Drive-By Truckers
Freed's relationship with the band started in the mid-90s, when Freed was touring with his now-defunct group, Dirtball, a critically acclaimed band that Allmusic called "alt-country at its finest." Freed first saw the Drive-by Truckers play at Atlanta's Bubbapalooza in 1996 and asked the them to play the Capital City Barn Dance, a monthly series of alt-country shows that the Freeds, along with several other Richmonders hosted, and a friendship was born.
The Truckers have remained friends with the Freeds since that time, often staying with them when they played shows in Richmond. It was there that the band first saw Freed's artwork and felt his vision meshed well with their musical sensibilities.
When DBT began work on their ambitious two-disc project, Southern Rock Opera, they asked Freed to contribute some of the album art for the series of punk-inspired roots-rock songs loosely based on the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as Hood’s own experience coming to grips with the contradictions of his Southern heritage.
The album was widely praised after its release in 2001, earning four stars from longtime Rolling Stone critic David Fricke. The Truckers unique sound and rowdy shows drew crowds and soon elevated them from struggling touring band to regular sellout.
Freed also painted and designed the album covers and booklets for the band's 2003 release, Decoration Day, 2004’s The Dirty South, 2006's A Blessing and a Curse, and 2008's Brighter Than Creation's Dark.
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