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Pickin Salutes Dave Freeman

Pickin on WHRV salutes Dave Freeman on this week’s program. Freeman founded the County Records Label in the early 60s with a focus on bluegrass and old-time string music. Freeman later expanded the label to include mail-order sales through County Records, and he also founded the bluegrass music distribution company “Record Depot.” In the 80s, Freeman bought the Charlottesville based Rebel Records which today is one of the few remaining labels that solely distributes classic bluegrass. He also was a founder of the Sugar Hill Records label. Freeman was inducted into the International Bluegrass Hall of Honor in 2002. He passed away in December at age 84, leaving behind a legacy as a true lover and ever loyal Bluegrass music advocate. We’ll hear some of the legendary artists that he helped to launch and expose to a wider audience. Pickin Producer Harold Smith will also share some of his remembrances of Freeman. Pickin on WHRV airs Sunday night at 7 on WHRV.

Barry Graham used to arrive at WHRO with a briefcase full of papers and lesson plans. For 32 years he taught US and Virginia Government in the Virginia Beach Public Schools. While teaching was always his first love, radio was a close second. While attending Old Dominion, Barry was program director at WODU, the college radio station. After graduating, he came to WHRO as an overnight announcer. Originally intending to stay on only while completing graduate school, he was soon hooked on Public Radio and today is the senior announcer on WHRV. In 2001, Barry earned his Ph.D in Urban Studies by writing a history of WHRO and analyzing its impact upon local education, policy and cultural arts organizations.