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Flag of Omaha, Nebraska. Photo by Vectorization: Auguel –

Top 10 Iconic Singers from Omaha, Nebraska

This list of the most famous Nebraska musical artists covers bands and singers from all over the state. From Fremont to Omaha, you will find all of the most popular acts covered here. Vote for the artists you get excited about most.

1. Buddy Miles 

Buddy Miles, Musikhalle Hamburg, 1972. Photo by Heinrich Klaffs –

Buddy Miles is a musician who sings rock music, rhythm blues, and funk. George Allen “Buddy” Miles Jr., was an American rock drummer, vocalist, composer, and producer between September 5, 1947, and February 26, 2008).

He was a founding member of the Electric Flag in 1967, a member of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys (1969–1970), and founder and leader of the Buddy Miles Express and later, the Buddy Miles Band. Miles also played and recorded with Carlos Santana and others.

Additionally, he sang lead vocals on the critically and commercially acclaimed “California Raisins” claymation TV commercials and recorded two California Raisins R&B albums. 

2. Ann Ronell 

Ann Ronell at tape recording machine listening to a song she wrote called “Just a Girl” / World Telegram & Sun photo by Walter Albertin. Photo by New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: Albertin, Walter, photographer –

Ann Rosenblatt, known as Ann Ronell was an American composer and lyricist between December 25, 1905, and December 25, 1993. She was best known for the standards “Willow Weep for Me” in 1932 and “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” (1933).

3. Boxcar Willie 

playing some original country music with Tim Ryalls. Photo by Ans22503 –

Boxcar Willie was a gospel and country music singer. Lecil Travis Martin was born on September 1, 1931. His stage name was Boxcar Willie.

He was an American country music singer-songwriter and Air Force personnel sergeant, who sang in the “old-time hobo” music style, complete with a dirty face, overalls, and a floppy hat. “Boxcar Willie” was originally a character in a ballad he wrote, but he later adopted it as his stage name. Boxcar died on 12^th April 1999.

4. Shaun Murphy 

Shaun Murphy. Photo by DerHexer –

Blue-eyed soul, Rock music, Gospel music. One of her albums is Livin’ the Blues. Shaun Murphy was born on 6^th May 1948.

He is an American blues and R&B singer-songwriter, best known for her powerhouse singing style. Her recording career started in 1971 with Motown Records.

5. Haywood-Wakefield Band 

A band in action. Photo by Rahul Kukreja on

Haywood-Wakefield Band is one of the longest-running and most popular rock and roll bands from Nebraska. Considered by many to be one of the most influential bands of the state, Haywood-Wakefield Band was created in 1978 in the city of Fremont by lead guitarist & vocalist Ken McMahon.

 The band name came from McMahon looking under his dining room table and saw the manufacturer’s stamp “Heywood Wakefield” furniture company. It looked like a good name for a band so it stuck. McMahon remained with the band for thirteen years and left in 1991.

Original Members of the Haywood Wakefield Band were Ken McMahon, Kirk Lundstrom, Gene Dauel, and Jim Campbell Other members included Dave Halverson, Mike “Pinky” Semrad, Sue Murray, Greg “Jeep” Bloom, Nora “Porter” Pope, Eric Tippery, Doug Tippery Bill Costello Jerry Layman Bob Porter Doug Sorenson Originally a rock band, Haywood-Wakefield started performing regularly at the “Nothin’ But Country”, which despite its name was mostly a rock bar.

Very soon, the band started garnering interviews such as on the Real People television program where they also performed.

6. Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal band

Josh Hoyer. Photo by NathanCyberg –

Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal is a five-piece American Soul/Funk/R&B band based out of Lincoln, Nebraska. The band is led by Josh Hoyer on keyboards/vocals, with Benjamin Kushner on guitar, Blake DeForest on Trumpet, Larell Ware on drums, and Mike Keeling on bass.

The band has played 150+ shows a year in the United States from 2015-2018, along with two headlining European tours in 2017 and 2018.

7. Preston Love 

A saxophonist. Photo by David Schultz on

Preston Haines Love was born on 26th April 1921, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a renowned alto saxophonist, bandleader, and songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska.

His albums include Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Live, Christmas, Christmas Celebration, Halloween 2: Creatures Collection, and Halloween.

Mannheim Steamroller is an American music group, founded by Chip Davis, that is known primarily for its series of Fresh Aire albums, which blend classical music and rock, and for its modern recordings of Christmas music.

The group has sold 28 million albums in the U.S. alone. He died on 12^th  February 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska.

8. Sparkle Moore 

Female vocalist waving. Photo by zachrie friesen on

Sparkle Moore was born Barbara Morgan on November 6, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. He is an American rockabilly singer who was influential as a pioneer of female rockabilly.

Her name arose because of her similarity to Sparkle Plenty, a supporting character in the Dick Tracy comic strip. Sparkle dressed in men’s clothing, often including leather and sported an Elvis-influenced pompadour.

In 1956, she toured with Gene Vincent and was scheduled to perform on the Grand Ole Opry, which was subsequently canceled due to illness.

 In 1957, Sparkle retired from music to concentrate on raising a family. In 2010, she released a 22-track CD of home recordings Spark-A-Billy.

9. James Valentine 

James Valentine in concert. Photo by Alexa rose –

James is a musician who sings pop music, rock music, and pop rock. James Burgon Valentine was born on October 5, 1978.

He is an American musician and songwriter. He is the lead guitarist for the pop rock band Maroon 5.

10. Matty Lewis 

Matty Lewis.  Photo by Stefan Brending –

Matty Lewis sings songs of pop punk and punk rock genres. Matty Lewis is the rhythm guitarist and co-lead singer of Zebrahead and is a native of Papillion, Nebraska. Lewis took up playing the guitar and writing songs at age 12.