Bland Simpson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is also pianist for The Red Clay Ramblers, the Tony Award–winning string band. In 2005 he received the North Carolina Award, the state's highest civilian honor. Ann Cary Simpson, photographer, served for thirty years at national and North Carolina environmental organizations and UNC's School of Government. She now is a senior associate with moss + ross strategic consulting. Tom Earnhardt, photographer, is the renowned host-writer-director of the long-running PBS North Carolina show Exploring North Carolina. He was a professor of law at North Carolina Central University and is author of North Carolina: Crossroads of the Natural World. Scott Taylor is a professional photographer and educator based in Beaufort, North Carolina. He currently holds the position of chair of the Photographic Technology Program at Carteret Community College in Morehead City.