Republican gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith paid country singer Lee Greenwood $100,000 to write a song, perform at barbecues and do other work for his campaign, according to a campaign finance report.

Greenwood is best known for his patriotic song, "God Bless the U.S.A.," which has become a staple of Republican political events.

Greenwood debuted the Smith song, "From Good to Great," at a fundraiser for the candidate in October. He has also played it live at a handful of Smith's barbecues, and the campaign has used a video of Greenwood at other functions.

Smith has used the barbecues to raise money, collecting nearly $28,000 from 900 donors who each gave less than $50.

Campaign manager Jonathan Hill said that the $100,000, which was paid to Lee Greenwood Inc. of Nashville, Tenn., also went for things that Greenwood has not yet done, and he criticized a recent video by state Democrats lampooning the song.

"It's typical of the Democratic reaction that they jump to a conclusion when they don't have the facts," he said. "We've got a long campaign to go, and those expenses are related to the entire campaign, not just a song."

Smith would not specify what else Greenwood will do for the campaign, but he said it will be good.

"We've got lots of plans, and they'll see it when it comes out," he said.

State Bar clears Hughes

Lawyer Staples Hughes will not be reprimanded for revealing a client's confidential confession after the client died.

Hughes was trying to help prisoner Lee Wayne Hunt, who was convicted of killing a Fayetteville couple 21 years ago and was sentenced to life in prison. Hughes testified in court that his client, Jerry Cashwell, had told him that he acted alone in killing the couple.

Hughes said Wednesday that the N.C. State Bar cleared him last week after a lengthy investigation about his disclosure. He said the bar dismissed a complaint against him, finding no probable cause.

Hunt, whose case gained national attention after he appeared on "60 Minutes," is still fighting to prove his innocence. The N.C. Supreme Court recently denied Hunt's request for a review of his case.

Hunt's attorneys are planning to appeal the case to federal court.

Accentuating the positive

The Pope Center for Higher Education Policy used to skewer college classes in its "Course of the Month" selection, which heaped scorn on classes with a multicultural, feminist or pop culture theme.

Now it's taking a more positive approach, with its first Spirit of Inquiry Contest, according to a news release. The goal is to find the best undergraduate courses "that allow students freedom to explore ideas within the context of a serious academic discipline," the release said.

The faculty member who teaches the winning course will receive an award of $1,000 for education and research-related expenses. Second- and third-place finalists will receive awards of $750 and $500.

That could provoke a ruckus among professors who have fought against proposed donations to UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State from the John William Pope Foundation, which tends to fund conservative causes.

Students are encouraged to nominate courses in the Pope Center's new contest. If a student nominates the winning course, he or she will receive $250 worth of textbooks. Courses taught at all public, private and community colleges in North Carolina are eligible.

Court toasts 40 years

It has been 40 years since judges on the N.C. Court of Appeals began hearing cases.

Officers of the court will celebrate the 40-year anniversary at 2 p.m. today in the Court of Appeals courtroom. Among the guests will be former Appeals Court and state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, who is running for governor.

"I am looking forward to the ceremony at the courtroom and to visiting with colleagues and friends who have served on and worked for the court over the years," he said in a statement.

The General Assembly decided to create the court in 1967 because the N.C. Supreme Court had become overburdened. In October of the same year, the appeals court began taking cases.

The Court of Appeals has 15 judges who sit in rotating panels of three.

They decide questions of law on every case -- except death penalty cases -- appealed from superior and district courts.