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Fred Reif

He knows a lot about music.

About Me

I have been playing music since 1961 as a junior high drummer, in Saginaw, Michigan. Although, it wasn't until after high school in 1965 that I began playing professionally as a washboard player, in the “Original, Low-Class, Half-Fast, Jug and Blues Band.” In 1970 I discovered Lightnin Slim and Arthur Gunter. Same year, I hooked up with Lazy Lester, Bobo Jenkins, Baby Boy Warren, Boogie Woogie Red, Dr. Ross, and Washboard Willie, and in 1972, Eddie Burns. I began booking these artists, as well as others, in Europe in 1972, and still do, today in 2008. Throughout the years, I began booking many other artists, mostly from the Detroit area, which includes, Sir Mack Rice, Steve Nardella, Frank 'Sugar Chile' Robinson,Charles Wilson, Caribbean bands; Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band, Nite Flight, and Caribbean guitarist, Steven Springer. I have written many articles in blues and American Roots Music magazines, as well as many album/CD liner notes. After moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1991, I became director of the Schoolkids Record label, and had over 60 releases. After going out of business in 1997, I now have a day job and book a few gigs here and there, in my spare time. I am basically concentrating on finishing my two books: The History of Music from Saginaw, Michigan from 1850 - 1950s, which is almost done with many photos from 1911 to the 50s. The other book will be all the interviews I have conducted since 1970. I love playing in a band and I love to listen to a good song.