WHRV celebrates “Home for the Holidays”   for the annual  Sunday before Christmas Holiday Program airing this week from  6pm-1 AM. Tune in to hear local singer-songwriters kick off the evening with songs and the stories behind them about coming home. 

  • At 7 celebrate a “ Pickin Christmas” with classic bluegrass songs about the season.
  • At  9 the Acoustic Highway goes on a two-hour tour with artists like John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, Emmy Lou Harris, and  Carly Simon, all sharing wonderful renditions of classic Holiday tunes.  At 10 Jeff Sander, host of “Lost in the Shuffle” shares and hour of forgotten but still classic seasonal tunes. 
  • The late night brings us two final shows with a Country Christmas at 11 and at midnight, our traditional hour of Christmas instrumentals anchored by the wonderful New England Irish Harp Orchestra and their The First Star cd.

One week till Christmas- start wrapping, cooking, trimming the tree, and celebrating with our musical gift to you. Tune in. Sunday night at 6 on 89.5 and Happy Holidays from all of us at WHRO Public Media!

There’s nothing more special during this time of year than memories of home. To help kindle those thoughts, we’ve asked some local musical performers to share songs about home and the stories behind them. You can hear these wonderful features all month long on 89.5 and online.

Featured Artists:

Roger Adams

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Photo: facebook.com

Roger Adams has his roots in the Virginia Fire Band which had a tremendous regional following. He has two solo releases out and is preparing to release his third album. Roger splits his time between his home in Virginia Beach and Nashville, where he is quickly emerging as a country artist. "Home" is from his 2020 CD, Rise up from the Ashes.

Roger is dedicated to giving back and performing for several charities, benefits and senior communities. Every performance always starts with the national anthem.

In November 2021, Mayor Bobby Dyer of Virginia Beach presented him with the City of Virginia Beach Certificate of Recognition. 

Listen to "Home"

Find Roger at RogerAdamsMusic.com | Facebook | Instagram 


Ron Fetner

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Photo: ronfetner.com

Ron Fetner is well known to music lovers in Southeastern Virginia. He has won awards at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival, Merlefest, and the Austin Songwriter's group. His song "Turning from Home" is the title track from his 2001 release. Ron was the first ever in-studio guest on Acoustic Highway.

Born along the southern shores of Lake Erie, Ron’s first interest in music was sparked by the instruments in the back of one of his grandparents’ closets. His grandfather was a drummer/banjo player in the 1930s. By the time Ron was 8, his family relocated to Northern Virginia. The move south brought on piano and saxophone lessons, then guitar. After high school Ron attended the Berklee School of Music.

Ron’s down time is spent with his wife of more than 30 years and breathing in the Virginia tidewater salty air.

Listen to "Turning For Home"

Find Ron at RonFetner.com | Facebook 


Skip Friel

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Photo: skipfriel.com

Virginia Beach native Skip Friel is a mainstay in the local music scene. He has performed on Hunter at Sunrise, Out of the Box, the Acoustic Highway, Writer's Block, and is a regular on the traditional Sunday before Christmas Holiday program on WHRV. His song "Walk Home" is featured on his 2007 debut release Twilight Red Sky.

At age 13, Friel discovered singing, playing guitar and writing songs would be his medium of comfort, helping him to overcome teenage shyness. By 17, he had formed the Virginia Beach-based folk rock band, 'Fresh Produce,' with his brother Randy. The working band was influenced by groups such as The Beatles, CS&N, The Bryds and The Eagles.

By 2003, Friel's current band, ‘The Resonators,’ had begun to form. The Resonators have long since become Southeast Virginia mainstays at outdoor festivals as well as intimate nightclubs.

Listen to "Walk Home"

Find Skip at SkipFriel.com | Facebook 


Tret Fure

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Photo: tretfure.com

Tret Fure is a prolific singer-songwriter having migrated from the mid-west in the 1970s to LA where she toured with the Spencer-Davis Group, The J Geils Band, Yes, and Poco. She has released 17 albums and CDs over a 51-year career. She is a great friend to WHRV and is a frequent guest on Out of the Box, Hunter at Sunrise, and The Acoustic Highway. "Coming Home" is from the 2001 release Back Home.

