Freddy Powers

Larry King · Post by **Larry King** » 21 Jun 2016 5:26 pm

Just a note to say that Facebook has posted the passing of this incredible man RIP Freddy

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 21 Jun 2016 6:13 pm

So sorry to hear this...Freddey was quite a musician and entertainer. He and Merle Haggard wrote some mighty good music. May he rest in peace.

Billy Easton

Dale Bennett · Post by **Dale Bennett** » 21 Jun 2016 8:14 pm

I've always know who Freddie was but I never heard him sing that much, now I feel so sad that I've missed out on him. I've been listening to him on U-tube and gosh he can sing, I think, I love listening to him. I feel I've been cheated, he should have been put out front more, either that or I need to start paying attention to what's going on. RIP my man. db

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 21 Jun 2016 8:36 pm

Freddy or Freddie has been battling Parkinson's for about a dozen years but I couldn't find anything in Facebook or elsewhere to substantiate that he has passed - are you sure about this?

Ted Smouse · Post by **Ted Smouse** » 21 Jun 2016 11:33 pm

Freddy has been very ill. While there are numerous Facebook postings about this, I could not find one credible news source that has printed anything such as this about Freddy.

Dale Bennett · Post by **Dale Bennett** » 22 Jun 2016 12:52 pm

Thanks guys, I think I saw it on u-tube or fb, but like u guys I haven't seen anything else about it yet. I knew he was a good writer but gosh, I love his singing. Anyway, I'm sure if it's true someone will post it. Thanks again guys. db

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 22 Jun 2016 1:12 pm

http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi_mourn ... ddy_powers

http://music.blog.austin360.com/2016/06 ... ies-at-84/

Sad to say,,,,it's true,,,,we've lost another VERY talented man!

Price Porter · Post by **Price Porter** » 22 Jun 2016 1:16 pm

Freddy Powers,musician and songwriter extraordinar, died yesterday;june21 2016. Rest in peace freddy,I will always keep your spirit alive

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 22 Jun 2016 1:50 pm

Dale:

You should give a listen to his versions of "Nagasaki" and "Sheik Of Araby". I don't know if they are on Youtube. He recorded "Nagasaki" a couple of times---I think the second version had Clint Strong on guitar.

Here's a pic from 1955, with Paul Buskirk.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 23 Jun 2016 6:17 am

Could Buskirk actually walk in those boots (from the days when guys were having crepe soles put on their boots,,,,LOL)

Duane Brown · Post by **Duane Brown** » 25 Jun 2016 9:08 pm

I'm so sad to hear of Freddy's passing. We became friends when he and I both worked in Reno in the early '80's.Freddy was an amazing rhythm guitarist and must have sung 1000 songs. He had a sit down job at the Eldorado Casino and had a killer band. I would watch him every chance I got.

My dear friend Ernie Hager played steel for Freddy when he went on the road in'83 or '84. The music was jazz, bebop and swing and Ernie said Freddy would sing the same song in different keys every night. His vocal range and chord knowledge were incredible. Ernie heard Clint Strong at a little club in Dallas, took Freddy to hear him, Freddy called Merle and Merle hired Clint.

I lost touch with Freddy when he moved away but we started emailing when Facebook came around. He was planning to come visit in Reno and we both looked forward to getting together again. Unfortunately he got too ill to travel so we missed that chance.

Freddy was probably best known for writing hits for Haggard, Jones and his appearances with Merle and Willie but he was a monster way before that.

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 27 Jun 2016 11:12 pm

Duane, The last time I saw Freddie was at Harvey's in Lake Tahoe on stage with Merle. Ernie had been playing for Merle so I got to visit with Ernie for a few on his break. I never knew Freddie, but as you said he was a killer musician. Good to see you here. Take care.

Dale Bennett · Post by **Dale Bennett** » 28 Jun 2016 12:24 pm

I got to go see Merle April 3rd here okc. A friend got us front row seats, gosh, what a show and never heard him sound any better. Freddy wasn't with him so I guess that's when he had to quit. Gosh I'm so sorry I missed what he had to offer but thank God for U-Tube I can pull him up anytime I want. There's two more friends I had that worked with Merle that are gone now. Gordon Terry, worked with him in Ca and Jimmy Belkens, worked with him with Ray Price, and he's still here thank God Biff Adams knew and worked some with him in Ca. Sorry guys, didn't mean to write a book. I'm getting old now and have a lot of memories and I enjoy all of u guys so much and I am a big, big fan of steel guitar. I have a guy here in Okc that I get to work with when I can, Kenny Collins, another one of my favorite steel pickers. Later, guys

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 28 Jun 2016 1:15 pm

Dale, you didn't see Merle on April 3rd this year - he passed away on the 6th. Must have been earlier. I saw his third to last show of his life here in Northern Calif. in February.

Freddy hadn't been with Merle for years. I was lucky enough one time to see him with the Hag at the Silverthorn Lodge on Lake Shasta in the '80s, when Merle owned the place. Apparently Freddy was a partner in that venture? Not sure, but it sounds like it from the quote below. A boat owning buddy of mine lived near there and I went up to his place for a couple days of bass & trout fishing on Shasta, and he was a big Hag fan. For some reason he had a pretty good handle on potential times when Merle would play the occasional set at the Silverthorn and we hit the jackpot that evening. All for the price of a couple beers!

Quote below by Merle from an article in the Austin Chronicle in 2008. Freddy already had quit the road prior to that in his battle with Parkinson's Disease.

"I love ol' Freddy," offers Haggard on his tour bus after the show, a long black pipe held in his left hand and eyes warm in fond recollection. "Freddy's just a lovable man. Anybody that don't like Freddy Powers, I put 'em under immediate suspicion.

"When he was at his peak, he was the most energetic individual. Anytime either of us would mention anything that we wanted to do â€“ hell, build an airplane or play music â€“ we did it. We bought a nightclub; we built houseboats. We wrote number one songs. We accomplished a lot of things. Freddy and I share some gorgeous memories."

Dale Bennett · Post by **Dale Bennett** » 28 Jun 2016 3:58 pm

Mark, you are correct. I got the date off my tickets but forgot to put the year which 2015, but that's ok Mark, I'm just getting old. I don't know how long Freddy and been with Merle, I just know I have seen him on tv and such with him for yrs. I thought maybe he was just sitting in or something. Now u see why I enjoy u guys. Thanks. db

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 29 Jun 2016 4:43 am

He was a good friend of the Hag's and great songwriter.

Steve Allison · Post by **Steve Allison** » 29 Jun 2016 10:50 am

Mitch, Great picture of Freddie and Paul! I'm thinking it may be a few years later as Fender came out with rosewood fretboards I believe in 1959. It was just the first thing that caught my eye.

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 29 Jul 2016 2:30 pm

Freddy Powers played around Fargo, ND must be 20 years ago. Steeler/clarinetist Mars Case worked with him. Tremendous talent. Sad to hear of his passing.

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Freddy Powers

Freddy Powers

Freddie Powers

Freddy Powers

my dear friend, Freddy powers has died

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Freddy Powers

Dale Bennett