Talented Tar Heels: Famous Musicians from North Carolina

This weekend, the music industry will descend upon the Triangle for Dreamville, a nationally renowned music festival put on by North Carolina’s own J. Cole. As music lovers ourselves, this got us thinking about all the great artists from around here. So “Raise Up,” North Carolina, let’s pay respect to the nation’s top musicians that the Old North State produced.

James Taylor

His days of hit-making may be in the past, but Chapel Hill native, James Taylor, has left an indelible legacy on music. His family moved here into a house they built by Morgan Creek when Taylor was 3 years old. Taylor attended Chapel Hill High School while his father served as dean of the UNC School of Medicine. He eventually became the first American artist that The Beatles signed to their label Apple Records. Under Apple, Taylor released several popular songs like “Fire and Rain,” “How Sweet It Is” and “Carolina In My Mind.” Next time you’re driving down 15-501 and cross the James Taylor Bridge, give it up for one of the biggest stars from “Our Town.”

Avett Brothers

This folk rock band has won AMA’s, been nominated for Grammy’s, shared the stage with Bob Dylan and is credited with helping bring the bluegrass sound back to the mainstream. But before all that, The Avett Brothers were two kids in Concord, NC. The sons of guitarist Jim Avett, who is famous in his own right, Scott and Seth Avett grew up playing music and recorded albums together in Charlotte and Raleigh. They rose in fame throughout the 2000s and 2010s, riding the buzz of songs like “November Blue,” “Ain’t No Man” and “Live and Die.” They’ve appeared on national talk shows and climbed the Billboard charts, but no matter how much “High Steppin’” they do, the Avett Brothers still return to their roots and play in North Carolina several times a year.

Eric Church

A Granite Falls native, an Appalachian State alumnus and a HUGE UNC Tar Heels fan, Eric Church is as decorated a contemporary country star you’ll find. Church learned to write music when he was 13, and over time developed the style-fusion of Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks that made him famous. After college, Church wrote songs for other country musicians until he got the opportunity to perform himself. A discography including “Creepin’,” “Drink in My Hand” and “The Outsiders” has propelled this “Bad Mother Trucker” from NC to be one of the most famous country musicians today.

Rhiannon Giddens

Truly “there is no Other” like Rhiannon Giddens, the gifted banjo player and singer/songwriter out of Greensboro. Giddens grew up with an attraction to bluegrass, Scottish and Gaelic music, which led her to the “Black Banjo Then and Now Gathering” in 2005. It was there she met the other two that would form her Grammy-winning band: The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Giddens is one of the most knowledgeable musicians around. Her clever blend of country, bluegrass, jazz, R&B, Celtic and gospel music has led to critically acclaimed works like “Avalon,” “Calling me Home,” “Waterboy” and “Mountain Hymn.” Rhiannon Giddens has traveled the world many times over to perform, but remains connected to her roots, engaged as an activist for social justice in North Carolina.

Luke Combs

Born in Charlotte and raised in Asheville, Luke Combs was the hottest prospect in country music when he broke through and dominated the genre like a “Hurricane.” Combs began singing and songwriting at age 8, and his talent was apparent to everyone around him. He even gave a solo performance at Carnegie Hall during his youth. Combs attended Appalachian State where he worked as a bouncer at a Boone bar in exchange for being able to perform. After college, he left for Nashville and recorded popular songs like “When It Rains It Pours,” “She Got the Best of Me” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.”

J. Cole

The man responsible for the music world coming here this weekend, Jermaine Cole, a.k.a. J. Cole, is a hip hop artist from Fayetteville who is regarded as one of the most influential rappers of this generation. J. Cole used music to cope with a turbulent childhood, idolizing the rappers of his youth while playing violin at Terry Sanford High School. His love for all music sharpened his abilities as a rapper. Eventually, he was signed to a record deal by one of his idols, Jay-Z. Under that deal he put out the albums “2014 Forest Hills Drive” and “4 Your Eyez Only,” the first two consecutive rap records that went platinum with no featured artists. Cole has almost too many hits too name, including “No Role Modelz,” “She Knows,” “Neighbors” and “Love Yourz.” If you want to listen to a local artist while you “Work Out,” you can’t go wrong with J. Cole.

Whether you’re going to Dreamville or simply rocking your headphones from home, turn up the volume and have a magical, musical weekend!