In addition to touring and recording, Tret teaches guitar and songwriting individually and in workshop settings. She paints pet portraits on commission and, an accomplished cook, Fure has also published a cookbook, Tret's Kitchen, featuring her own recipes.

Listen to "Coming Home"

Find Tret at TretFure.com | Facebook


Dustin Furlow

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Photo: dustinfurlow.com

Dustin Furlow is an award-winning local artist who burst onto the local music scene before graduating from Green Run high school in 2011. He has appeared on Out of the Box, Hunter at Sunrise, and the Acoustic Highway. His 2016 release The Sound That You Call Home was named Album of the Year by WHRV Folk Music Producer Barry Graham. In 2017, Veer Magazine named him best Acoustic/Folk Artist in Southeastern Virginia. In 2021, Dustin was announced as the winner of the Scottish Luthier Taran guitars Young Player Bursary Award. He regularly performs in the region with Matt Thomas and is recognized as a major performer in the burgeoning music scene in Southeastern Virginia.

Dustin says The Sound that You Call Home was written as he was returning from a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains and learning to balance work and art with life.

Listen to "The Sound that You Call Home"

Find Dustin at dustinfurlow.com | Facebook | Instagram


Jim Masters

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Photo: JimMastersMusic.com

Multi-instrumentalist Jim Masters can be found performing in just about any venue capable of featuring live music-from bars and restaurants, to breweries, wineries, even golf courses! His set list covers classic rock, pop, blues, country, and his own tunes. In 2013, Jim released his debut CD Next Train which immediately sold out of initial pressing. He currently is working on a new release which showcases the one constant in his life, his love of the acoustic guitar.

He is a fan favorite on The Acoustic Highway and has appeared on Writer’s Block as the featured musical performer. He also joins other local artists each year singing holiday classics on the traditional Sunday before Christmas program on WHRV.

Find Jim at JimMastersMusic.com


Thelma Jarvis Peterson

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Photo courtesy of Thelma Jarvis Peterson

Eastern Shore resident Thelma Jarvis Peterson is a Norfolk native who grew up on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay. Her music often reflects her love of the water and life on Virginia's Eastern Shore. "Heading Home" is from her second CD Of Salt and Sand. Thelma has appeared on The Acoustic Highway and was a featured musical performer at Writer's Block. Her work has also been featured on WHRV's Open Channel and during Morning Edition.

She is also well known as an artist. Painting professionally for over 20 years, Thelma’s work can be found in various galleries nationwide as well as private and corporate collections. Thelma’s work reflects the landscapes, wildlife, seascapes and people of the Eastern Shore, and often highlights the history and culture of this rich area.

Listen to "Heading Home"

Find Thelma at ThelmaPeterson.com | Facebook


Dhana Rowe & John Conkle

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Dhana Rowe and John Conkle have been performing together for 27 years. They were members of the band Car 44 for seven years. Upon disbanding, Dhana embarked on a solo career performing acoustic and jazz standards. She is well known in the region as the “Queen of the Open Mic Nights” due to her numerous gigs welcoming local performers to showcase their talent. John formed the band “Pedestal” and continues to produce and compose. Both hold day jobs—John is a government contractor and Dhana is a realtor. They continue to work together both in music and in rearing their two sons age 10 and 13.

Listen to "Summer's End"


Jerry Sowers

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Photo courtesy of Jerry Sowers.

Jerry Sowers is a career educator with Hampton City Schools. In addition to teaching music, he is heard around the region performing at countless local and regional festivals. He also hosts the TFAM Coffee House at Wesley United Methodist Church. His Song, "905 Thistle Street," is an homage to the house he grew up in and was issued on his 2015 release Many Windows of the Heart.

Listen to "905 Thistle Street"

Find Jerry on Facebook


Doug Alan Wilcox

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Photo courtesy of Doug Alan Wilcox.

Doug Alan Wilcox has the soul of a poet and the songs to prove it! His quick wit and enduring storytelling has made him a fan favorite with his many appearances on the Acoustic Highway. Doug is a regular on the traditional holiday program that airs the Sunday before Christmas each year. "Coming Home" is a new tune from a forthcoming release.

Listen to "Coming Home"

Find Doug at dawilcox.com | Facebook | Instagram