When you think of musical hotspots in America, Iowa might not be the first place that springs to mind—but it should be. This Midwestern gem has quietly produced some of the most influential, groundbreaking, and unforgettable voices in music history. From haunting metal anthems and soulful R&B ballads to heartwarming folk tunes and silky pop classics, Iowa’s musical roots run deep and wide. Whether it’s the thunderous roar of Slipknot shaking arenas worldwide or the gentle croon of Andy Williams echoing timeless romance, artists from the Hawkeye State have left a powerful mark on nearly every genre imaginable.
What’s most remarkable is the diversity: Iowa has nurtured jazz pioneers, country-folk philosophers, chart-topping pop idols, and fearless female trailblazers—all with stories as compelling as their songs. These artists didn’t just chase fame; they shaped soundscapes, challenged norms, and brought something uniquely Iowan to the global stage.
In this list, we’re celebrating the top 10 most popular and iconic singers and bands from Iowa—those who defined eras, inspired millions, and proved that world-class talent can come from the most unexpected places. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering them for the first time, these stars from the heartland are sure to impress. Let’s dive in!
1. Andy Williams
Andy Williams remains one of the most cherished voices in American pop music history. Born in Wall Lake, Iowa, he rose to fame during the golden age of traditional pop, captivating audiences with his smooth, effortless baritone. Williams became a symbol of sophistication and class, best known for timeless hits like “Moon River,” “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” and “Happy Heart.” His music exuded warmth and elegance, and his interpretations of romantic ballads became the soundtrack to countless love stories. Beyond his recordings, The Andy Williams Show became a staple of 1960s television, offering variety, music, and a platform for emerging talent. His Christmas albums, in particular, became enduring holiday staples, with his voice echoing in homes every December. Williams’ ability to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving music landscape spoke to his universal appeal and unwavering consistency. Even after his passing in 2012, his songs continue to connect generations, a testament to the timeless quality of his work. Andy Williams wasn’t just a singer—he was a cultural icon who brought grace and emotion to everything he sang. From small-town Iowa to international acclaim, his legacy remains one of elegance, emotion, and extraordinary musical talent.
2. Slipknot (Corey Taylor)
From the unlikely heartland city of Des Moines, Iowa, Slipknot stormed onto the global metal scene in the late 1990s with unrelenting force. Fronted by the dynamic and deeply expressive Corey Taylor, the band became a phenomenon almost overnight, known for its aggressive sound, theatrical masks, and chaotic live performances. Taylor’s versatile vocals—ranging from guttural screams to melodic crooning—gave the band emotional depth amid the sonic onslaught. Albums like Iowa, Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses), and We Are Not Your Kind pushed metal’s boundaries, blending brutality with introspection. Slipknot’s impact wasn’t just musical; they created a subculture, a sense of identity for fans who felt like outsiders. Meanwhile, Taylor showcased his softer, more melodic side with Stone Sour, further proving his unmatched range as a vocalist and songwriter. His solo projects and books also reveal a thoughtful, articulate artist behind the mask. Corey Taylor is more than Slipknot’s frontman—he’s one of modern metal’s most vital voices. His work continues to elevate Iowa’s unexpected place in music history, showing that powerful, genre-defining artistry can emerge from anywhere. Whether screaming in a mask or singing with raw vulnerability, Taylor remains an unstoppable creative force.
3. Tracie Spencer
Tracie Spencer made music history as one of the youngest R&B artists to achieve national fame, breaking barriers before she was even a teenager. Hailing from Waterloo, Iowa, Spencer first captured attention when she won Star Search at just 11 years old. By 12, she had signed a major record deal and released her debut album, showcasing a vocal maturity and stage presence far beyond her years. Her early hits, like “This House” and the emotional ballad “Tender Kisses,” topped charts in the early ’90s and became staples of the era’s R&B sound. Spencer’s appeal lay not only in her undeniable talent but in her ability to connect deeply with listeners through her emotive delivery and relatable themes. As a young Black female artist, she stood out in an industry often dominated by older performers, proving that youth could bring authenticity and depth to R&B. Though she eventually stepped away from the limelight, her impact remains significant. Spencer helped pave the way for a new generation of young artists, showing that age is no barrier to excellence. Her legacy is one of talent, courage, and a voice that continues to inspire.
4. The Everly Brothers (Don Everly)
The Everly Brothers, led by Don and Phil Everly, transformed American music with their seamless harmonies and genre-blending style. Though originally from Kentucky, their musical roots grew strong in Shenandoah, Iowa, where they performed on their family’s radio show and honed their unmistakable sound. Don Everly, with his crystalline voice and rhythmic guitar work, was central to their blend of country, rockabilly, and pop—a sound that would inspire generations of musicians. Hits like “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” and “All I Have to Do Is Dream” not only dominated the charts but became cultural touchstones, still beloved today. The Everlys’ tight vocal harmonies influenced everyone from The Beatles to Simon & Garfunkel, setting a gold standard for duos. Though their relationship was famously turbulent at times, their musical chemistry was undeniable. They helped bridge country and rock at a time when those genres rarely overlapped, and their innovation laid the groundwork for modern pop-rock. Don Everly’s contributions to music continue to resonate, reminding listeners that great harmony is as much about emotional connection as musical technique. Their Iowa chapter marks the beginning of one of rock and roll’s most enduring legacies.
