Visionary producer and director Robert Deaton was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Thursday night, October 16, during the 2025 Induction Ceremony at the Mooresville Performing Arts Center.
Following his speech, the Fayetteville, NC native was surprised with a heartfelt video tribute featuring messages from colleagues and artists, including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Luke Bryan, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, CeCe Winans, and many more.
Overcome with emotion, the proud North Carolina native spoke about the gravity of the moment, saying, “I love being from North Carolina. It made me who I am today. I’m so honored to be going in with this amazing group of creative people, especially my buddy Luke Combs. I’d also like to do a shoutout, even though he’s not able to be here, to Eric Church. He’s a Tar Heel, a member of this Hall of Fame (2015), and he was influential in me being here tonight.”
Other 2025 inductees included:
• Luke Combs (Huntersville, NC) – Multi-platinum country superstar and 11x CMA Award-winner.
• Clyde Mattocks (Kinston, NC) – Legendary steel guitarist and founder of the Super Grit Cowboy Band.
• David Childers (Mount Holly, NC) – Revered singer-songwriter and painter known for his vivid Southern storytelling.
• Hattie “Chatty Hattie” Leeper (Charlotte, NC) – Trailblazing radio personality and one of the first Black women DJs in the South.
• Dexter Romweber (Chapel Hill, NC) – Influential roots-rock artist credited with shaping the indie and rockabilly revival.
Presented by Visit Mooresville, the event celebrates the state’s rich musical legacy and the artists who continue to shape it. For more information, visit NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org.
Deaton accepting his induction award on stage from emcee and longtime WCNC-TV on-air personality Larry Sprinkle. | Photo Credit: Eric Shepard
About Robert Deaton
Robert Deaton is an innovative and award-winning director and producer who has influenced popular culture and created one-of-a-kind film, television, and music performances that define careers, from emerging talent to superstar artists. Since 2007, he has served as executive producer of country music’s biggest night, the CMA Awards on ABC. The two-time Emmy winner also helms CMA Fest (since 2004) and CMA Country Christmas (since 2010)—annual primetime specials that consistently rank among the top-rated network events and showcase the broad appeal that continues to place country music at the forefront of American culture.
Deaton’s creative influence extends far beyond the CMA franchise. His career began in 1992 with ABC’s Monday Night Football, where he spent seven years producing the show’s iconic Hank Williams Jr. opener—winning two Sports Emmy Awards. His extensive list of executive producer credits includes ABC’s Somewhere in the Sun with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This (2011), and the competition series Duets featuring Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, and Robin Thicke. Most recently, he spearheaded New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash on CBS. A proud Fayetteville, North Carolina native and lifelong Tar Heels fan, Deaton will be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame this fall.
Country Music’s Biggest Night™ broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 19 at 8/7c on ABC and the next day on Hulu.