dwayne Fredricks, (Fredric D’Wayne Mack), the southern born singer, songwriter, arranger and musician discoveremusic at a very early age. Even before he began kindergarten, dwayne’s family was astonished at how he was able to create organized musical patterns and capture familiar tunes that he’d only briefly heard on piano. This astonishment provoked his parents to enroll him in piano lessons given at his local elementary school. dwayne began growing up with the traditional doctrines of the Methodist church, where he exclusively heard hymns and chants, but by middle school, he was playing piano, directing, writing, teaching, and arranging a variety of musical selections for his church choir. By the time he resigned to attend college, he had transformed a practically untrained unison ensemble to a harmonic group of singers that captivated his entire community and local gospel radio listeners. Even though dF spent a majority of his time playing and listening to gospel, he was also captivated by the energy and emotion expressed through other forms of music. dF’s musical ear and background teaching vocal parts had always enabled him to sing, but it wasn’t until after he began imitating Rock & Roll, R&B, and Classic Soul artists that he really became passionate about singing. dF then discovered, not only could he sing, but HE HAD SOUL!
While pursuing an Industrial Management and music minor degree from Jacksonville State University, the Alabamian performed with numerous choral and music ensembles. By his junior year in college, dwayne had grown weary of school and pessimistic of his chances of happiness in the corporate world. His lack of other opportunity and family’s high expectations prevented the thought of dropping out of college so he began writing songs that removed him from the dissonance he felt at that time. dF found refuge in strumming an old classical guitar that a friend had given him. He then used this new acoustic escape as a tool to aid in his songwriting.
By spring 2006 dwayne Fredricks had written enough material to make him realize that he was finally on the right path to his destiny. Even though most of these songs were centered around affairs of the heart, relationships and love, they were not just love songs about the physical, mental and spiritual union between lovers; they were revelations that sprouted from the depths of his soul. Being deeply grounded in the Christian faith and spirituality, dF had an epiphany that this music could soothe, massage, and penetrate hearts and souls of others the same way it had him.
dF’s Love, Soul, Rhythms and Blues create positive energy that is therapeutic. The self proclaimed “Soul Masseur” is encouraged that “Love really does heal all. God is love, therefore, love must heal by default. Positive energy is created simply by focusing on the positive.”
Reflecting life long lessons, Love, Soul, Rhythms & Blues is a collection of volumes that include his EP, “The Invitation”, his sophomore album, “The Foundation”, followed by, “Elevation” and closing with an untitled album. This is where dF’s first chapter end and the next will begin.,
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Expressive, progressive, soulful, melodic....all describes dwayne Fredricks' music. He delivers a youthful, colorful sound with seasoned undertones and the three and a half octave range allows dwayne to brilliantly vocalize his way through the depths of the music. His first release is a near genius. dF writes a diverse repertoire, and handles various works all the way from the juke joint to the church house. dF’s influences extend far beyond soul, blues, jazz, gospel, rock, funk and alternative artists like India Arie, Carl Thomas, Jill Scott, Daryl Coley, Kim Burrell, Prince, Cee-lo Green, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai, Outkast, J-Moss, Incubus, John Mayer, Madeline Peyroux, Bob Marley, B.B. King, James Brown, Thelonious Monk, Michael Jackson, Donnie from “The Colored Section” and many other mainstreams, underground and independent artists. |
