In 1957, RCA opened Studio B in Nashville. Soon after, Don Gibson came in and during an afternoon session recorded “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Oh, Lonesome Me.”

Shirley Caesar heard the calling of the Lord when she was taking a typing test in college. By the time she heard that voice, she had already established a strong following as a gospel songstress.

William Oliver Swofford was born February 22, 1945 in North Wilkesboro. He was an honor student at Wilkes Central High School where his athletic ability was equaled only by the quality of his singing voice.

Maurice Williams was born April 26, 1938, in Lancaster, SC. By the time he was six, Williams was performing regularly church. During his high school years, he formed the group ‘The Royal Charms’.

Then in the winter of 1956, while still in school, they traveled to Nashville to cut a record for the Excello label. But, company founder Ernie Young, said at least two other groups were using the name and convinced them to rename the group [...]

Les Brown began playing sax at an early age and made his professional debut in a band at age nine. At age 14 he formed his own orchestra.

George Hamilton IV was born in Winston-Salem July 19, 1937. He began playing guitar at age 12.

Born Yvonne Vaughan in Mount Airy, North Carolina on November 10, 1945, Donna attended High Point College then graduated from the University of Southern California.

Don Schlitz was born in Durham, North Carolina. Don Schlitz has written 24 number one songs, including four for North Carolina Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis—“Forever and Ever, Amen”, “Heroes and Friends”, “On the Other Hand”, and “Deeper than the Holler”.

Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was born on March 3, 1923 in Deep Gap. An eye infection caused Watson to lose his vision before his first birthday. As result, his parents taught him to work hard and care for himself. He attended the Governor Morehead school for the visually impaired in Raleigh.

The roots of bluegrass grow deep into North Carolina; the sound of the Earl Scruggs-style of picking the banjo and the “chop” made popular with mandolin players made popular by Curly Seckler, both go back to musicians born and raised in North Carolina.