No, that isn't the problem.
Those are not artists, those are songs by one artist, Michael McDonald. Yet all of "his" songs are listed like that, yet none of my other artist's songs are listed that way. There is no gray bar at all between the other artist's song, just his. That is what is driving me crazy.
I'm very anal about certain stuff.
edit......I just now read the final paragraph of your reply. That is what the Apple store recommended, restoring the phone, but I think I've already tried it. I might try it again to make sure.