They're our 10 to Watch for 2010.
Carolina Chocolate Drops: New album, old sound
Carolina Chocolate Drops have already gone about as far as you could reasonably expect for a band that plays old-time string-band music. The Triangle-based trio has appeared in a major motion picture (2007's "The Great Debaters") and on some of the most prominent stages in the radio industry, from the Grand Ole Opry to Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion."
But they're looking to go even further with their major-label debut album, the provocatively titled "Genuine Negro Jig," due out Feb. 23 on Nonesuch. In addition to a pair of original songs, the album features a half-dozen traditional numbers and covers by Tom Waits and Piedmont blues legend Etta Baker.
The album's hole card is its producer, Joe Henry, one of the most renowned roots-oriented producers in the music business. His credits include Allen Toussaint, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette and Irma Thomas.
"The record company suggested he'd be a good fit, and he was," Chocolate Drops fiddler Justin Robinson says of Henry. "It was interesting. We'd never worked with a producer in that way before, so there was a learning curve for everybody. But ultimately, it turned out to be very good."
Melissa Essary: Getting Campbell law school settled
In April, Campbell University's law school will formally dedicate its new Hillsborough Street building in downtown Raleigh. Melissa Essary is the dynamo who really made it happen.
As dean of the school, Essary was behind its successful move from Campbell's main campus in Buies Creek to Raleigh. The relocation was accomplished in less than two years, and the school experienced a 25 percent jump in applications.
This year, with the move complete, Essary will concentrate on new connections and relationships in the Capital City. In the spring, the school will kick off a law clinic in which students will help serve the legal needs of low-income senior citizens in Raleigh. The program is a partnership of Campbell and Progress Energy, in collaboration with Legal Aid of North Carolina.
The school also plans a deeper emphasis on patent law to take advantage of its location in the Triangle's hotbed of technology and drug development. Campbell is expected to form collaborations and draw adjunct faculty from an array of law firms within a five-block radius.
"It is the legal heartbeat of the state," Essary says of downtown Raleigh.
Staff writer Jane Stancill
Donald Hughes: Political prodigy is charting his own path
At the beginning of last year, Donald A. Hughes of Durham was a 21-year-old college senior.
As this year starts, he is a 22-year-old rising star in his hometown's politics. Although his debut campaign, for a City Council seat, was unsuccessful last fall, more than a few political observers expect him to be a candidate in this year's election for the Durham Public Schools Board.
In a way, Hughes' career path traces that of his mother: former council and School Board member Jackie Wagstaff. Hughes first came to public attention as a teenager, when he was involved in demonstrative protests at School Board meetings during his mother's term. Wagstaff was known for public clashes with other board members and then-school Superintendent Ann Denlinger.
But the Hughes of 2010 has forged a political identity of his own. His résumé includes a degree in economics from UNCG, an internship on Capitol Hill and frontline labors for the Obama campaign, Durham County Democratic Party and Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.
Last year, Hughes was a familiar figure at council and county commissioner meetings, impressing his political elders of various persuasions as a poised and confident young man to watch.
Staff writer Jim Wise
Kellie Harper: The new leader of the Pack women
Kellie Harper stepped into a delicate situation when she took over as N.C. State University's women's basketball coach in the spring.
Kay Yow, the legendary coach who fought a heroic and public battle with cancer, died Jan. 24. It was Yow's wish that her longtime assistant, Stephanie Glance, would take over the program after her death.
But the team had struggled in recent years, and NCSU State athletic director Lee Fowler decided to go in a different direction. He settled on Western Carolina University's Harper, who was the 2007 Southern Conference coach of the year.
Harper, 32, had an impressive background as a point guard on three NCAA championship teams at Tennessee. With Duke and North Carolina boasting powerhouse programs, Harper doesn't have an easy job. She will need both her youthful enthusiasm and her championship experience to help N.C. State climb back into contention with its rivals in the ACC.
Staff writer Ken Tysiac
Bonner Gaylord: Raleigh council's unaffiliated new face
The newest member of Raleigh's City Council has been on the job nearly a month, but where the politically unaffiliated Raleigh developer fits on the left-leaning council is still a mystery.
At 32, Gaylord is the youngest member and will represent the Northwest Raleigh district vacated by conservative Philip Isley for the next two years.
Five-term Democratic Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker saw his comfortable Democratic council majority eroded with the addition of Gaylord and returning council member and Republican businessman John Odom. This council is bound to be more moderate.
Gaylord, general manager of John Kane's still-expanding North Hills development, pledged in his campaign to encourage what he called responsible growth that looks at building the city up and not out. But with housing and building industries slowed to a crawl, those issues may take a backseat as the council grapples with how to pay for city services and whether or not to raise taxes.
Eyes will be on Gaylord, the political newcomer, to see how far he wades into the debates and where he seeks his alliances.
