Wrap up your Fourth of July Weekend on The Highway

WHRO | By Barry Graham

Published July 4, 2025 at 12:19 PM EDT

Wrap up your holiday weekend with songs all about America and Independence on this week's Acoustic Highway. Hear tracks from Sufjan Stevens, Tracy Chapman, Gary Paul, John Denver, and plenty of others. John Denver's "American Child" comes from his 1980 "Autograph" release with came out as Denver's career was slowing down from its heyday in the mid 70s. Denver had skyrocketed to fame with several pop hits including "Sunshine on my Shoulders," "Annie's Song," and "Back Home Again." His 1975 album "Windsong" was his final album to be ranked #1 on The Billboard Charts. Autograph has since been rediscovered by fans and recognized as an outstanding release. Tune in for the Acoustic Highway- Sunday night at 9 on WJRV.

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Barry Graham

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.

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