Charlie-Poole
Rockingham County was home to the man often dubbed the grandfather of modern country music.  Charlie Poole lived and worked in Eden where he had his humble beginnings.  It was here that he assembled his famed group, the North Carolina Ramblers, which helped launch his international career as a Columbia Records recording artist during the 1920s and 1930s. 

Poole and the Ramblers were one of the most popular bands of the 1920s and they had a great impact on the development of bluegrass music and modern country music.  Poole is largely responsible for popularizing the banjo.  The 2005-released three-CD box set of Poole’s music, “You Ain’t Talkin’ to Me,” received three GRAMMY nominations in 2006.  Each June the local community celebrates Poole’s contribution to the country music industry with the Charlie Poole Music Festival.

The Hoppers
The Hoppers, whose name has been synonymous with traditional Gospel Music for over three decades, are originally from Rockingham County.

This group, dubbed “America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music,” has enjoyed many popular hit releases and their first number one release came in 1990 with the song entitled Here I Am. It stayed at the top of the charts for 4 months and was awarded song of the year for 1990. Since that time, five Hopper releases have peaked at Number One.

In addition to enormous radio success, the Hoppers have enjoyed other national recognition.  Since 1998, they have toured with the Gaither Homecoming show that played to over 900,000 people per year in most major sports arenas around the country. They have also enjoyed much success as a result of many group and individual awards and accolades.

The original Hopper brothers were born in Madison.  The current group consists of Claude, Connie, Dean, Kim and Mike Hopper.  Claude founded the group and is one of the leading members of the NC Gospel Music Hall of Honor, which is planned for Mayodan.



Janet Paschal
One of today’s most sought after and admired Christian artists, Janet Paschal is another Rockingham County native who has achieved musical fame. She has received multiple Grammy and Dove Award nominations. In 2005 she was named Diamond Awards Soloist of the Year.

Internationally acclaimed as a gifted songwriter, vocalist and author, Janet has ministered worldwide for more than two decades, occupying a place among the genre’s top musical artists. She has had the opportunities to sing for Dr. Billy Graham and President George Bush and toured with Bill and Gloria Gaither.
After moving to Nashville in 1992, Janet became the Official Spokesperson for Mission of Mercy, an international Christian relief organization. Following her first trip to Calcutta, India, she concluded, "You realize there's a whole world out there that God cares about."