Crouch awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine

Mar. 22—LENOIR — Caldwell County native, Patrick Crouch, was recently awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of the highest honors in the state of North Carolina. Conferred by Gov. Roy Cooper and presented by Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons, Crouch received the honor at the 25th annual Caldwell Traditional Musicians Showcase which he, along with his wife Kay S. Crouch, has produced and performed in since 1998.

Since 1963, North Carolina's governors have reserved their highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. As an honoree, Crouch is now included on a roster maintained by the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, joining notable North Carolina musicians Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, and Charlie Daniels, along with other North Carolina luminaries including Maya Angelou, Andy Griffith, Michael Jordan, Billy Graham, Coretta Scott King, Richard Petty, Dean Smith, and Charles Kuralt.

In presenting the award, Gibbons referred to Crouch as "the godfather of music in our city. He supports everything. You'll see him everywhere."

In a letter of support for the Long Leaf Pine nomination, Wayne Martin, former director of the North Carolina Arts Council, wrote that Crouch's involvement with the Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention has helped make it "one of the state's best grassroots music events. His personal warmth, combined with extraordinary talent, attracts people from across the country." Martin continued to say that Crouch has made "significant contributions over forty years' time to perpetuate and promote the music traditions of western North Carolina."

In addition, both Patrick and Kay Crouch were recognized by the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center for their 25 years of service to the musicians showcase which has featured more than 250 different musicians in its quarter century. The presentation was made by David Briggs, the inaugural director of the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center who first had the idea for the showcase in 1998. Briggs was then honored for his dedication and vision in arts presenting in Caldwell County.

Crouch previously taught band for 30 years at Granite Falls Middle School where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2000. He has played in the acoustic trio, Strictly Clean and Decent, since 1989, performing in Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Canada, and in 11 American states. He owns and operates Ticknock Recording Studio and is listed in the Traditional Artist Directory of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

Other honors Crouch has received include the L.A. Dysart Man of the Year Award for Caldwell County, the Loving Lenoir Pinnacle Award, Caldwell County Schools Hall of Honor, the Hickory Music Factory Lifetime Achievement Award, and he was recognized as a Tourism Ambassador by the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce.

As the latest member of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, Crouch now has the privilege of proposing the North Carolina Toast:

"Here's to the land

of the long leaf pine,

The summer land

where the sun doth shine,

Where the weak grow strong

and the strong grow great,

Here's to 'down home,'

the Old North State!"