Barry Graham

Barry Graham is likely to arrive at WHRV with a briefcase full of test papers and lesson plans. In "real life" he teaches  US Government to High School Seniors in Virginia Beach. A Norfolk native, Barry's interest in radio began when he became program director at WODU, the college radio station of Old Dominion University. After graduation, he came to WHRO in 1984 as one of the original overnight announcers. Originally intending to stay at the station only while completing graduate school, his love of radio soon hooked him on Public Radio. In 2001, Barry completed a Ph.D. in Urban Studies by writing a history of WHRO and analyzing the impact of Public Radio on local cultural arts organizations.

After the debut of WHRV in 1990, Barry shifted from overnights to being Jae Sinnet's Guest Host for evening jazz, Rollie' Bristol's Guest Host on Rollie Radio, and working the occasional “ All Things Considered” afternoon shift. In 2002, he was promoted to producer and now crafts the Sunday evening Folk Programming and helps fuel the renewed interest in traditional Americana music. His two programs "Acoustic Highway" and "Picking on WHRV" draw deep on the traditions of singer-songwriters. The shows present everything from Celtic to classic bluegrass and also feature in-studio guests and live concerts. An enthusiastic partner with the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music, Barry works with the group to see that the finest traditions of folk music are preserved and presented. An admitted workaholic, Barry's busy life revolves around his role as a teacher and announcer at WHRV, where he is a known prankster with a wicked sense of humor.

You can reach Barry at barry.graham@whro.org.