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Artist
Frederick
12+ albums
Houseelectronicdeep housesouldeep
about
Prior to the Dazz Band, Levert, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's chart assaults, Frederick's "Gentle (Calling Your Name)" held the distinction of being the most popular R&B/soul recording ever cut in the northeast Ohio area, reaching number 40 on the pop charts in 1985. Cleveland natives Edwin Starr, Bobby Womack, the Hesitations, and the O'Jays recorded bigger hits, but in other places. Frederick cut his recordings in a tiny, homemade studio called Time Traxx, located on 23rd and Superior in the downtown Cleveland area. Frederick Millard Davis was born on April 7, 1957, in Cleveland, OH; he's the fifth of eight siblings, is divorced, and has two daughters: Monica and Dana. Growing up, his singing inspirations were Al Jarreau, Donny Hathaway, George Benson, and Bobby Caldwell. While attending John Hay High School, he joined the Soul Reactions, a popular local band that disbanded when Frederick enlisted in the Navy. His hobbies consisted of football, basketball, music, videos, and boxing. As a lightweight, Frederick boxed in the local Golden Gloves in 1975, held in Cleveland's old Navy Park. He enlisted in the service shortly thereafter and continued boxing in the Navy, training in 1976 with the Navy Olympic Boxing Team. He resurrected his singing career upon discharge and became a regular at gong and talent shows held at the Sir Rah House and the Native Son Lounge, winning first prize many times. A witness to Frederick's talent recommended him to Le Ray Ruffin, a fledging recor
