Kinky Friedman is a Texan through and through.
The *Boston Phoenix * has compiled a list of 50 Bands 50 States, with the “best all-time band, best all-time solo artist, and best new band from each state.”
http://thephoenix.com/Supplements/2008/50States/
For my Ohio, they list Pere Ubu, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and Times New Viking, respectively. I can’t argue with Screamin’ Jay, though the McCoys might have gotten some votes (Hang On Sloopy, anybody?), but HELLO? DEVO? Are the Black Keys not a “new band” anymore?
Dwight Yoakam sings quite a few songs about Kentucky.
Doesn’t Bob Seger sing about Detroit/Ann Arbor/Michigan pretty often?
Pretenders/Chrissie Hynde: Ohio (“My City Was Gone,” aka the theme to the Rush Limbaugh Show, is about urban sprawl in her hometown of Akron)
The Smiths: Manchester, UK (lyrics often namecheck parts of the city)
Oasis: Manchester again
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas
XTC: Swindon, UK (their album The Big Express is essentially all about the town and its railway history)
Sting: he avoided it for a while, but between his acting foray in Stormy Monday and The Soul Cages, he talks about his hometown of Wallsend, Newcastle, UK.
Midnight Oil: politically, historically, and geographically about Australia. I found out who Ned Kelly was through them.
The Jam: Woking/London
John Mellencamp: Indiana
I agree with The Clash, but they’re pretty specific about being a London band.
Sorry. I don’t get out of Norwalk much. :o :o :o
The Replacements and the Twin Cities. I haven’t picked up as much of a Minnesota connection with other MN bands like Husker Du and Prince. Although when Prince sings “how can you just leave me standing/ alone in a world so cold?” you know he’s not kidding about the cold part.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are also Boston-centric.
Jimmy Buffet and tropical beaches, Key West, etc.
Harry Connick, Jr. and New Orleans.
Bruce Hornsby and Southeast Virginia. I grew up there and his stuff makes a great soundtrack when I think back/go back to visit (although maybe it’s a self-fulfilling thing, since I listened to his stuff while I was growing up!) Brilliant musician.