Top ten American composers/songwriters


Foster
Sousa
Joplin
Gershwin 
Copland
Jimmie Rodgers
Ellington
Richard Rodgers
Dylan
Porter

I constantly revisit this topic listening and reading. Thoughts?

jpwarren58
Johnny Cash
Janice Joplin
Don Henley
Willie Nelson
Dollie Parton
Nat King Cole
Tom Petty
Roy Orbison
Carlos Santana
Yea for Zappa!   I'm also a big fan of John Hiatt's work.  Johnny Cash, for sure.  Though I don't listen to him much, Kris Kristoferson is widely respected. Love Nick Lowe, but he has not really stretched beyond his era of popularity. I just don't get Leonard Cohen.  Maybe the songs, but I can't listen to the guy.  And then the Lord decided we needed Miles Davis to compare all other jazz musicians to. And finally, let's not forget the incredible Willie Dixon and Big Bill Broonzy.  The number of tunes those two wrote that defined American music and are a foundation to everything out there today are unparalleled.  
@pgaulke60, Willie Dixon wasn't forgotten (see 04/04 at 5:50 AM), Good call on Big Bill Broonzy, and let's add Leadbelly and Mississippi John Hurt (a huge influence of Lucinda Williams and Peter Case).