North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Welcomes Luke Combs, “Chatty Hatty,” and Music Legends in 2025
The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 inductees, a diverse group of musical icons spanning country, rockabilly, R&B, and more. This year's class includes chart-topping country superstar Luke Combs, pioneering Black radio DJ Hattie "Chatty Hatty" Leeper, and a host of other influential artists and producers, solidifying North Carolina's rich musical heritage.
The induction ceremony, set for October 16, 2025, at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center, promises to be a celebration of these remarkable careers. Tickets are available for purchase, offering fans a chance to witness history in the making.
Luke Combs, a Huntersville native, leads the pack with his meteoric rise in the country music scene. An 11-time Country Music Association Award winner, four-time Academy of Country Music Award winner, and six-time Billboard Music Award winner, Combs has cemented his status as a modern-day icon. His recent induction into the Music City Walk of Fame and his groundbreaking achievement as the first country artist to have two songs reach one billion streams on Spotify highlight his immense popularity and impact. He also participated in the "Concert for Carolina," raising over $24.5 million for Hurricane Helene relief.
Hattie "Chatty Hatty" Leeper, hailing from Charlotte, breaks barriers as one of the first Black women to become a radio disc jockey in the southern United States. After gaining radio experience at just 14 years old, Leeper launched her own radio show at 17, later producing music and writing liner notes for legends like Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish her own record label, achieving #1 records on Cashbox and Billboard. Her contributions were recognized with an induction into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.
Clyde Mattocks, a Kinston native, is recognized for his mastery of string instruments and his role as a mentor to countless musicians. As the founder of the Super Grit Cowboy Band, Mattocks has shared the stage with notable names such as Johnny Paycheck, Mel Street, and Roy Drusky. "I've never considered quitting," Mattocks said. "Music is a challenge and a pleasure."
The 2025 class also includes:
- Robert Deaton, a Fayetteville native and two-time Emmy winner, known for his work as executive producer for major country music events like the CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas.
- David Childers, a singer-songwriter, poet, and painter from Mount Holly, blending folk, rockabilly, and country into his unique style.
- Dexter Romweber, a Chapel Hill musician and defining figure known for revival with his band Flat Duo Jets, influenced indie bands such as The White Stripes and The Black Keys.
With such a remarkable group of inductees, the 2025 North Carolina Music Hall of Fame ceremony promises to be an unforgettable event. It's a testament to the diverse talent and legacy of North Carolina's music scene.
What are your thoughts on this year’s inductees? Which North Carolina musicians do you think deserve recognition in the future? Share your opinions in the comments below!