bassist * Aubrey Key, Singer * Eartha Kitt, jazz singer and actress * Linda Martell *

* Josie Miles, blues singer *

James "Bubber" Miley James Wesley "Bubber" Miley (April 3, 1903 – May 20, 1932) was an American early jazz trumpet and cornet player, specializing in the use of the plunger mute. Early life (1903–1923) Miley was born in Aiken, South Carolina, United States ...

, jazz trumpeter * Pete Minger, bebop jazz trumpeter *

Alphonse Mouzon Alphonse Lee Mouzon (November 21, 1948 – December 25, 2016) was an American jazz fusion drummer and the owner of Tenacious Records, a label that primarily released Mouzon's recordings. He was a composer, arranger, producer, and actor. He ga ...

, jazz drummer *

Houston Person Houston Person (born November 10, 1934) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the ...

, jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader * John Phillips *

Bill Pinkney Willie “Bill” Pinkney (August 15, 1925 – July 4, 2007) was an American performer and singer. Pinkney was often said to be the last surviving original member of The Drifters, who achieved international fame with numerous hit records. He ...

, singer * Chris Potter, jazz saxophonist and composer *

Arthur Prysock Arthur Prysock Jr. (January 1, 1924 According to his obituary in ''The New York Times'', "his heavy, deep voice projected a calm, reassuring virility." Life and career Prysock was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Many sources give his bir ...

, jazz singer * Susan Reed, singer * Terry Rosen, jazz guitarist *

, singer *

Snookum Russell Snookum Russell (April 6, 1913 – August 1981) was an American pianist and leader of a territory band that played tobacco warehouses and dance halls in the South and Midwest in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Russell was born in Columbia, South ...

, pianist and bandleader *

, singer-songwriter * Drink Small, blues guitarist and singer *

Cliff Smalls Clifton Arnold (3 March 1918 – 2008), better known as Cliff Smalls, Feather, Leonard and Ira Gitler. ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz'' was an American jazz trombonist, pianist, conductor and arranger who worked in the jazz, soul and rhy ...

, pianist, trombonist and bandleader * Chris Smith, composer *

Clara Smith Clara Smith (March 13, 1894 – February 2, 1935) was an American classic female blues singer, billed as the "Queen of the Moaners", although she had a lighter and sweeter voice than many of her contemporaries. Clara Smith was not related to ...

, blues singer * Cootie Stark, Piedmont bluesman *

Angie Stone Angela Laverne Brown (born December 18, 1961) known professionally as Angie Stone, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She rose to fame in the late 1970s as member of the hip hop trio The Sequence. In the early 1990s ...

, pop vocalist * Baby Tate, Piedmont blues * James "J.T." Taylor, singer * Rob Thomas, singer-songwriter *

Lucky Thompson Eli "Lucky" Thompson (June 16, 1924 – July 30, 2005) was an American jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist whose playing combined elements of swing and bebop. Although John Coltrane usually receives the most credit for bringing the soprano sa ...

, jazz saxophonist *

Melanie Thornton Melanie Janene Thornton (May 13, 1967 – November 24, 2001) was an German-American pop and dance music singer. She was the lead singer of the Eurodance group La Bouche from 1994 to 2000, alongside American rapper Lane McCray. Their two most ...

La Bouche La Bouche (French for "The Mouth", ) is a German-American Euro-Dance duo best known for the hits " Be My Lover", " Sweet Dreams", " You Won't Forget Me" and "Tonight is the Night".IMO Records"La Bouche Biography", ''IMO Records' Retrieved on 08 M ...

singer *

Aaron Tippin Aaron Dupree Tippin (born July 3, 1958) is an American country music singer, songwriter and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Nashville in 1990. His debut single, "You've Got to ...

, country singer * Buck Trent, country singer and musician *

, country singer *

James Blood Ulmer James "Blood" Ulmer (born February 8, 1940) is an American jazz, free funk and blues guitarist and singer. Ulmer plays a Gibson Byrdland guitar. His guitar sound has been described as "jagged" and "stinging". His singing has been called "ragg ...

, jazz guitarist * Blind Willie Walker, Piedmont blues *

Baby Washington Justine Washington (born October 13, 1940), usually credited as Baby Washington, but credited on some early records as Jeanette (Baby) Washington, is an American soul music vocalist, who had 16 '' Billboard'' R&B chart entries in 15 years, mo ...

, soul singer * Ron Westray, jazz trombonist * Sandy Williams, jazz trombonist *

Josh White Joshua Daniel White (February 11, 1914 – September 5, 1969) was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, actor and civil rights activist. He also recorded under the names Pinewood Tom and Tippy Barton in the 1930s. White grew up in the Sout ...

