MOORESVILLE — The stars were out last Thursday as the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame honored six new inductees to its distinguished list of more than 130 groundbreaking artists. To kick off the evening, industry heavyweights, former inductees, and the guests of honor gathered for a VIP-only red-carpet event at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center. A nearly packed auditorium then enjoyed a ceremony—filled with fanfare and live performances—that paid tribute to this year’s honorees while spotlighting their far-reaching influence on American music and media.
Dolph Ramseur, chairman of the organization, opened the celebration by saying, “North Carolina is one of the centers of the universe for music.” Considering the state’s roster of icons—Roberta Flack, John Coltrane, Charlie Daniels, Nina Simone, Ben Folds, George Clinton, and James Taylor—it’s hard to disagree.
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame began modestly in the 1990s in Thomasville, when a small group of music fans started collecting memorabilia to celebrate the state’s rich musical heritage. The effort gained new life in 2008 when music-industry veteran and philanthropist Mike Curb—also known for leading the hit-making Christian pop group the Mike Curb Congregation—became involved and relocated the Hall to Kannapolis, where he owned a NASCAR racing team. Under his guidance, the Hall evolved into a permanent showcase honoring the state’s musical legacy and the artists who’ve helped shape it.
Among this year’s honorees was Luke Combs of Huntersville, whose rise from local bar gigs to multi-platinum country superstardom has brought national recognition to North Carolina’s musical roots. Combs’ heartfelt storytelling and arena-filling sound have made him one of the Tar Heel State’s most visible ambassadors on the global stage. “This has been a whirlwind,” Combs told the North State Journal before being surrounded by local news cameras. “I grew up listening to Randy Travis and so many great artists from North Carolina,” he said. “It’s so exciting to be here tonight.”
Clyde Mattocks of Kinston, known to fans as “the Man of Steel,” was celebrated for his mastery of the pedal steel and Dobro guitar. Across seven decades, Mattocks has been a defining figure in the state’s bluegrass and country scene, performing with and mentoring countless musicians, including his Super Grit Cowboy Band, often called “the South’s hottest honky-tonkers.”
Singer-songwriter David Childers of Mount Holly was recognized for his unique blend of poetry, faith, and small-town Southern imagery. A longtime advocate for the state’s songwriting community, Childers has earned critical praise as one of North Carolina’s most authentic and literate storytellers.
Hattie “Chatty Hatty” Leeper of Charlotte, a pioneering Black female DJ, was honored for breaking barriers in radio during the 1950s and ’60s. Her groundbreaking work gave a voice to Black artists on the airwaves and paved the way for future generations in both broadcasting and music journalism.
Robert Deaton of Fayetteville, a veteran producer and director, was recognized for his decades of behind-the-scenes work in television and music production. Deaton’s leadership on major network specials and country music events has helped bridge the artistry of his home state with a global audience.
Finally, Dexter Romweber of Carrboro, who died in 2024 at age 57, was inducted posthumously. A cult icon of roots rock and rockabilly, Romweber’s work with the Flat Duo Jets and his solo career influenced generations of musicians—from The White Stripes to Cat Power—while keeping North Carolina’s raw creative spirit alive.
The night ended as it began — with music. The 2025 class joins a growing legacy that continues to define North Carolina’s place in American music history.
