Music is a gift from God that should never be ignored as it (most of the time) delivers hope and knowledge to those searching for it. Artist Fred Presley is one example of someone who did not ignore that gift. Fred was raised in a home where music was almost a religion as it surrounded the home daily. His brothers were also musicians and stood as a huge influence on him. When he turned thirteen, he was given his first guitar by one of his brothers and it became the steppingstone to his musical journey.
His cousins were part of the band The Cowhills that were a pop band in the 60’s that inspired The Patridge Family. Fred heard bands like The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Peter Frampton, and Hank Williams Sr. in his home on a constant basis. For himself he personally was influenced by acts like James Taylor, Eagles, Jason Isbell, and Sarah Jarosz.
“Seeing and hearing them play, along with my first Cousins, the Cowsills, it was hard not to be influenced by such amazing talent.”
He was raised in Alabama was his family soon moved to Rhode Island. Tragedy struck the family when his father was involved in a terrible car accident. The events surrounding that incident affected Fred and he would later pen a song titled “Happy Valley Days” which harped on that specific struggle and the power of family bonding and never giving up hope.
Fred would enter the industry of environmental science for a period before he returned to his first love, which was music. The first debut single was titled “Sympathize”, which touched upon the issue of the environment and climate change. Prior to working on his solo work, he played in a band during college with musicians Joe and John McCue. They performed 80’s and 90’s covers. Years later Joe McCue and Fred recorded a set of singles under the name Soul Whiskey. They released an album titled “Songs from the Lost and Found”, which is still listed on Spotify and iTunes. Joe ended up playing the bass on Fred’s current album.
The new single “My Greatest Disaster” is an example of how Fred offers his personal experiences to his music. This project touches upon how in life we sometimes hurt the ones we love the most and then regret it later. A true aspect of life that we all have experienced at one time or another. It is coupled with another heartfelt track called “One of These Days”.
“My lyrics are usually very personal. Writing songs has always been a form of therapy in my life. Playing them allows me to continue in that therapy.”
Fred is now working on developing a tour to share his music with the public. Now that his music is on multiple platforms, he is more than ready to show the public what he is made of and share his love for music.
Website – fredpresley.com/