Good News Friday: This NC banjo player is in Beyoncé’s newest song

It’s called “Texas Hold ‘Em” but NC is leaving a lasting impression on the superstar’s new country song. 

There’s good news all around the country this week with some pretty big ties to NC. We’ve got Grammy winners, amazing musicians, and a very big football win.

Read on for more from our weekly Good News Friday roundup. 

Greensboro Banjo Player in Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em”

Greensboro native and two-time Grammy winner, Rhiannon Giddens, plays the banjo and viola on Beyoncé’s new song, “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

Giddens wrote in a Facebook post that she found out her playing was used throughout the song the day after the Super Bowl. The solo at the beginning is Giddens, as well as the viola throughout the song. She recorded the music two years ago but had no idea it was for Beyoncé.

“I used to say many times as soon as Beyonce puts the banjo on a track my job is done,” she wrote. “Well, I didn’t expect the banjo to be mine, and I know darn well my job isn’t done, but today is a pretty good day.”

 

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A post shared by Rhiannon Giddens (@rhiannongiddens)

Wilmington Fire Department Gets 2 New Friends

The Wilmington Fire Department teamed up with paws4people, a dog training organization, and added two new faces to their crew!

Jethro and Clyde are 2 of five crisis response dogs in the department that will help victims coming out of traumatic situations and ease the firefighters’ anxieties. All five dogs are part of a larger Mental Health and Wellness program at the department and these two new pups are fitting right in.

 

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A&T Alumna wins a Grammy

NaTasha Yvette Williams, an NC A&T alumna, won a Grammy this month for Best Musical Theater Album. The album is part of the jazz adaptation of the 1959 movie “Some Like It Hot.”

Williams graduated from A&T with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and has since been nominated for a Tony Award, Outer Critic Award, and 2 Grammys.

 

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A post shared by Natasha Yvette Williams (@natashayvettewilliams)

Super Bowl Win for NC Education Alums

For some of you, the Kansas City Chiefs’ win is bad news. But on the bright side, you can also claim some NC pride from the win.

Joshua Williams, Fayetteville native and cornerback, brought home a second Super Bowl win last Sunday. He graduated from Jack Britt High School and Fayetteville State University.

The Chiefs’ roster also includes Joe Thuney, an offensive lineman and former football star at NC State. He has a staggering four Super Bowl wins under his belt after Sunday’s win.

Finally, Noah Gray, who played at Duke, is a tight end for the Chiefs and also earned a second championship ring after the win over the 49ers.

 

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A post shared by Joshua Williams (@jwilliofficial)