On August 20, 2025, our friend Eric “The Blueridge Boy” Freeman was arrested at gunpoint by Asheville police on drug possession charges. Not only is Eric a generous and kind person, but he is also a steward of the American blues tradition and an unbelievably gifted guitar player and performer. He has spent the last few years playing gigs in and around the Asheville area and mentoring other people within the folk and blues music community. 

Having spent years of his life without a home he has made it a point to open his house up to other people experiencing homelessness since he moved to Buncombe County. Unfortunately, one of the folks he had opened up his home to was a fugitive, which brought the US marshals and APD to his door. As it stands now, Eric is facing a potential 22 years in prison for nonviolent offenses. He remains in Buncombe county jail awaiting trial. He is currently 55 years old and a 22 year sentence seems incredibly severe in comparison to his alleged crimes. We ask for your support to help our friend and mentor get access to private legal representation so that he can continue to share music and laughs with those close to him and contribute his talents to the great tradition of American blues music.

Links of Eric:

https://youtu.be/Zd3-8ulAsGQ?si=jg0tmFVv7ttX2g6f

https://youtu.be/vEWoD7cZGWg?si=WMm0kIQXh3frnWvX

https://youtu.be/DhyxfV3Ovh4?si=6axsn9EDXnGEd82N

https://youtu.be/UlmUm1LU1C0?si=Zf_Vsp_1IdqgnEus