Sam Frazier Jr

This article is about the blues musician. For others with similar names, see Sam Frazier.

Sam Frazier, Jr. (born August 12, 1944 in Edgewater) is a blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player.

Frazier was one of six siblings born to TCI coal miner Sam Frazier and his wife, Terretta in the mining town of Edgewater in western Jefferson County. His mother earned extra money for the family by hosting Friday night barbecues and operating a shot house from the family's small home. Itinerant musicians often entertained at the weekend barbecues, including legendary bluesmen Sonny Boy Williamson and Jimmy Reed.

According to Frazier, it was Williamson who presented him with his first harmonica, and a few brief lessons in playing blues music. After finishing 9th grade at Edgewater Elementary School, Frazier went to Westfield High School. At 17, he moved in with his uncle, Willie Perry on a farm near the Marengo County seat of Linden. He completed high school at Linden Academy while working on the farm and part time at a local restaurant.

Through a co-worker at the restaurant, Frazier hooked up with a blues band and moved back to Birmingham. He soon shed the group and began taking bookings as a one-man act, accompanying himself on guitar, harmonica and a two-piece drum kit. His sister joined him as a bassist and their act caught the ear of local DJ Maurice "The Thin Man" King. He arranged an audition with a talent agent, who took the Fraziers to New York City to record a single entitled "You Got Me Uptight", which was moderately successful on radio. The Fraziers performed in New York at the Sonia Ballroom for a while, before Sam moved back to Birmingham and joined the gospel quartet the Golden Hummingbirds.

Frazier also led a three-piece combo which often played American Legion halls and Disabled Veterans functions. He took a day job at a local auto dealership, and through his connections there, earned an audition for "Country Boy" Eddie Burns. Burns added him to his touring group which played store openings and other regional events. He also encouraged Frazier to follow Charley Pride into performing country music. He became a regular guest on the Country Boy Eddie Show on WBRC. After winning a talent contest at Sonny Duke's Night Club, Frazier accepted a regular booking there, which lasted for five years.

Joe Mitchell of Missile Records heard Frazier at the club, and signed him on to record twelve songs in Nashville. The single "Cabbage Man" was the most successful single of the session.

The 1970's

In 1970, Sam recorded several songs that were released on Neal Hemphill's Goodie Train record label out of Birmingham, Alabama. Although Sam was not signed as an exclusive artist to that label, Goodie Train released “Take Me Back”, "Set Me Free”, "I've Been Hurt”, “Don't Spread Your Love Around”, “Momma Said She Ain't Here”, “Drippin' Honey”, and “I Don't Want Another Love”. In 1974 Sam went to Nashville and auditioned to appear on the nationally syndicated TV show, “You Can Be A Star”. He was selected to perform and Sam won the first round of competition singing the song “An Old Chunk of Coal”. The level of competition was rather stiff. Another contestant on the show was Alan Jackson. Sam appeared on two of the shows and the show was primarily a country music show.

The 1980's

While in Nashville, Sam also appeared at “Fan Fare”. Sam was spotted by a talent agent who booked him to appear at Gilley's Supper Club in Pasadena, Texas. Also on the venue at Gilley's was Gene Watson, a legendary country artist. Sam's first big foray in the blues arena came in 1987. Sam booked a session at Sound of Birmingham recording studios in Birmingham, AL and over a six month period, he and studio owner/producer Don Mosley finished an entire album which was released on the “Blue Rock” label out of Torrence, California. In support of that release, Sam moved to California and appeared on showcases around the state. While in California, Sam also performed with legendary blues artist Johnny Otis in “The Johnny Otis Revue”.

The 1990's

On a return visit to Birmingham, Sam met record producer Fred Sollie, the owner of an independent record label, Sollie Sunshine Records. Fred signed Sam to a two year contract. Over that period of time, Fred and Sam co-wrote eight songs. Out of that collaboration came the song “Forty Acres of Hillside Mountain Land” which was released in 1991 and became a No.1 hit on the independent record charts. The second release, “Momma Kept The Lamp Light Burning”, received international airplay and can be found on radio station play lists as far away as Australia. Also released was “A Road Walked By Fools”, “Crying Melody” and “Leaving You Would Be A Sin”.

2000's and later

Sam appeared for a number of years with tribute artist Gilbert Gauthier in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gilbert would perform tribute shows to Neil Diamond and Frank Sinatra. Sam, however, always appeared as himself. In 2006, Sam moved back to Birmingham to attend to family matters. Shortly after his return, his older sister and younger brother died. Since that time, Sam has been working steadily on a new blues project with producers Don Mosley and Les Alexander at Sound of Birmingham Studios in Birmingham, AL. The cd is scheduled to be released internationally in the first quarter of 2012 on the Transmedia Music label; also in Birmingham, AL.

References

• Mosley, Don (July 25, 2011) "Sam Frazier, Jr.. Transmedia Music
• "The Birmingham Sound" (August 28, 2009) Bhamwiki

External links

• Sam Frazier, Jr. on Facebook.com
• Sam Frazier - There You Go Running Down My Cheek Again (1987, The Country Boy Eddie Show) on YouTube.com
• Sam Frazier - Mr. Wrong (1987, The Country Boy Eddie Show) on YouTube.com