by Sean McManus
Staff Writer
When it comes to music, Judge Peter Fryefield says he taught his brother Rick “everything he knows.”
And Rick, who has made a career in the music industry, agrees.
“I have to give him credit,” said Rick Fryefield, “my older brother got me into music.”
Fryefield started his career in music when he was “discovered” in the bleachers at a rodeo in Kissimmee, playing the snare drums every time a guy fell off a horse. Now, he has what he thinks is the longest running music show on cable access, “The Kosher Kowboy,” which he took over from Jimmy Strickland in 1979, the same year Fryefield sang at the Grand Old Opry and on “Hee Haw” at the request of Barbara Mandrell.
Fryefield says the mission of the show is to promote traditional country talent in Jacksonville. He’s had musicians like Charlie Pride, George Jones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd on the show to prove it.
“I know Skynyrd’s not traditional country,” said Fryefield. “But come on, it’s Skynyrd.”
But there’s really nothing traditional about Fryefield. He wanted to call himself the “Hebrew Hillbilly” if it wasn’t for potentially uncomfortable run-ins with his rabbi. And he sings anything from The Beatles to Frank Sinatra. In fact, Fryefield just recorded a new Sinatra CD that incorporates symphonies and a duet with a famous musician.
“Sinatra’s the master. Because when you hear it, you know it’s him,” said Fryefield, who once met Sinatra when he played at the Coliseum. He had a backstage pass.
Fryefield produces all of his own records and those of his clients; he has about 10 so far. When Fryefield hears a song it likes, he meets with the musicians. Then Fryefield’s company, Kosher Kowboy Productions, goes into pre-production. There, they usually add instruments —Fryefield thinks twin fiddles and steel guitars are nice — while making notes about what they want to change. Then they take the tape to Nashville, where they do the recording. The whole process takes about two days and costs about $3,000.
Fryefield credits his production savvy to the late Ernest Tubbs, the Nashville music producer who told Fryefield to send his songs overseas.
“Country is very popular in Europe,” Fryefield said. “It’s easier for country artists to get airplay in Europe than in the States.”
That’s why when Fryefield made his first album in 1978, he sent it to his distributor in Switzerland, who in turn sent the songs all over Europe. He receives small checks in the mail every time a song is played. Fryefield made his second album in 1995, a “mix of traditional country with Dean Martin and Sinatra.”
Fryefield’s band is called Swingshift. He’s the singer, but he also plays the guitar, banjo, pedal-steel guitar and bass. And they play gigs all over Florida and Georgia. They also play at the “Animal Clubs,” the Moose Lodge and the Elks Club.
“Jacksonville definitely needs a better venue for country music,” said Fryefield. “We want to play in bars where people come to hear the music, not line dance.”
Fryefield says his dream gig is doing “Sinatra with an orchestra.”
Though he’s been successful in music industry, he does have a day job.
Fryefield was singing at a Moose Lodge one night when his friend Charlie Meacham walked up and said, “You look like someone who needs a job.”
Fryefield’s been a process server ever since.
“People blame you for the fact that they’re getting sued,” he said. “Of course the only real problem I ever had was when a 70-year-old man hit me with a baseball bat.”
Fryefield intends to remain in Jacksonville, calling Nashville “the rat race.” His most recent production venture was for a local country singer named J.C. Hunnicutt, who recorded the disc as a gift for his sister.
He says because his brother plays bluegrass and he’s still a mix between traditional country, classic rock and a special blend of music that can only be described as Kosher Kowboy-style, they don’t jam much.
“Maybe one day,” he said. “Now I’ve got to go deliver a summons.”