There's Music in his Eyes…
The Freddie Everett Story
Written by Brandell Flores
Freelance Writer Fre
At the tender age of five Freddie Everett fell in love with
music. Thanks to a family friend, Sister Gay and his mother and father, Tennessee
and Lee Everett, Freddie took up the piano and learned to read music and it
wasn't long before he was playing for the congregation at Church. It's a love
affair that would span his life and shape the man into who he is today. When
he was only fourteen Freddie was playing the Old Opry House on Richmond and
when he had collected $100 in the hat on the stage in front of him, Freddie
said to himself, "Hey, I just got a new job!" "Money was so
hard to come by back then and my parents worked so hard to care for our family."
The guitar found a home in Freddie's capable hands and he went on to open
for the likes of ZZ Top, Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar, Ted Nugent and Stevie
Ray Vaughn's band, Double Trouble, to name a few. Sony Records had just signed
Freddie when Lou Gehrig's disease took the use of his hands. Freddie was destined
for great things. Regardless of whether or not the world got to hear his music,
he was certainly a world-class musician, adored by his fans. Freddie was and
will always be a superstar to those who enjoy his music. Who is Freddie Everett?
He is music personified. If you love music then you love Freddie because even
now when the only muscles he can control are his eyes, he's still making music…yes,
with his eyes. Music comes out of the man's eyes. He's lost the ability to
play the guitar, and he can no longer sing but he can still control his eye
muscles and thanks to technology, Freddie just got a computer that will allow
him to record music using his pupils. "It has to get out somehow"
Freddie says.
Freddie took me back through the years; the years before Lou Gehrig's disease stole his independence…but he wouldn't put it that way, no. Freddie would say something really positive like "having ALS has been a blessing in so many ways…I've gained so much through this experience." And it's true. Freddie has always been a spiritual man but this fight has really strengthened him spiritually and Freddie knows that God is using him. He is an instrument, an instrument of God. "We are supposed to learn from this" Freddie said. "We're supposed to truly believe and have faith." "That's what all this is about, your faith." "How strong are you?" "How much can you endure?" "I am a witness to that and am living it every second of every day." See, Freddie believes in miracles….Freddie believes in prayer and he wants us to pray for him. "Through the darkest hours, Jesus is holding our hand, walking right beside us" this is what Freddie wants us to know.
I asked Freddie what it feels like to be so loved by so many people and his
eyes filled with tears…"It's what keeps me going...it gives me strength."
"I can't believe that so many people still remember me and love me".
It was clear that he was truly humbled by this…he does know he's loved
and he is overwhelmed by that fact. Freddie said, "and there are so many
people that I love". Freddie is a family man and he has a wonderful family
that has supported him through his career and this nightmare for the past
6 years. Annette, Freddie's wife, is a tower of strength…when Freddie
speaks of her, tears fill his eyes "you have to give it up to Annette."
"I just want to thank her for everything she's done for me, and what
she's done for our family." "I love her so much." There are
so many people that Freddie wanted to mention, his kids, Jessie "the
best guitar player I ever saw" he says, and "Cheyenne (his daughter
and accomplished drummer). "Anna, Samantha, Trey, Alicia and Brittany
and Beebee", you could see the obvious love and pride in his eyes. "Dangerous
Dave Benchley…one of my closest friends", "Ms. Frieda Scott,
my dear friend who helps take care of me"…she starts each day in
prayer with Freddie. "Reverend Castleberry and the Lamas family, Michelle
and Uncle Tony, Keith.…thank you all for visiting me and helping keep
my spirits up." "Thank you for not letting the walls close in."
Freddie is thinking, going through a lifetime of people in his mind trying
hard not to forget anyone…"Steve Riley, the best drummer in the
world, next to Cheyenne". "Morris Stanley, a dear friend that has
MS…I love that guy". "Eric Dockery, my bass player who stuck
by my side through all of this." "Thank you to Stevie Ray's band,
Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton, Sam Taylor and Ed Fair, some of the best recordings
I ever made were with you guys".
