UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 29, Page 7
April 30, 1992
WXDR DJ: George Mercer

          Name:        George Mercer
          Show:        Rural Free Delivery
          Time:        12-2 p.m., Saturday
          Occupation:  Public affairs specialist, U.S. Army

     George Mercer has enjoyed country/bluegrass music for about three
decades; for the past two-and-a half years, he has been sharing this
love with the local community as co-host of Rural Free Delivery.
     Mercer has acquired an extensive collection of albums over the
years and this serves as the primary resource for the show.
     The Wilmington native traces his love for old-time country songs
to his fondness for folk music in the 1960s As popular music
progressed from folk to rock, Mercer said he still prefered country
and gradually became interested in bluegrass as well.
     Mercer took on hosting the radio show as a way to play music he
loves for others who love it, too. "If we say on our show that a song
is by Hank Williams, our listeners never have to ask if it's junior or
senior," Mercer said. "They just know it's senior."
     One time, a man who was originally from North Carolina, called in
to request a ballad his mother used to sing to him when he was young.
Mercer and co-host John Lupton searched for the song, finding several
versions of it. After airing it a few times, they received many
thank-you calls for bringing back good memories to listeners.
     "The thing I enjoy most about being involved with the show,"
Mercer said, " is the fun of having people come up and share their
lives with me."
     -Kim Colletti