WAUSAU — Paco Fralick developed a deep appreciation of music at an early age while growing up in Rhinelander. Although he spent more than two decades as a dentist, he ultimately returned to music. Fralick, a native American, is now an award-winning singer and songwriter who performs throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

At 10 a.m. today, July 11, Fralick will join Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” host Shereen Siewert to share his music and the stories behind his songs. He’ll perform selections from his album, “Letting Go,” which earned him a 2019 Silver Medal in the Global Music Awards. Listeners will hear the 2018 Native American Music Awards Song of the Year, “Women and Water,” inspired by Fralick’s work with a grassroots environmental group, and learn how love for planet earth inspires his songs.

“Route 51” is heard Thursdays at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 101.3 & 91.9/Wausau, AM 930/Auburndale-Stevens Point, 99.1/Stevens Point, 100.9/Marshfield, 90.3/Park Falls, 89.1/Adams-Wisconsin Rapids, and 89.9/Rhinelander-Eagle River. It is re-broadcast Fridays at 7 p.m. on 90.9/Wausau. Program archives are available at wpr.org/route51.

Photo courtesy Wisconsin Public Radio.