I was born on March 05, 1953 into a family that played music together as a regular part of their lives. My father and two uncles played guitar and their sister played the harmonica and sang. In those days about the only entertainment they could afford was what they made themselves. When I was real young and the extended families lived close to each other I would listen to the country western music they played and I knew everyone was having a good time. I guess that had a lifelong impact on my love for the music I grew up hearing.
I remember trying to hold and strum a guitar when I was just a little guy, maybe 3 or 4 but when I was 8 years old my uncle Freddie taught me the three basic chords, G , C, and D. That was all I needed to start begging for a guitar of my own. About 6 months later my dad signed me up for 10 weeks of guitar lessons that came with a beginner guitar. I even started to learn how to read music. Like many kids after the initial lessons I bacame a little frustrated and gave up for a while but that didn't last long.
While visiting some friends I saw that they had electric guitars and were practicing in the basement. This sounded like something I wanted to do. I talked my folks into getting me a used solid body Kay guitar and Silvertone amp. My friends and I started playing during most of our spare time just making "noise" at first. Eventually we played at some private parties and then school dances. I was earning $10 a night for those dances, alot of money for us young teens.
I must have been improving as a musician because at the end of 1969 my uncle Freddie invited me to play with him on stage. He even took me to play on the Clyde Joy show on WMUR TV in Manchester NH. We also did some opening act shows at the old Lone Star Ranch in Reeds Ferry NH. That was the premier place for Country music in southern NH. I got to see stars from the Grand Old Opry and others like George Jones, Johnny Cash, and Ernest Tubb. I still miss that place.
From August 1971 to June 1978 I served in the U.S. Army, I still found the time to play and sing. I did many local U.S.O shows. This experience helped me feel more comfortable on stage and strengthened my love for the 50's and 60's country sound.
When I returned home I joined Fred Gentry and the Country Waves and stayed with them until September of 1980. I then formed my own band, Ray Fredricks and the Country Express. We concentrated on the classic country music and have kept that tradition for the last 30 years. Some of the great clubs I've played include the Wonder Bar, Theater Club, and the Lamplighter Lounge in Lawrence, Blue Star Bar in Saugus, Hotel Edison and Celley's Pub in Lynn Ma, Newmans in Billerica, Marty L LOunge in Salisbury and the Boston Hill Farm in North Andover.
I recorded my first cover album in October 1991 "Ray Fredricks Traditional Country Music" which was re-mastered to CD in 2001. In September 1994 I recieved a Silver Certificate from M.C.M.A.A. for "Gone Home to Mama" from that album. In September 2005 I recorded my second CD " Ray Fredricks My Kind of Country". In August 2007 I recored my third CD "Ray Fredricks for Ever and Ever". In June 2010 my fiddle player and I released a fourth CD "Curly King and Ray Fredricks".
Music has always been a learning process throughtout my life, I have been influenced by many of the great country artist. I feel I should mention some of them that have had such an impact. My favorite lead guitar players were Don Rich for the "twang" sound on his Fender Telecaster and Roy Nichols who played with Merle Haggard. I also learned much of my work on the pedal steel guitar by following Ralph Mooney who played with Waylon Jennings. Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and many others. I have always loved the West Coast Country sound that started out in Long Beach in the 1950's and then went to Bakersfield.
I have now been playing and singing the great country classics for over 40 years and I will continue to promote this American musical heritage as long as I'm alive.
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