Tennessee

He collaborated with Buddy Holly and took over as lead singer for the Crickets after his death.

His years at Mississippi State earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

He helped drive 1960s hits like “Happy Together” and “Elenore.”

She was the first woman ever to host a segment on the Grand Ole Opry.

Smith made FedEx the world’s largest shipping company and a global giant.

Rodriguez had six No. 1 country hits, including “You’ll Always Come Back to Hurting Me.”

Briggs’ work on keyboards helped define the crisp, clean sound of Nashville country.

Barnett won two championships with the New York Knicks in the 1970s.

Byrge worked on the “Ernest” comedy films while also working at a Nashville library.

He was a child star of the 1940s and ‘50s.