Fred was born in 1966 in Metz, France . He started playing drums he was 12 years old until 1981... Then, at the tender age of 15, he started playing guitar. "EUREKA" - the revelation! Immediately, he felt the call of the blues and along the years, found himself accompanying the likes of: Don Ray Johnson, Boney Fields, Audrey Madison, Tom Principato, Neal Black and many other "blues" giants (in Fred's eyes). In his search for more creative freedom, he formed his own band, "The Fred Chapellier Blues Band" with Pat Machenaud on drums, Abder Benachour on bass & Damien Cornelis on keyboards, and they recorded two albums for MOSAIC RECORDS - "Blues Devil" (2003) and "l'Oeil du Blues" (2005) ! In 2004, Fred was acclaimed "Best New Blues Artist of The Year" and "Best Guitar Player of The Year" by "Les Trophées France Blues" ... In January 2007 Fred called upon his friend - producer, arranger, composer & keyboard Maestro Jean Alain Roussel, with whom he had struck up a solid friendship while playing on different albums to produce his "tribute to Roy Buchanan" album. Jean had produced Buchanan's "you're not alone" album in 1976- Fred's main "guitar hero/reference"...Terms agreed, and songs chosen, Fred proceeded to record & engineer the basic tracks at his "Blue house Studio" in Châlons en Champagne, calling upon several long-time friends & guests, including Tom Principato, Billy Price, Neal Black, Miguel M, as well as members of Fred's own "Blues Band", to perform, with Jean assuming the "Producer" role (Jean had produced & composed for Roy Buchanan, & recorded with Cat Stevens, Bob Marley, The Police, 10cc & Thin Lizzy etc)... Then, off Fred went to Jean's "Shakti Studios" near Paris to complete the production under the guidance of Jean behind the recording console. ... The finished product was immediately picked up for France, by "DIXIEFROG RECORDS"... The album, "Fred Chapellier & friends - A Tribute to Roy Buchanan" is available now everywhere in Europe and also on I Tunes. Fred and Billy Price who sang with Roy Buchanan from 1972 to 1975 (www.billyprice.com) became good friends and, after two years of hard work, Fred's new album with his friend Billy Price "Night Work" will be out in march 2009 on DIXIEFROG RECORDS again. You wanna know what the blues is all about? Then - go to see Fred on stage! You WILL be AMAZED ! ! !.....
Read more...