When you think of musical powerhouses, sprawling states like California or New York might come to mind first—but don’t overlook the Green Mountain State. Vermont, with its rolling hills, maple forests, and fiercely independent spirit, has quietly nurtured some of the most compelling voices in modern music. From folk storytellers and rock rebels to indie phenoms and genre-defying legends, Vermont has proven it punches well above its weight class when it comes to producing musical talent.
This list dives into the Top 10 Most Popular Famous Singers from Vermont, celebrating artists who’ve not only made waves nationally and globally, but who also carry the essence of Vermont in every note they sing. Whether born and raised in the state or drawn to its natural beauty and creative solitude, these musicians reflect the diverse and soulful soundscape of Vermont itself.
Prepare to meet powerhouse vocalists, Grammy winners, Broadway trailblazers, and indie icons—all with roots in this small but mighty state. Whether you’re a lifelong Vermonter or just discovering the music scene here, this list will leave you inspired, surprised, and maybe even adding a few new names to your playlist. Let’s turn up the volume and explore the voices of Vermont! 🎶
1. Grace Potter
Grace Potter is a rock-and-roll force of nature whose voice could shake the rafters of any venue and still find a way to reach your soul. Born in Waitsfield, Vermont, Potter first captured national attention as the charismatic frontwoman of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a band that lit up stages with raw energy, thunderous guitars, and a vintage blues-rock sound. But it’s not just the power of her voice—it’s the fire in her presence, equal parts fierce and vulnerable, that leaves audiences spellbound. With a stage style reminiscent of Janis Joplin’s wild spirit and Stevie Nicks’ mysticism, Potter brings old-school rock star bravado into the modern era. Her solo work—spanning albums like Midnight and Daylight—marks a bold evolution, blending pop, soul, and Americana with deeply personal songwriting. Offstage, her Vermont roots remain vital, grounding her in authenticity and a love of homegrown artistry. Whether she’s belting out a rock anthem or delivering a soul-baring ballad, Potter’s music pulses with passion and grit. She’s more than a singer—she’s a living, breathing spark of rock and soul who proves that even the quietest corners of New England can produce stars with stadium-sized fire in their veins.
2. Noah Kahan
Noah Kahan has become the voice of a generation that finds both comfort and conflict in quiet places. Raised in the small town of Strafford, Vermont, Kahan’s music captures the emotional terrain of rural life with striking vulnerability and poetic depth. His breakout single “Hurt Somebody” put him on the map, but it was Stick Season that truly resonated, offering an unflinching look at mental health, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Blending folk roots with modern indie production, his sound is raw yet accessible, intimate yet anthemic. Kahan’s lyrics feel like late-night journal entries—unfiltered, emotional, and achingly human. His storytelling is rooted in personal experience but echoes universal feelings of loneliness, longing, and the search for meaning. With each song, he gives a voice to the quiet struggles many keep hidden. Vermont’s stark winters and pastoral calm run through every track, acting as both setting and metaphor. Kahan doesn’t just sing about where he’s from—he brings it to life, capturing its spirit with every note. In doing so, he’s become a reluctant but powerful ambassador for small-town soul, showing that big emotions often grow in the most overlooked places.
3. Phish (Trey Anastasio)
Phish isn’t just a band—it’s a musical universe built on spontaneity, exploration, and pure joy. Founded in the early 1980s by students at the University of Vermont, the group—led by guitarist and vocalist Trey Anastasio—carved out a niche unlike any other. Blending rock, jazz, funk, and psychedelia, Phish became synonymous with epic live performances, where no two concerts are ever alike. Trey is the heart of that improvisational spirit, known for his dazzling solos, whimsical lyrics, and boundless creativity. Under his direction, Phish evolved from local college gigs in Burlington to sold-out arenas and multi-night festival residencies. For fans, a Phish show is more than music—it’s a communal pilgrimage, a jam-fueled adventure where songs can stretch into hour-long explorations. Trey’s solo career adds another dimension, showcasing his orchestral ambitions and introspective songwriting. Through it all, Vermont’s quirky, free-spirited energy flows through the band’s DNA. More than just local legends, Phish represents the soul of creative independence and musical possibility, proving that sometimes, the weirdest paths lead to the most enduring legacies.
4. Anaïs Mitchell
Anaïs Mitchell is one of the most imaginative and evocative storytellers in contemporary folk music. Raised in the rural landscapes of Addison County, Vermont, Mitchell’s songwriting blends poetic detail with mythic themes, creating work that feels both ancient and immediate. Her defining achievement, Hadestown—a folk opera reimagining the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice—started as a grassroots project and grew into a Tony-winning Broadway phenomenon. But Mitchell’s genius doesn’t stop at the stage. Her solo albums, including Young Man in America, are haunting explorations of identity, family, and longing, filled with lyrical richness and emotional nuance. Her voice, understated yet magnetic, draws listeners into intimate worlds where the lines between personal and archetypal blur. She’s also a founding member of the critically acclaimed folk supergroup Bonny Light Horseman, further showcasing her versatility and collaborative spirit. Mitchell’s connection to Vermont is more than geographical—it’s spiritual. The state’s quiet beauty and storytelling traditions infuse her work, grounding her global acclaim in local authenticity. With each project, Anaïs Mitchell proves that timeless art can emerge from even the most unassuming roots.
