By The People – Music From the Old North State

NC Humanities and the NC Music Hall of Fame are teaming up for a fun-filled, in-person event celebrating the rich rock history of North Carolina’s Piedmont! This FREE event features a panel discussion exploring the Piedmont’s influential rock scene. The conversation will be moderated by WSGE 91.7 FM on-air personality Ed Williams and will feature singer-songwriter Hope Nicholls and music writer and historian Daniel Coston. Live music demonstrations may be sprinkled in throughout the conversation, adding another layer to this unique experience. Admission is FREE, but registration is required. Seats are limited! Hope Nicholls, a 2023 NC Music Hall of Fame inductee as a member of the groundbreaking North Carolina band Fetchin Bones, has helped shape the state’s music landscape through decades of acclaimed performances and songwriting. Join us to hear her stories, learn more about her contributions to North Carolina’s rock scene, and celebrate the music that continues to inspire audiences today. How The Program Was Developed: “NC Humanities is excited to be a part of this national effort to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary through an exciting series of programs highlighting North Carolina’s traditions and heritage” says Sherry Paula Watkns, Executive Director of NC Humanities. Developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 initiative is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. “This partnership amplifies the voices from communities nationwide and the cultural practices that define them,” says Phoebe Stein, the Federation’s president. “It’s a celebration of the humanities as a living, breathing force in our country—one that has brought people together to listen, learn, and create since the nation’s earliest days.” “As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, By the People invites communities to celebrate their stories and imagine a shared future grounded in creativity and cultural understanding,” says Halle Butvin, director of special projects at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. “By the People” – Music from the Old North State is a series of events exploring NC’s music heritage. NC Humanities along with our partners; Arts of the Albemarle, the Earl Scruggs Center, and the NC Music Hall of Fame are hosting programs to foster dialogue and highlight NC’s music heritage and culture bearers. By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation’s cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. About North Carolina Humanities: Through grantmaking and public humanities programs, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The North Carolina Center for the Book, the state affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library Congress, is a program of North Carolina Humanities that promotes books, libraries, literacy, and reading around the state. To learn more visit www.nchumanities.org. About NC Music Hall of Fame: The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing, promoting, and preserving the state’s musical heritage. Founded in 1994, the Hall of Fame has inducted individuals and bands that representing a wide range of genres and musical professions. The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Museum, located in Kannapolis NC, features more than 65 exhibits showcasing memorabilia from those who have been inducted. The Hall’s 143 inductees include some of North Carolina’s most celebrated musical artists, such as Charlie Daniels, James Taylor, Nina Simone, Jermaine Dupri, Luke Combs, Tori Amos, Roberta Flack, Randy Travis, and The Avett Brothers. Press Contact: nch@nchumanities.org