NASCAR has deeps roots in the area. Junior Johnson, Wilkes county native and discoverer of "drafting", began his fast-lane career on our mountain roads bootlegging moonshine during Prohibition and beyond. Gentleman Ned Jarrett, who owned and operated the infamous Hickory Motor Speedway, has led his children (Dale, Glenn and Patti) and grandchildren (Jason) in the world of stock car racing. Local boys done good.
In the arts, Jon Reep, stand-up comedian, won the 2007 Last Comic Standing and has kept us laughing
ever since. Eric Church whose latest album, Caldwell County, hit Billboard's country charts in January of this year. Matthew Settle of Hickory has acted in films and TV since 1996 and is currently working on his Broadway debut in Chicago the Musical.
Rick Barnes, who's consistently brought the Longhorn basketball team in Austin, TX into the NCAA playoffs every year since the 98-99 season was born and raised in Hickory. Mr. Irrelevant of 2009 was our own Ryan Succop who graduated from Hickory High School. He went on to kick for the USC Gamecocks and now for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Denzel Washington's wife, Pauletta Pearson, was brought up in the Newton area. Her sister owns a great coffee house called Zanders that you must visit.
The last notable citizen to mention is Chris Hughes. He is the co-founder of Facebook. Wow, this is truly an accomplishment.
What other notable residents did I not mention?
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