, Piedmont blues singer and guitarist *

Webster Young Webster English Young (December 3, 1932 – December 13, 2003) was an American jazz trumpeter and cornetist. Born in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Washington, D.C., Young was known for his lyrical playing, and performed with John Coltra ...

, jazz trumpeter ;Bands * Atlas Road Crew – Columbia * Aubrey Key and The Aubrey keys - Clemson and Jonesville *

– Charleston *Bedlam Hour - Columbia *Brother – Columbia (1969 – 75) *Captain Easy - Columbia * Carolina Liar – Moncks Corner * Chasen – Greenville *

Cravin' Melon Cravin' Melon is a rock band based out of Clemson, South Carolina, United States. The band is composed of Doug Jones (lead vocals, guitar), Jimbo Chapman (lead guitar, vocals), Rob Clay (bass, vocals), Gary Greene (drums, vocals), Chad Barger (ke ...

– Clemson * Crossfade – Columbia * Daddy's Beemer – Clemson * Deepfield – Charleston *Discomfort *The Dubplates – Charleston * Emery – Rock Hill *

The Explorers Club The Explorers Club is an American-based international multidisciplinary professional society with the goal of promoting scientific exploration and field study. The club was founded in New York City in 1904, and has served as a meeting point fo ...

– Charleston *

Graves of Valor Graves of Valor is an American death metal band formed in 2005, hailing from Florence, South Carolina, United States. They signed a deal with Relapse Records and have since released their only album, ''Salarian Gate'', on May 26, 2009. His ...

– Florence * Guyana Punch Line – Columbia *

– Columbia *

Hundredth In arithmetic, a hundredth is a single part of something that has been divided equally into a hundred parts. For example, a hundredth of 675 is 6.75. In this manner it is used with the prefix "centi" such as in centimeter. A hundredth is the re ...

– Myrtle Beach * I Nine – Orangeburg *

– Chapin * Islander – Greenville *In/Humanity * Jump, Little Children – Charleston * Madam Adam – Charleston * The Movement (reggae band) – Columbia *

– Spartanburg *Marytre (pronounced "merry tree") *

– Lancaster *

needtobreathe Needtobreathe (stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE) is an American rock band from Seneca, South Carolina. The band is composed of Bear Rinehart (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Seth Bolt (backing vocals, bass), Josh Lovelace (backing vocals, keys), Randall ...

– Seneca *

Nile The Nile, , Bohairic , lg, Kiira , Nobiin: Áman Dawū is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the longest river in Africa and has historically been considered the longest ...

– Greenville *Sanctuary – Columbia (1975 – 78) * Sent By Ravens – Hartsville *

The Sequence The Sequence was an American female hip–hop trio from Columbia, South Carolina, who formed in 1979. The Sequence is noted as the first female hip hop trio signed to the Sugar Hill Records label in the late–1970s and early–1980s. The group ...

– Columbia * Sequoyah Prep School – Florence *

Shovels & Rope Shovels & Rope are an American folk duo from Charleston, South Carolina composed of husband and wife Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst. Combining threads from their individual solo careers, Shovels & Rope blends traditional folk, rock and roll ...

– Charleston *Sidestep Dog - Greenville * Souls Harbor - Beaufort *

The Sparkletones The Sparkletones (sometimes credited as Joe Bennett & the Sparkletones) were an American rock and roll/rockabilly group from Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. History The Sparkletones formed in 1956 at Cowpens High School in Spartanbu ...

– Spartanburg *

Stretch Arm Strong Stretch Arm Strong (Also known as Stretch Armstrong) is a hardcore punk band from Columbia, South Carolina, and the flagship band for We Put Out Records. They were primarily active from 1992 to 2005. Several of the band members are outspoken ...

– Irmo * Susto – Charleston * The Swinging Medallions – Greenwood *

Through the Eyes of the Dead Through the Eyes of the Dead is an American deathcore band from Florence, South Carolina, formed in 2003. They have released four full-length albums, one EP, and one split album with The Knife Trade. History The band was formed by Justin Longsh ...

– Florence * Uncle Walt's Band – Spartanburg * Villa*Nova - Columbia *WARHEAD – Charleston *Wildfire – Columbia (1969 – 73) *

The Working Title The Working Title was formed in 2001 and released their first E.P. ''Everyone Here Is Wrong'' in 2003. The EP was rated 5 out of 5 in Alternative Press Magazine, which also labeled The Working Title "A Band To Watch". The band's next LP, About F ...

– Charleston

References

External links

Local Music Scene SCReverend Gary DavisPinkney "Pink" AndersonScene SC
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South Carolina culture