Fred Clark is a Irish German American singer/songwriter/performer from Collinsville, Illinois (St. Louis Missouri metropolitan area). Fred has performed live on stage as a member of the bands E.V., The Rockouts, The Rockin' Hollytones, Modern Image, and The Young Conservatives. Although E.V. performed on local television and radio, The Rockouts were probably the most influential of these bands, sharing the stage with such artists as Joe Camel, The Primitives (later Uncle Tupelo), Langrehr, Corporate Humour, and The (U.S.) Newsboys. Fred was also a guest member of Hotel Faux Pas, during which time a highlight was opening for They Might Be Giants. His solo career began in the early 90's. A video performance of the song "Just Another Day" inspired independent film director Kelly Laster to use the song in his film, "Manifest of the Heart". Fred was also hired on as an assistant director and musical coordinator for the film, as well as having a small speaking role. This was in 1996. A week after completing the film, Fred went into the studio with producer Don Bailey and musicians Gary Austin, Bill McKean, Stephen Koritta, and Patti Clark to record the 12 song CD "Just Another Day". The album was released in January 1997. The studio band also performed live on stage with Fred as well as on local television and radio shows. From 1997-99 the CD received some airplay on radio in the US and Belgium. During this time period, three of Fred's songs were selected to be aired in the History Channel Special, "Highway Hangouts". Although mentioned in the final credits, the songs were not included in the final production of the show. A live 1999 performance filmed for the 2002 PBS special "The Mainstream" was also cut from final production.In 1999, Fred scaled back to a duo format with Stephen Koritta for live performances. In October of 1999 Fred and Stephen went into the studio with producer Jim Callahan, Hotel Faux Pas members Larry O'Neal, Karl Dodson, and Brian McClelland, as well as Patti Clark and Vitamen A drummer Mike Garrett to record the 13 song CD "Living In Dakin's Neighborhood". Despite Fred suffering from recurring bouts with asthma during the recording process, the album was completed in March 2000 and released in May to much critical acclaim. Soon after Fred relocated to South Louisiana and by the end of the year the "Dakin" CD (named after Fred's friend Dakin Williams, younger brother of the late great playwrite, Tennessee Williams) had received airplay in at least 18 different countries. During the spring of 2001, the song "Roll River On" was released to U.S. radio, and hit the charts based on airplay in small market stations. "Roll River On" peaked at #33 on the NME chart and #77 on the FMQB chart. Other highlights during this time included radio interviews with stations in the U. S. and The Netherlands, as well as a live performance on the Louisiana Jukebox television show. In addition to his musical endeavors, Fred has appeared as an extra in 15 films and television shows in Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Chicago. Fred currently lives with his family in Houma, Louisiana, and is promoting the instrumental track "Loose Cannon" to film, sports teams, talk radio shows, and the like. Fred also pursues entrepreneurial business activities, is a rosary praying Catholic activist (Pope John Paul II is his hero), enjoys watching professional sports (he was an honorary St. Louis Cardinals batboy for a day as a 12 year old) studies the French and Spanish languages, works on his family genealogy, is a voracious reader, and hangs out with his wife and children. Fred encourages all his fans and anyone interested in licensing his music to contact him at fwclark@bellsouth.net
