Opus 5 by Frazier Riddell

ARTWORK BY: EVAN RIDDELL (age 7)

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LOOK FOR RIDDELL'S NEWEST RELEASE ON CD BABY IN MID 2006! OPUS 9 OF WHICH TITLE HAS YET TO BE CHOSEN.

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Frazier Riddell was born in Canton Mississippi, in the 1960's, the son of a strong willed cotton farmer & loving Christian mother. He shared a love for music that was shared along with his family. "My first music learned was on my grandfathers piano" says Riddell. "My brother Charles and sister Diane taught me Chopsticks, Heart and Soul, and another tune. All three songs were duets and we played them over and over till improvisation sprung up to avoid boredom! Looking back I realize I first learned about improvisation at age 5."

Frazier took another step in his music when he took up saxophone in the 6th grade. He played alto and tenor sax throughout High School. During these years Frazier's other brother Robert casually taught him some chords on the guitar. "I learned to play 'dueling banjos' and the few chords my brother taught me, really well. I never really took the time to learn much more until I was 20 years old" says Riddell. "I wasn't playing sax (yet) at college, but still loved music, and began to dive into guitar more and more."

Another big happening must be mentioned according to Riddell. "I had a born again experience in 1981. I ain't trying to brag and I ain't trying to preach (although I do sometimes in my songs) but this changed the course of my life! After my experience with the Father, Son & Holy Ghost, I realized I wanted to use my life pursuing something I loved. I asked my parents if I could change my major to Music. I was prepared for a no, but I got a YES!" It was at this time that Riddell began writing songs.

Riddell can name many important musical influences. The Beatles, The Monkeys, The Partridge Family, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Maynard Ferguson, Chicago, Bruce Springsteen, Randy Stonehill, Larry Norman, Ry Cooder, Steve Forbert, Tom Petty, Skynard, Neil Young, BTO, Pink Floyd, Steppenwolf, Styx, Boston, Yes, The Police, America, 10cc, John Mellancamp, and the list goes on and on...... "My strongest musical influences from the early years are the 3 B's: The Beatles, David Bowie, & Bruce Springsteen" says Riddell.

Since then, many people, places & jobs, have come and gone. Riddell is now married to wife Susan and they have a son, Evan. "We wanted our son to grow up around Grandmamma, Grandaddy, Aunts, Uncles, 1st cousins, etc...." says Riddell. "So, in 1995 we moved to my hometown in Mississippi. These last 10 years have helped me renew my love for music & hopefully they've made me a better writer. It's not easy, and I don't always enjoy it, but I'm beginning to see past the trees so to envision the whole forest."

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