HELLERMAN

Fred Hellerman was born in Brooklyn and educated at Brooklyn College. He taught himself to play guitar while serving in the Coast Guard during World War II and continued to play after the war, performing in a group called American Folksay. In 1949 he formed the folk group, The Weavers with Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert and Lee Hays and co-wrote some of their hits. The group continued until 1963 and held several reunion concerts documented in the film The Weavers: Wasn’t That a Time! (1982). He also wrote “I’m Just a Country Boy” with Marshall Barer recorded by Harry Belafonte, Don Williams and may others. He has also maintained a career behind the scenes as an arranger, session musician and producer and is known for producing Arlo Guthrie’s record album Alice’s Restaurant.