The 2019 Piedmont Laureate, David Menconi  is a journalist and author in Raleigh, North Carolina. He spent 34 years writing for daily newspapers, 28 of those years at the Raleigh News & Observer. Before that, he spent five years at the Boulder (CO) Daily Camera.

His degrees include a masters in journalism from the University of Texas, an undergraduate English degree from Southwestern University and a valid high-school diploma.

In addition to writing for numerous publications, David is editor of the American Music: New Roots book series at University of North Carolina Press. He has published five books himself including 2023’s Oh, Didn’t They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music. His previous book Step It Up and Go: the Story of North Carolina Popular Music, from Blind Boy Fuller and Doc Watson to Nina Simone and Superchunk won the 2021 North Caroliniana Society Book Award for the book that captures the essence of North Carolina by contributing powerfully to an understanding of the state.