how are country and gospel from Massachusetts?
The same way Blue Laws are, I suppose. Of course, gospel music's inception is usually accredited to a native Pennsylvanian, Philip Bliss, but his father, who also loved music and Methodism, was from Springfield, Massachusetts. And folks have been hootin' and hollerin' about separatism from The Church of England since before even Jamestowne, Virginia was established, but they first showed up in the Americas in Plymouth in 1620. Drinking homemade beer, eating red corn, and squatting on Squato's land, they sang their praises to the Good Lord Jesus early on. Colonial music historian David Hildebrand writes quite a bit about this, but for a more contemporary account look up the history of the church hymns of Massachusetts native Dwight Moody.
Country is more obviously from Massachusetts. Its origin is usually accredited to the Scot-Irish population of the Appalachians, from PA through WV, VA, and TN, and many folks claim Briston, VA as its "birthplace" but they don't look far enough back. Old time music goes back to the rural areas of New England beginning in the 17th century.
Of course, those two styles, Gospel and Country, may have originated in New England, but most of the other original American forms started in the Deep South. Rock'n'Roll, Jazz, and Blues all were born in the lower Mississippi River Valley, with a blending of early 20th-century negro styles and the gospel and country of southerners, so I'd have to agree on some level with Harry. The Hospitality State deserves a higher ranking than 16. I'm not sure I'd go with #1, since Louisiana spawned Jazz, and Elvis, though born in Mississippi, really got his big break in Memphis, Tennessee, but Mississippi should certainly be in the top ten, in my humble opinion.
