The great Arkansas performer of the twentieth century, in my opinion. Even managed some street cred by doing some time in an Arkansas prison. Still, the state's favorite son.

William Warfield (Porgy in this famous revival) was one of the great lieder singers of his generation, sang "Old Man River" in the MGM fifties remake of SHOWBOAT, and was, of course, from Arkansas.

The diminutive John died in prison, but in his brief career debuted the killer song "Fever," later rerecorded by a host of performers. His, however, is still the best.

Barbara Hendricks, appearing as Pamina in this disc, is one of the most renowned sopranos of her generation, and an Arkansas native. And you thought Arkansas was just about Hillbilly music.

Living in Bryant, Arkansas (where SLING BLADE was filmmed) until he hit it big with "Behind Closed Doors" and the tax code forced him to move to friendlier-to-entertainers Tennessee.

No, of course they aren't from Arkansas, but their longtime manager was, and on his advice Keith Richards drove through the state and got himself arrested for carrying a huge knife.

Lucinda Williams has very strong Arkansas connections, having been partially raised there, and her father being poet Miller Williams, writer in residence at the University of Arkansas,

Arkansas rocker who was not only good in his own right, but formed a killer back up band in Canada.. They became first The Hawks and then The Band.

A great rocker who wrote the classic, "Suzy Q," which has been covered by a host of musicians, including Creedance.

Excellent songwriter and Ouachita Baptist University grad Danny Tate is one of those great performers who hasn't received the due he deserves.

Like moi, Little Rock performer relocated in the 1980s to Chicago, dying at a tragically young age, but only after recording some great jazz.

A truly great jazz figure famous both in his own right and for his association with John Coltrane in the latter part of his career.