Kinston in Lenoir County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Birth of Funk

— Legends & Lore —

Photographed by Dave W, June 17, 2023

1. Birth of Funk Marker

Inscription.
Innovative musicians from Kinston helped create Funk Music in the 1960s with James Brown’s Band. Starting with Nat Jones.

Erected 2021 by North Carolina Folklife Institute / William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 100.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Entertainment.

Location. 35° 15.694′ N, 77° 34.854′ W. Marker is in Kinston, North Carolina, in Lenoir County. It is at the intersection of East Gordon Street and North Queen Street, on the right when traveling east on East Gordon Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 N Queen St, Kinston NC 28501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

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one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Kinston Sit-Ins (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fire Hydrants (about 800 feet away); The Town Of Kingston (about 800 feet away); Lenoir County WW I and WW II Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Taylor Wood, CSN (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Cat Hole (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Honor and Remembrance (approx. 0.2 miles away); CSS Neuse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kinston.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Cat Hole (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Additional information of the Birth of Funk.

The rhythm-derived musical genre of funk was popularized in the 1970s and 1980s, however its roots extend back earlier still. Famed musician Nathaniel “Nat” Jones of Kinston, and other African American musical pioneers from eastern North Carolina played a vital role in shaping
Photographed by Dave W, June 17, 2023

2. Birth of Funk Marker
its development and bringing it to the masses.

(Submitted on June 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 872 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 18, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.