The Many Roads Traveled!

Dr. Charlie Frederick

From the hills of West Virginia to Iowa, Minnesota, California and Tennessee...just to name a few states, Charlie Frederick has traveled many roads and met many people in his time.

Born in abject poverty in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, Charlie grew up experiencing "tough times" in the Appalachian mountains. Many lessons about life were learned in these hills including a tremendous desire to overcome the obstacles of poverty.

Influenced by parents, teachers, coaches and friends...Charlie would strive to make a mark in sports, music and education. 

Given a guitar at twelve years of age by his mother triggered a love of music of all kinds. Writing his first songs in those early years would provide a great incentive and love for music.  Early songs focused upon people, places, things and events of the time. Charlie wrote his first song at the age of twelve years! 

The positive influences of athletic coaches and teachers kept Charlie in school and participating in track and field, football and baseball...Charlie would experience significant success in sports. Upon completion of high school, Charlie would go on to attend Shepherd College, in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, and play football and participate in track and field.

During those college years, Charlie continued to be involved in music and performances. Charlie would travel many more roads in the years to follow! After completing college, Charlie went on to coach football in Front Royal, Virginia and later in Hagerstown, Maryland. A National Science Foundation Scholarship would allow Charlie to enter a graduate program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Upon completing a Masters Degree in Science Education, Charlie went back to teaching high school biology and coaching football at North Hagerstown High School in Hagerstown, Maryland.

After several years in Hagerstown, Charlie was admitted to a doctoral program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.  Working closely with leaders in the field of science education...Dr. Robert E. Yager..to name one, was a great experience for Charlie.  Serving as an instructor and the Administrative Assistant to Yager, Charlie would write many articles and grants for the Science Education Center at the university. 

Upon completion of the Ph.D, Charlie went on to assume a teaching position at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Charlie would head up the Drug Education Center while serving as an Assistant Professor at the university.

The love of music continued in the northland! The cold Minnesota winters provided an environment conducive to writing and Charlie would write numerous songs during these years.  "There's a Pill for Everything", "Hating Game", "Big Pipeline", "Twenty-Nine More Men", "Battle of Antietam" were but a few of the songs written and recorded by Charlie during this period. Many of these songs played nationally! 

Moving on to California State University, Los Angeles would further the music career of Charlie.  Performing in the Los Angeles area and at very famous venues.."The Palomino Club", "Variety Arts Theatre", "Brandelli's Brig", "The Town House", "The Mayfair Theatre" ..to name a few...would bring Charlie into contact with many artists, writers, musicians and performers.

During this period of time, Charlie continued working as a counselor/trainer and met many people in the entertainment industry. These people came from all walks of life. 

Charlie worked closely with the likes of Pete Anderson, guitarist and producer for Dwight Yoakam and actor John Agar,first husband of Shirley Temple. Agar and Charlie teamed in many music events in the Los Angeles area in the mid 80's. John Agar is now considered a sci-fi legend of the movies. Let it be said that the life of Charlie Frederick has been interesting to say the least.

Charlie Frederick's work in music has been written about in many books.

  Dr. Ivan Tribe wrote about Charlie when Tribe wrote his book about Musicians in West Virginia.  In addition, a new book written by Elle Andre-Warner of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada is due out in early November, 2006. 

A NEW RELEASE OF THAT BOOK HAS BEEN RELEASED IN DECEMBER 2009

 The lyrics to the song "Twenty-Nine More Men"...a song about the Edmund Fitzgerald, are found in the prologue of this book.