Barry Poss, founder and longtime operator of Sugar Hill Records, is set to be posthumously inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame as part of their 2026 class.
Based in Durham, NC, Sugar Hill was launched by Barry Poss and Dave Freeman after Poss had worked with Freeman for some time at Rebel and County Records. After learning the ropes, he felt confident in going out on his own, and Freeman supported his move, eventually selling his share of the business back to Barry two years later.
Sugar Hill rose quickly among bluegrass and roots music labels, signing important artists like Ricky Skaggs, Nickel Creek, Chris Thile, Sam Bush, Hot Rize, Jerry Douglas, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and several others, mostly at the start of their careers. Poss had an impeccable eye for talent and all these artists continued to sing his praises, even after they had moved on to larger record companies as their stars rose…