5. Josh Rand (Stone Sour)
Josh Rand might not be the most talked-about member of Stone Sour, but his guitar work is the heartbeat of the band’s sound. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Rand joined the group in the early 2000s and quickly established himself as a crucial creative force. While Corey Taylor’s vocals drew the spotlight, Rand’s textured riffs, melodic solos, and songwriting shaped the band’s identity. His playing on albums like Come What(ever) May, Audio Secrecy, and House of Gold & Bones helped elevate Stone Sour from a Slipknot side project into a full-fledged rock powerhouse. Rand’s style balances technical precision with emotional depth, blending heavy metal crunch with hard rock accessibility. Beyond performance, he’s been active behind the scenes as a producer and mentor, showing a passion for the craft that goes beyond the stage. Rand exemplifies the kind of steady, skilled musician who may not always seek fame but whose fingerprints are all over a band’s success. In Iowa’s thriving and unexpected rock scene, Josh Rand stands as a quiet but formidable figure—always evolving, always contributing, and always pushing the boundaries of what rock music can be.
6. Greg Brown
Greg Brown stands as a true bard of the American heartland, his songs weaving the wide-open landscapes of Iowa into vivid musical tapestries. Born in Fairfield and steeped in the storytelling traditions of rural life, Brown’s gravelly, sonorous voice feels as though it has grown directly from the soil he sings about. Across a career spanning more than four decades, he has remained unapologetically authentic, pouring raw emotion and wry humor into every lyric. Tracks like “Spring Wind” drift through fields of memory, while “Laughing River” carries the warm current of shared experience. Brown’s music doesn’t just recount stories—it invites listeners to smell the earth after rain, to remember first loves beneath fading sun, and to confront life’s hardships with gentle compassion. Beyond his solo work, he has nurtured fellow songwriters, most notably his wife, singer-songwriter Iris DeMent, helping plant seeds for a new generation of folk voices. Whether performing in an intimate coffeehouse or on a festival stage, Brown’s presence is both commanding and quietly humble—an artist wholly at peace with his roots. In a world hungry for sincerity, Greg Brown’s songs remain a reminder that the prairie still speaks, and its voice is rich, wise, and impossibly human.
7. Charlie Haden
Charlie Haden transformed the double bass from a purely rhythmic anchor into a profoundly melodic voice in modern jazz. Born in 1937 in Shenandoah, Iowa, Haden first performed on his family’s country radio show, but it was the improvisational freedom of jazz that called to him most deeply. Partnering with avant-garde pioneer Ornette Coleman in the late 1950s, Haden shattered expectations of what the bass could do. His playing on The Shape of Jazz to Come introduced a warm, lyrical sound that floated above the rhythm section, while later projects, such as his Liberation Music Orchestra, married political fervor with musical daring. Haden’s tone was at once earthy and spiritual, capable of tender intimacy or fiery protest. He drew on the quiet strength of his Midwestern upbringing—rooted, steadfast, and honest—to ground even his most adventurous work. Over a career spanning five decades, he collaborated with giants like Keith Jarrett and Pat Metheny, always leaving an indelible mark on every session. In jazz education and performance today, Haden’s influence endures, reminding bassists and listeners alike that the lowest notes can carry the highest purpose.
8. Peggy Gilbert
Decades before women led big bands, Peggy Gilbert was shattering conventions with her saxophone and indomitable spirit. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1905, she refused to accept the backstage roles typically assigned to female musicians. By the 1920s, Gilbert had formed all-female jazz and dance bands that toured the country, performing swing-era hits in ballrooms usually reserved for male ensembles. Her groups delivered crisp arrangements and tight grooves, proving that talent transcends gender. Yet Gilbert’s legacy extends far beyond performance. In later years, she became a tireless advocate for women in music, lobbying for equal pay, professional opportunities, and recognition at a time when female instrumentalists were often marginalized. She taught young musicians, wrote articles on bandleading, and remained active on stage well into her nineties. Through grit, musicianship, and unwavering determination, Peggy Gilbert opened doors for countless women, reshaping the jazz world’s expectations. Today, her story inspires musicians who continue to break barriers, reminding us that progress often begins with a single woman daring to lead her own band.
9. William Elliott Whitmore
William Elliott Whitmore channels the raw spirit of rural America, his music steeped in the sweat and soil of his Iowa upbringing. Raised on a Lee County farm, Whitmore learned early that hard work, heartbreak, and community are woven together like the threads of a well-worn quilt. Armed with a banjo slung over his shoulder and a voice rich as weathered oak, he crafts songs that feel lived-in and deeply personal. Albums such as Animals in the Dark and Ashes to Dust pulse with the grit of manual labor and the solace of simple pleasures—sunset skies, shared laughter, and the ache of loss. His minimal arrangements leave space for every lyric to land like a footstep in fresh mud, every chord to echo across an empty barn. Though he’s never chased mainstream fame, Whitmore’s reputation has grown steadily through word-of-mouth and passionate live shows, drawing fans from both folk and punk scenes who crave authenticity. In a music industry often glossed by gloss and glossed again, his songs stand unvarnished—a testament to the power of storytelling rooted in genuine experience.
10. Maddie Poppe
When Maddie Poppe stepped onto the American Idol stage in 2018, her unassuming charm and crystalline voice quickly won hearts nationwide. Growing up in Clarksville, Iowa, she learned the value of earnest storytelling from folk traditions, blending it seamlessly with contemporary pop sensibilities. Her audition—simple, heartfelt, and beautifully sung—reminded viewers that authenticity still resonates. Winning the competition launched her debut album, Whirlwind, where Poppe’s songwriting shone: intimate reflections on love, identity, and resilience wrapped in melody. Tracks like “Circles” and “Made You Miss” highlight her knack for crafting hooks that linger, while revealing glimpses of her Midwestern sincerity. On stage, she eschews spectacle in favor of genuine connection, inviting audiences into her world one story at a time. As social media buzzed with viral moments, Poppe remained grounded, using her platform to advocate for mental health, women’s empowerment, and independent artistry. In an era of fleeting fame and polished production, she stands out as a reminder that warmth, honesty, and a good song can still carry you far—and that sometimes the softest voice leaves the most lasting impression.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