Staff writer Sarah Ovaska
George Holding: Staying until investigations are done
George Holding is working on borrowed time. The chief federal prosecutor in Raleigh is tackling corruption investigations into two of the state's most noted public officials: former Gov. Mike Easley and former U.S. Sen. John Edwards.
Holding, a Republican, knew his days were numbered when the nation elected President Barack Obama last fall. Last month, Obama nominated Holding's successor, Thomas Walker, a private lawyer from Charlotte and a lifelong Democrat.
But for the moment, Holding's job is protected by North Carolina's U.S. senators, who want him want him to stay put until the Easley and Edwards investigations are resolved.
Holding's staff has convened grand juries to examine alleged misdeeds by Easley. No indictments have been issued, but the allegations are that Easley used his power to expedite permits for favored developers and win a lucrative job for his wife at N.C. State University.
A grand jury is also trying to determine whether Edwards broke campaign finance laws by using donations to hush a former mistress, Rielle Hunter.
Holding has said from the start that he wouldn't worry if forced to hand off these investigations to a Democratic successor. He also vowed to not rush along investigations to meet some sort of arbitrary deadline brought by political nominations from Washington.
So, will 2010 bring criminal charges against two of the state's most prominent Democrats? One thing is clear: Holding, the man in charge, keeps his job until that question is answered.
Staff writer Mandy Locke
Martin Nesbitt: Out to protect Democratic majority
The North Carolina Senate has been in Democratic hands for 110 years, and Martin Nesbitt aims to keep it that way.
As the new Senate majority leader, Nesbitt, a broad-shouldered 64-year old lawyer, racing crew chief and mountain populist, is taking over during a difficult time for Democrats. He is replacing Sen. Tony Rand, a legendary leader who is stepping down to head he state Parole Commission.
Nesbitt is trying to hold on to the Democrats' 30-20 majority in the Senate, despite several retirements of key Democrats and a political environment that at the moment does not appear friendly to the party. The economy is still in the ditch, the legislature recently raised taxes and Democrats have been beset with scandals. All 50 Senate seats are up in November.
The last time Nesbitt lost a legislative race was during the 1994 Republican landslide. So he is sure to be alert for gathering GOP rock slides.
Few operators on Jones Street are more knowledgeable than Nesbitt, a 30-year legislative veteran. But he has a reputation for being an independent operator. Observers are interested in how he'll perform as the Senate's No. 2 man, under Senate leader Marc Basnight.
Staff writer Rob Christensen
Brad Wilson: Steering Blue Cross through change
In February, When J. Bradley "Brad" Wilson takes over as CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, he'll inherit the state's largest health insurer just as reform is poised to reshape the industry.
Wilson's decisions will matter to the Chapel Hill company's 4,900 employees and 3.7 million members. But his leadership and influence will also affect the broader medical and political arenas in North Carolina.
He also will become a lightning rod for critics who say Blue Cross controls too much of the state's health insurance market, charges too much money and pays its executives too much.
But Wilson is used to drawing fire, having served on the UNC Board of Governors and as general counsel to Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Wilson has been with Blue Cross for almost 15 years, holding a variety of positions, most recently chief operating officer. In October he was named president and designated heir to CEO Bob Greczyn, who plans to retire Feb. 1.
For 2008, Wilson made $1.78 million. He is likely to get a raise with his new title.
Staff Writer Alan M. Wolf
Dallas Woodhouse: Rallying N.C. conservatives
In many ways, Dallas Woodhouse is one of the brewmasters of the conservative tea party movement in North Carolina.
Whether it is organizing a bus tour to fight Democratic health care insurance plans, rallying support for the new Wake County Board of Education or fighting proposed new labor or environmental laws, Woodhouse is usually in the middle of it.
If 2009 was the year that the conservative grass-roots movement reawakened after several bad elections, 2010 is the year conservatives hope to translate their political activism into political gain. Woodhouse can be expected to play a central role as state director of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group with ties to Raleigh businessman Art Pope.
Woodhouse, 36, a former Raleigh TV reporter, is part of a well-known Raleigh political family. Most notably, he has sparred publically with his brother Brad, communications director for the Democratic National Committee.
More family tensions are likely ahead this year for the Woodhouse brothers.
Staff writer Rob Christensen
Dorothy Cowser Yancy: Shaw University's hope
Last year, Dorothy Cowser Yancy came out of comfortable retirement to right Shaw University's fast-sinking ship.
As its first female president, she faces the formidable job of pulling the South's oldest historically black college out of debt that topped $20 million.
Yancy brought an impressive résumé from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, where she raised more than $145 million in 14 years at the helm. But Shaw is also dealing with an aging infrastructure and disillusioned alumni.
So far under her leadership, Shaw has received a $4.1 million federal grant to help fight health disparities nationwide. Caffe Luna in downtown Raleigh held a fundraiser in October.
There is wide speculation among Shaw Bears that as interim president, Yancy won't stay longer than a year. But what she can accomplish in that time will mean everything to Shaw's survival.
Staff writer Josh Shaffer
