Wes Freed
Wes Freed (April 25, 1964 – September 4, 2022) was an Americana Culture artist. His works appeared on album covers of Lauren Hoffman and numerous American rock bands, including Cracker and the Drive-By Truckers. Early life Freed was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, on April 25, 1964. During his high school years, he served as secretary of his school's Future Farmers of America chapter. Injured severely in a cattle chute while in high school, Wes whiled away the hours in recovery drawing and developing his future style of poetic country noir and southern gothic that evoked the dark and lonesome characters of boot leggers, mechanics and haunts grappling with a transitioning rural south during the 1970s. He considered moving to New York to become an artist. However, he relocated to Richmond, Virginia, in 1983 to study painting and printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University. He ultimately remained in Richmond until his death. Career In addition to his art, Freed played in Dirt Ball, an alternative country band based in Richmond. He served as its lead singer starting in 1986. He also played with other local groups, such as the Shiners (a spin-off from Dirt Ball), Mudd Helmet, the Mutant Drones,