Fredpink

"FreddyPink Started on Bainbridge Island Washington 43 years ago.  At that time we performed Rock, and Blues based material, slowly morphing into more sophisticated Soul Music, where we would create our own genre "ROCK & SOUL".   The band  secured a six night a week job in Poulsbo Washington where we would woodshed for a little over a year, tightening the show for our BIG BREAK into Seattle, which came in the form of an opening act for Sly Stone.  

From that point on the band was "in" so to speak.  We found a home in those early days performing on what was referred to by local bands as Seattle's "Wheat Germ Circuit" which included The Rainbow Tavern, The G Note,  Mr. Bills, as well the clubs in Seattle's Pioneer Square, to include The Merchants Cafe, The Central Tavern, The J&M, Larry's Greenfront,  Michael J's, and a club that would become our home base, Doc Maynard’s.

In the years following we were being hired  to play civic events, festivals, and we had taken a step up to performing for Seattle's dance club scene to include   clubs like Pier 70, The Medieval  Cellar, and Saratoga Trunk.  Although the band was  received  very well, our stint into that circuit was  relatively short, as we were not a Top 40 act.  FreddyPink played what we wanted to play, and the crowds in those clubs at that time loved what was perceived as the band's unique feel, however we did not fit the cookie cutter mold created by the no longer in business "William Stephan Agency” who controlled literally all of those nicer rooms at that time.  

As much fun as the "Wheat Germ Circuit"  had been, it was really nice to perform in those nice clean clubs that actually had built in sound, and lights, and designated dressing rooms.  We had arrived! There would be no more changing into our stage clothing in a men's room stall for us....no siree! .......Uh huh.

For that short time, the band got a taste of the "good life",  but only before falling out with the Stephan Agency for what we felt were mafioso like tactics, for example; forcing bands to sign exclusive contracts. That wouldve been okay if the agency was actually working for us,  promoting the band, but they didn't.  In fact, they did nothing, and signing an exclusive with Stephan would've meant that anywhere we performed, the agency would've taken a hefty cut for doing nothing. 

And so, the band was relegated back to it's humble beginnings performing on the Wheat Germ Circuit, and once again, instead of a regular paycheck we'd be playing for the door again.  But of  course all the beer we could drink.  I mean…there were perks! 

In retrospect; the crowds were really better on the Weat Germ, and the band was better for it.  The people who frequented those clubs were self proclaimed musicologists, and they came to listen.  Because of that shift in our audience the material we chose was, in our opinion, more artistic, and would set us in the direction for creating original material.   The Irony;  while it took a bit more promotion on our part, the pay actually worked out to be better in those old clubs.  

With all of this said…as much as I enjoy writing about my career with the Pink, and there is lots to tell, I am in the middle of making this website  ready for our summer tour.  As soon as the site is functional I will resume, but for now you'll have to wait for the rest of this novel.  Please stay tuned.