Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter from Little Rock, Arkansas, who began playing trumpet at five years of age. He cobbled together his own drum sets with pans and pots and played along with Dixieland recordings. His parents bought him an official kit when he was about ten years old. Elvis burst onto the scene, and Fred was inspired to add guitar to his arsenal of instruments, which also includes the mandolin. His early music experience was eclectic: he performed on trumpet in the school band, drums in jazz ensembles and guitar in rock bands.
He met songwriter Jimmy Webb in Hawaii and that led to his relocation to Los Angeles in the late sixties. In 1972, he hooked up with the band Little Feat and started penning songs for them and playing on their recordings, including Dixie Chicken.
Bob Dylan hired him to tour with his band in 1979 in support of the album, Slow Train Coming, which included an appearance on Saturday Night Live. Around the same time, he co-wrote some material with Little Feat member Lowell George for his solo album, Thanks, I’ll Eat it Here, and for Little Feat’s Down on the Farm. Lowell passed away shortly thereafter.
Fred officially became a member of the band in 1987 in time for their 1988 album, Let it Roll. This new incarnation of the group comprised Paul Barrere, Sam Clayton, Craig Fuller, Kenny Gradney, Richie Hayward, Bill Payne and Fred.
In 2003, Fred got a chance at lead vocals on his composition, “In a Town Like This”, for the Little Feat album, Kickin’ it at the Barn. It was the title track of his debut solo album which hit the shelves during the same year.
He started a new project titled Silver Strings with bassist Domenic Genova in 2010. In addition, he has continued to collaborate with Little Feat guitarist Paul Barrere as a duo simply called Paul and Fred.
Fred’s discography is staggering, and this is but a snapshot: Across the Borderline by Willie Nelson; Bringing Down the Horse by The Wallflowers; Christmas with You by Clint Black; Dreams by The Allman Brothers Band; The Edge of the World by Billy Bob Thornton; Fade into Light by Boz Scaggs; Gravity is Light Today by Roger Bobo; Heart of the Matter by Kenny Rogers; Inspirational Journey by Randy Travis; Jump! by Van Dyke Parks; Love is the Place by Curtis Mayfield; Made in America by the Carpenters; No Woman No Cry by Joan Baez; Orange Crate Art by Brian Wilson; Pictures & Rhymes by Jim Weatherly; Quiet Lies by Juice Newton; Rooster Rag by Little Feat; Sights & Sounds with Paul Barrere; Time by Fleetwood Mac; The Unimaginable Life by Kenny Loggins; The Voice by Chris Farlowe; We Ran by Linda Ronstadt; and, You’re Only Lonely by J.D. Souther.
Glen Campbell recordings
Southern Nights (Allen Toussaint)
Capitol 4376 S93475A
Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Tackett
- http://highlineballroom.com/show/2012/03/31/paul-barrere-fred-tackett/
- http://www.iamnotjerry.com/2010/11/11/fred-tackett-interview/
- http://www.jambands.com/features/2005/08/09/used-with-fred-tackett#.UgpgBX_iQ1I
- http://www.philzone.com/interviews/little_feat/
- http://www.citywinery.com/newyork/paul-barrere-fred-tackett-of-little-feat-acoustic-8-1.html
- http://www.paulandfred.net/
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/fred-tackett-mn0000856889/credits
- http://www.discogs.com/artist/Fred+Tackett