From George Clinton to James Taylor, North Carolina has no shortage of musical talent. Each year, the Kannapolis-based NC Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to a select number of legendary musicians with Cackalacky ties.
Currently, the Asheville area boasts more than ten NC Hall of Fame musicians who run the gamut from folk and electronic to soul and bluegrass. Keep on reading to see who’s made the cut.
Luke Combs | 1990-now
Before the country superstar became a household name, he was singing in the choir and playing football at A.C. Reynolds High School. More recently, he collaborated with Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor to headline “Concert for Carolina,” raising more than $24 million for Helene recovery efforts. Combs was announced in the newest cohort of musicians to be inducted into the NC Music Hall of Fame this fall.
Jermaine Dupri | 1972-now
While he now lives in Atlanta and works with superstars like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, and Janet Jackson, this legendary hip-hop producer + rapper was born in Asheville.
Roberta Flack | 1937-2025
Known for chart-topping singles “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Where Is the Love,” this soulful singer-songwriter was the first artist to win a Grammy for Record of the Year twice in a row.
Fred Foster | 1931-2019
Foster, a Rutherford County native, founded Monument Records, which was the first label to sign Dolly Parton and produced “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy.”
George Beverly Shea | 1909-2013
A gospel star, this singer and hymn composer is best known for his role as a “musical mainstay” in the Billy Graham Crusades. Often referred to as “America’s Beloved Gospel Singer,” Shea received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2011 and a Grammy Award for Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording in 1966.
Warren Haynes | 1960-now
This longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and founding member of the jam band Gov’t Mule is a legend amongst locals for producing Asheville’s annual Christmas Jam festival.
David Holt | 1946-now
Holt, a four-time Grammy winner and revered folk artist, founded the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College in 1975.
Clyde Moody | 1915-1989
Born in Cherokee, Moody — aka the “Hillbilly Waltz King” — helped pave the way for American bluegrass.
Robert Moog | 1934-2005
Moog is known as the pioneer of electronic music and is credited with inventing the first commercial synthesizer. Learn more by touring Asheville’s Moogseum and Moog Factory.
Steep Canyon Rangers | 2000-present
This Grammy-winning Asheville-based bluegrass band regularly tours with actor and banjoist Steve Martin.
Nina Simone | 1933-2003
The ‘High Priestess of Soul,’ whose music spanned from classical to blues to gospel + beyond, was born in Tryon. Take a visit to her childhood home.
Billy Edd Wheeler | 1932-now
A longtime resident of Swannanoa, the songwriter and musician is best known for his song “Ode to the Little Brown Shack Out Back,” which was a top 5 country hit in 1964 and reached the top 50 on the pop chart.
Want to learn more about these musical legends? You’ll need to take a short road trip to Mooresville. Get a ticket for the 2025 NC Music Hall of Fame inductions on Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center.