Through the years, Freddie Everett has played benefits, large and small to help anyone in need. Now Freddie needs our help, love and prayers.
There is a benefit for Freddie On April 19th and 20th here in Houston. On Saturday, April 19th the benefit for Freddie Everett will be held at the Firehouse Saloon located at 5930 S.W. Freeway and will begin at 11am and end at 2:00 am. On Sunday, April 20th, the benefit will be held at The Concert Pub located at 5636 Richmond Avenue and will go from 11 am to 8 pm and tickets are $15 if you purchase them in advance through the website www.officialfreddieeverett.com or $20 at the door. There will be an auction, food and activities so come early and stay late. Monetary donations can be made at any Washington Mutual Bank (Freddie Everett Rock 4 a Cure Fund).
Freddie was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), a cruel, painful, debilitating and usually fatal disease in 2003. People affected by ALS ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement except of the eyes. Even in the light of such a horrible illness, Freddie remains positive and is expecting a miracle. When you look into his eyes, you see the same old Freddie, loving life and people and spiritually, stronger than ever. Freddie is confined to a wheelchair and has trouble getting around. One of the goals of this benefit is to provide Freddie with a special van, equipped for a wheelchair and a special, craftmatic bed so that Freddie can enjoy a better quality of life.
Victims of Lou Gehrig's disease are usually given 3-5 years and Freddie has made it 6 years. Now is the time to come and show your love and support. Freddie will be at the benefit to soak up all the love.
Freddie has a new CD that will be available at the benefit called "Fire of Faith" and he hope that everyone enjoys it…"I gave 100% to it." "It was a labor of love." It's some of Freddie's best stuff. Be sure to pick up a copy at the benefit. Now that he has his eye-tracking computer it's a whole new world for Freddie. He's learning a whole new way of making music, "I feel like I'm starting all over again". Freddie is excited about creating music in a new and different way.
"Thank you to all the people involved with this benefit." "Joy, DangerousDave Watkins and Midnight Habit and everyone else involved." "Thank you to my friends and fans for showing up." "It means so much to me and my family that everyone would do this for me" and again, tears filled his eyes. "I get choked up thinking about that" Freddie said.
The entire time I interviewed Freddie he was joking around…making his new computer say funny things and making me laugh…him…making me laugh. That's who Freddie is. Freddie is the guy who always remembers your name, no matter how long it's been…he makes everyone around him a better person for just knowing him. Freddie Everett is an inspiration to all those who know and love him.
I asked Freddie "If you had one wish, what would it be?" To which he replied "I just wish the whole world could get along." "I'm upset with the war and that so many people are getting killed. The world is in a sad state of affairs…it's a tragedy". Freddie has always been a supporter of the troops…anyone who's seen his shows knows that he loves to play the Hendrix inspired Star Spangled Banner as a tribute to the soldiers who are fighting for our freedom. He hopes to create a new Star Spangled Banner using his computer…you could see the wheels turning in his head "I'll figure something out" he says. No doubt, he will.
"A guitar is a living, breathing thing." Freddie said. "The wood comes from the tree which is a living thing…it has a life of its own." A life of its own indeed…but no one could bring one to life quite like Freddie… just like Freddie to give the guitar all the credit!
After Freddie was diagnosed with ALS, he continued to play for as long as his hands would allow him to. He knew the day was coming when he wouldn't be able to play any longer. Freddie pauses and remembers, "It was October 28, 2004 at the Hawg Stop Blues Festival in Channelview…my last performance." "It was the hardest thing." "To love the guitar so much and to know that I could never play again." "I put the guitar back on the stand and took one final bow." Freddie's long time friend, DangerousDave Watkins recalls "it was the most amazing thing you've ever seen…the entire crowd on their feet, screaming, yelling for Freddie, trying to reach out and touch him, The love in that room was overwhelming".
It would be a love affair that would span a lifetime and shape the man we know and love…Freddie Everett. The best damn guitar player I ever saw.