Masters

Hall of Honor Inductees

David Freeman - Born May 22, 1939

Universally respected as a preeminent collector, historian and authority on old-time and bluegrass music, David Freeman played a major role in recording and developing the careers of influential artists including Ralph Stanley, Charlie Waller, Kenny Baker, Tommy Jarrell, Larry Sparks, Red Allen, Jim Eanes, The Whites and many others.

As a youth in New York City, Freeman was captivated by the sounds and culture of the Southern string bands of the 1920s and 1930s from long out of print 78 rpm records. He established County Records in 1963, reissuing in a modern format and preserving music that might otherwise have been lost to all but a few privileged collectors. These and other recordings were marketed via mail order through County Sales, begun in 1965, and through Record Depot, the wholesale distribution company he founded in 1977. Moving to Virginia in 1974, he acquired Rebel Records in 1980, building it into one of the foremost independent labels specializing in bluegrass.

Freeman's leadership of his own businesses and guidance to others fostered the growth and accessibility of the music to a worldwide audience.

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