A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to be awarded the 2008 Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio, as the No. 1 Individual Artist in Ohio.

Winning such a prestigious award indeed was a great honor, but I was most honored to win the award representing Appalachian Ohio.

As the first Individual Artist winner from southern Ohio, I felt the award was as much for this area as me personally.

As this area so often is overlooked in so many ways, I was very proud to be part of bringing some well-deserved recognition to it.

Throughout my career as a professional musician and recording artist, I always have worked, through songs and stories, to paint a positive picture of the southern Ohio area we call home.

I would like to thank all of southern Ohio, Scioto County and the Portsmouth area for all the support they have given to my music to help make this award possible. I also would like to thank all of those who took time from their busy schedules to make the trip to Columbus for the awards. I truly appreciated it.

And to all those who took out ads in the program: Portsmouth Area Arts Council, Southern Ohio Museum, Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association, Carl Daehler and Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, The William A. Burke Family, Martha Appel Burton, Market Street Hardware, our own radio icon Steve Hayes, the lovely ladies at Market Street Cafe and everyone at Ye Olde Lantern Restaurant, where Tim and Stephanie Arms have been so kind to allow me to use as sort of a home base for my music.

The show of support from all of you was as meaningful to me as the award itself.

You have proven what I have tried to convey to audiences across the country for years, there is no better place and there are no better people than we have right here.

Steve Free

McDermott