Texas Fred Biography

Texas Fred, The Zydeco Cowboy, has the “funkiest” show on the airwaves, the heart and soul of Zydeco on WPFW Radio 89.3 FM in Washington, DC. Ever Since Fat Tuesday 2000 when he introduced Zydeco to Washington, ol’ Tex has been on a zealous quest mission, to initiate everyone within earshot of his voice, into a member of his Zydeco posse. His passion is to spread the word, the gospel about Zydeco, and the ‘joie de vive’ of the Creole culture in Southwest Louisiana/Southeast Texas as a Creole griot.

An avid lecturer, particularly on issues pertaining to Black cowboys and their role in the development of the west, The Cowboy always opens and closes his presentation with a “little” Zydeco. His lecture requests take him far and wide from inner-city schools to staterooms in the Department of Interior. The reaction is always the same, “What is that music, how do you dance to it, where is it from?” To his delight, for those who are open minded and uninhibited, the music wins.

Always willing to help those in need, the Cowboy has hosted many benefits and fund drives to assist musicians in the Zydeco community, whether solicited or not. Last summer during the Swamp Romp at Wolf Trap he hosted a “benefit” tailgate party for one of his heroes, Boozoo Chavis who had recently passed. He’s also hosted Zydeco events to raise funds for several community-based organizations such as the National Center for Therapeutic Riding, a not-for-profit organization in Burtonsville, Maryland that provides horseback riding lessons for those with mental and physical disabilities. A patron of the arts, he also hosted a Zydeco trail ride in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park in Baltimore to benefit Art on the Gwynns Falls Trails and the Gwynns Falls Trail Council.

A native of Prairie View, Texas, a small Black college town northwest of Houston, Fred has always been interested in music, history and storytelling. The son of a college history professor and a schoolteacher, and the grandson of a professional gospel singer, he comes by these interests honestly.

It was on his many trips to visit his maternal grandparents in east Texas that he first heard traditional Creole music, but like most children with other interests, the music initially took a back seat. A lifelong horseman, nothing ever took him very far from his beloved horses. Although he was a star athlete throughout his years in the Waller County school system, nothing was ever quite as interesting to him as horses. His dream was to ride on the yearly Salt Grass Trail Ride that came through his town on its way to Houston for the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Problem was, he never owned his own horse when he was growing up so he wasn’t ever able to participate.

In 1995 his dream finally came true. During a trip home to Prairie View Fred was able to ride in the annual trail ride that year. He was wowed by the great food, people, beautiful horses and the sounds of Beau Jocque pumping from a mule drawn covered wagon. After being away for over 20 years he realized that he was indeed home

He returned to the east coast with a new found zeal to challenge the public awareness of his culture. This gave Fred the impetus to start Zealous Quest 7, a production specializing in radio, television and film. He’s since had his own horse and is the past president of the Maryland Arabian Horse Association. In 1997 he was awarded the coveted Volunteer Service Award by the International Arabian Horse Association. Among his numerous other awards and citations he’s most proud of being recognized by Outstanding Young Men of America and his lifelong membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Currently in his third year at WPFW radio, Texas Fred hopes to also host his own nationally syndicated Zydeco show so he can touch the hearts and souls of folk, through Zydeco, far and wide. For his efforts, he’s being considered for Zydeco DJ of the year by the National Zydeco Society September 2002. Until then he’ll continue to be the Trail Boss of Cowboy Party Time (CP Time) every Friday 12 noon - 1pm and the Midnight Trail Ride every Friday 12 midnight to 3 am on 89.3 FM. “Zydeco is on the rise”….