Junior Ray “Pete” Whitcher of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, passed away on July 15th, we were saddened to hear. Pete was a Music Maker artist for close to twelve years, a talented musician who preferred to stay in his home county. MMRF Founder Tim Duffy met Pete through a friend of the Foundation, Tony Young. Pete was a farm assistant, working many years on the land, and “could play some great old country Blues,” according to Tim.

Tim documented his talent, and MMRF assisted Pete throughout the past years with our Musician Sustenance Program. In 2011 MMRF was provide Pete with an electric guitar from a generous donor.

Through traveling was not for him, we know Pete’s music will live on through all that knew him, and those that continue to play the old country Blues he loved. He will be missed.