Bland Simpson is Kenan Distinguished Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His most recent book is North Carolina: Land of Water, Land of Sky. He is also longtime pianist for the Tony Award-winning string band The Red Clay Ramblers. 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 as associate dean for development at UNC's School of Government, for which she received the Chancellor's Award. She is now a senior associate with moss + ross consulting.