5. Joan Osborne
Joan Osborne may have made her name with the unforgettable 1995 hit “One of Us,” but her artistry runs far deeper than one song. Though born in Kentucky, Osborne has spent significant time in Vermont, where the state’s serene landscape provides her with creative retreat and inspiration. Her music spans rock, soul, gospel, and blues, unified by her deeply expressive voice—a husky, smoldering instrument capable of both power and grace. From her work with The Funk Brothers to her renditions of Bob Dylan and Motown classics, Osborne has built a career defined by depth and authenticity. Her ties to Vermont have shaped her later work, giving her music a reflective, grounded quality that contrasts with the hectic demands of life on the road. Recent albums reveal a more contemplative artist, unafraid to explore vulnerability and nuance. Whether reinterpreting legendary songs or crafting originals, Osborne brings sincerity and soul to every performance. Her time in Vermont underscores her status not just as a genre-defying vocalist, but as a thoughtful, enduring voice in American music—one who continues to evolve while staying true to herself.
6. Peter Wolf
Peter Wolf is a rock legend who has managed to evolve without losing the gritty charm that made him famous. As the magnetic frontman of The J. Geils Band, Wolf defined a generation of radio-friendly rock with hits like “Love Stinks” and “Centerfold.” His raspy vocals and stage swagger made him a staple of ’70s and ’80s rock, blending garage-band attitude with soul-infused showmanship. But Wolf’s story didn’t end when the spotlight dimmed—he found creative refuge in Vermont, trading neon stages for the peaceful introspection of the Green Mountains. There, he dove into a solo career marked by raw honesty and Americana flair. Albums like Sleepless and A Cure for Loneliness showcase his deep love for roots music—blues, country, folk—all threaded together with his signature storytelling. In Vermont, Wolf discovered space to reflect and refine his sound, crafting music that’s mature, nuanced, and emotionally resonant. He’s not just resting on past glory—he’s still searching, still creating, still hungry. Peter Wolf proves that rock stars don’t fade—they adapt, finding new life and deeper truth in the quiet places that fuel the soul.
7. Neko Case
Neko Case is a singular presence in the world of indie and alternative music—a voice as wild and uncontainable as the landscapes she often sings about. Though widely known for her work with The New Pornographers and her critically acclaimed solo career, Case’s deep connection to Vermont has provided a grounding counterpoint to her whirlwind creative life. Living among the forests and quiet spaces of the state, she’s found sanctuary from the music industry’s chaos and freedom to pursue her artistic vision. Her solo albums—such as Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and Hell-On—combine Americana roots with lush, experimental textures, carried by her powerful, emotive vocals. Each song feels like a vivid short story, painted with sonic color and lyrical sharpness. Vermont’s natural solitude echoes in her music—untamed, mysterious, and fiercely personal. Case is not interested in trends or fame; she’s an artist of integrity, driven by curiosity and intuition. With her feral voice and poetic sensibilities, Neko Case isn’t just making music—she’s building a body of work that feels elemental, essential, and entirely her own.
8. Will Ackerman
Will Ackerman is a quiet revolutionary in the world of instrumental music. A native of Brattleboro, Vermont, Ackerman is best known as the founder of Windham Hill Records, the influential label that helped define the New Age genre in the 1980s. His gentle, acoustic guitar compositions are marked by space, melody, and emotional clarity—music that invites stillness and introspection. Ackerman’s recordings, many made in his custom-built studio nestled in the Vermont countryside, feel deeply rooted in the state’s natural rhythms. His 1976 debut In Search of the Turtle’s Navel set the tone for decades of contemplative, beautifully recorded acoustic music. Beyond his own works, Ackerman has been a nurturing force for other artists, helping launch the careers of legends like George Winston and Michael Hedges. While some critics have debated the “New Age” label, there’s no questioning the sincerity and serenity of Ackerman’s sound. His music is less about performance and more about presence—a soundtrack for reflection. In a fast-paced world, Ackerman offers a rare gift: the invitation to pause, breathe, and listen. He remains one of Vermont’s most quietly influential artistic voices.
9. Zach DuPont
Zach DuPont is a shining example of the intimate artistry that thrives in Vermont’s vibrant indie music scene. As one half of The DuPont Brothers and as a solo artist, Zach has built a career on thoughtful songwriting, nuanced guitar work, and emotionally resonant performances. Based in Burlington, his music draws comparisons to Iron & Wine, Nick Drake, and early Sufjan Stevens—artists who combine poetic vulnerability with melodic finesse. His songs often feel like personal confessions, exploring themes of love, grief, healing, and resilience. Whether on his own or alongside his brother Sam, Zach’s harmonies and storytelling have earned him a loyal following throughout New England and beyond. Vermont’s artist-friendly atmosphere and natural serenity have provided a creative wellspring for his work, allowing space for reflection and growth. DuPont is not chasing trends—he’s crafting songs that linger, rooted in lived experience and honest emotion. In every lyric and every chord, you can hear the quiet strength of the Green Mountain State, making him one of Vermont’s most compelling and authentic musical voices.
10. Francesca Blanchard
Francesca Blanchard is a bilingual singer-songwriter who brings global sophistication and heartfelt sincerity to Vermont’s indie music landscape. Raised in Charlotte, Vermont, and born in France, she effortlessly weaves French and English into her songs, creating a musical world that feels both intimate and borderless. Blanchard first gained attention with acoustic, folk-rooted ballads marked by poetic lyrics and delicate guitar work. But her sound has since evolved into more polished, genre-blurring territory, as heard on her vibrant indie-pop album Make It Better. Despite the sonic shift, her music remains grounded in emotional honesty and lyrical depth. Her voice—soft, expressive, and unmistakably sincere—carries a quiet power, drawing listeners into stories of identity, longing, and self-discovery. Blanchard’s multicultural upbringing infuses her work with a rare perspective, while Vermont’s stillness offers the perfect counterbalance to her worldly roots. She is a rising artist whose music feels refreshingly unforced—true to who she is, and resonant with listeners across continents. Francesca Blanchard doesn’t just represent a new generation of Vermont musicians; she represents a new kind of folk-pop storyteller—thoughtful, cross-cultural, and beautifully real.
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.
