The Alabama people that made significant cultural contributions locally, regionally and nationally in 2022, as determined by the AL.com Life & Culture staff.

RELATED: Alabama Entertainers of the Year 2021

Abe Partridge

Working with Ferrill Gibbs, another songwriter with Mobile ties, Partridge brought his unique perspective to “American Astronaut,” a podcast about the distinctive music of snake-handling churches. It’s a thoughtful and respectful exploration of a subculture that’s often depicted as a freakshow – but it’s still incredibly entertaining. — Lawrence Specker

Adam Evans, Automatic Seafood and Oysters

Adam Evans, a native of Muscle Shoals, scored a big win at the 2022 James Beard Awards, earning the title of Best Chef in the South. These awards are known “the Oscars of the food world,” and Evans is a rising star, as the executive chef and co-owner of Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Birmingham. He feeds us well and makes us proud. If that’s not entertaining, what is? — Mary Colurso

‘American Idol’ contestants from Alabama

A trio of singers from Alabama — Tristen Gressett, Cadence Baker and Kezia “Lady K” Istonia — made “American Idol” highly watchable this year. They captured our imaginations with magnetic performances on the long-running TV reality series, and earned kudos from the judges that resonated across the land. All three made the top 20 in the competition, and the soulful Lady K earned a spot in the top 10. As these skillful contestants proved, Alabama’s “Idol” dynasty continues. — Mary Colurso

Bleu

In the modern era where streaming is king, this Mobile rapper’s exploits weren’t as easy to follow as simply checking the airplay charts. But he continued to charge from success to success, including the release of “Tantra,” his follow-up to his breakthrough album “Moon Boy.” Once again he drew in A-list collaborators, including Zayn, Lil Wayne, Kelly Rowland and Nicki Minaj. — Lawrence Specker

Daniel Scheinert

One half of the filmmaking partnership “The Daniels” (along with Daniel Kwan), this Birmingham native co-wrote and co-directed “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” one of the best-reviewed movies of the year, now on a collision course with the Oscars, potentially landing nominations for best picture, director, screenplay and more. A modern science fiction epic dubbed “an assault on the senses,” his film promotes kindness amidst a generation gap spurred by technology, and he got spanked by the legendary Michelle Yeoh in the process. — Ben Flanagan

David Howard Thornton

David Howard Thornton is the nicest murderer you’ll ever meet. OK, Thornton isn’t a real murderer but he’s become a horror star portraying wacko killers onscreen. This year he starred in the year’s buzziest horror film, “Terrifier 2,″ as Art the Clown and as a certain furry green baddie in Grinch parody “The Mean One.” — Matt Wake

The Descendants

The prize-winning documentary “Descendant” makes the point that while the discovery of the slave ship Clotilda is a big deal, the descendants of its survivors embody a living legacy. In 2022 the world got introduced to Joycelyn Davis, Veda Tunstall, Emmett Lewis and others with powerful truths to tell – and the descendants got to do some international globe-trotting on the film festival circuit. This is history, not entertainment, but these champions of a unique community were ready for the spotlight of public attention when it came. — Lawrence Specker

Duquette Johnston

The Birmingham musician’s new album “The Social Animals,” released through Florence’s Single Lock Records, gave him new purpose as an artist, husband and father, particularly after enduring unexpected adversity (on top of the pandemic) that tested his family’s resolve. The new album reckons with his complicated past while forging ahead with clearheaded hopefulness. Johnston was also featured in the documentary “Etowah,” chronicling his unique life and career. — Ben Flanagan

The Excelsior Band

This Mobile institution is among the 2022 National Heritage Fellows honored by the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA describes the fellowships as “our nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.” Excelsior is more than just the soundtrack of good times in Mobile – the band is now literally, and officially, a national treasure. — Lawrence Specker

Glenn Maxey

Man, did things turn around for Glenn Maxey this year. The previous year, his wife, mom and dad passed away. But in 2022 after spending the last 28 years working in industrial electronics, Maxey rejoined ‘90s rock hitmakers Brother Cane as their bassist for well received reunion shows, with a more extensive tour planned for ‘23. — Matt Wake

Jimmy Hall

As front man for Wet Willie, Mobile native Hall hit the Top 10 nearly 50 years ago with “Keep on Smilin’.” Now, with some help from Joe Bonamassa, he’s got an absolute gem of a solo album. For Hall and his longtime fans, “Ready Now” may stand as a career capstone. — Lawrence Specker

Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires

For more than a decade, the blue-collar Southern rocking Alabama trio (now based in Atlanta) played at least 100 live shows per year, some years more than double that, before the pandemic took away touring. Bains and his bandmates Adam Williamson (bass) and Blake Williamson (drums) used periods of isolation to work on their new album “Old-Time Folks” — led by the single “God’s A-Working, Man” — and recorded during sessions in Athens, Ga., between 2019-2021. The record since landed on Rolling Stone’s “100 Best Albums of 2022.” — Ben Flanagan

‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’

“Love & Marriage: Huntsville” is a big deal. Not only is the accurately titled reality TV show Number One on OWN (the Oprah Winfrey Network) according to Deadline, it’s also tops among Black female viewers ages 18 and up across cable and broadcast. Currently in its fifth season, the show revolves around three local Black power couples – Melody and Martell Holt, Marsau and LaTisha Scott and Maurice and Kimmi Scott – balancing marriage, business and friendships. — Matt Wake

Orion Amphitheater

In Huntsville history, Orion Amphitheater’s a line in the sand. The world-class amphitheater debuted this spring, bringing shows Huntsville wouldn’t have snagged otherwise, like Stevie Nicks, Jack White and Dave Matthews Band. After Orion was featured in Rolling Stone, Alabama’s nerdiest city was now officially cool. — Matt Wake

Roy Wood Jr.

Roy Wood Jr. — a comedian, writer, actor and producer who grew up in Birmingham — upped his public profile in 2022 in a major way. Wood excels as a seriously funny correspondent on “The Daily Show,” but he’s also been short-listed as a likely replacement for host Trevor Noah. Whether he gets the gig or not, Wood is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world. He makes us laugh. He makes us think. He illuminates social and political issues in America, never shying way from shining that spotlight on the South and his home state. — Mary Colurso

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Alabama Entertainers of the Year 2021

Alabama Entertainers of the Year 2020

Alabama Entertainers of the Year 2019