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Catawba County is home to more than 150,000 North Carolinians. Many current and former professional athletes, actors and business success stories began in and around Hickory, its largest city.
Ned and Dale Jarrett, legendary NASCAR family turned announcers, along with many other notable drivers, have called Catawba County home. World Series Champion pitcher and 2014 MVP Madison Bumgarner and American singer-songwriter, pianist and composer Tori Amos were both born in Hickory and lived nearby.
Other notable figures include Ryan Succop, Tennessee Titans placekicker; Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook; basketball coach Rick Barnes; and MLB pitcher, Bryan Harvey.
– Chuck Norman, APR, S&A Communications