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life and his career are tightly woven into the fabric of country
music history and lore. He is both legacy and legend with an
unmistakable voice and a captivating style.
David Frizzell
is one of the greatest voices in country music with a haunting
resemblance to his older brother, the ultimate stylist, Lefty
Frizzell. Both
share that raw, forlorn quality that is essential to the
interpretation of traditional country themes, but David’s voice is
even more resonant and nuanced; a perfect instrument for conveying
the deepest emotion of every lyric. |
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(click image
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While still just a
teenager, David Frizzell left home to perform and tour with his
legendary brother, working the concert circuit with many of the
mightiest names in country music. By his 18th birthday, Frizzell was
recording country and rockabilly albums for Columbia Records. A
four-year hitch in the military slowed his burgeoning musical career,
but upon his discharge, Frizzell was immediately re-signed to Columbia.
David emerged
from the significant shadow of his brother to create his own
artistic identity. He recorded and charted the first country
version of “L.A.
International Airport”
(months before it became a hit by Susan Raye) and followed that
song with a Top 40 rendition of “I
Just Can’t Help Believing.”
Frizzell parlayed his recording success into headlining country
shows in Las Vegas, a bold move that paved the way for other
country acts in Las Vegas. |
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| In the early
1980s, Frizzell founded the musical duo of Frizzell
& West with the
gorgeous and gifted Shelly West, daughter of country superstar Dottie
West. Their recording of “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma”
made its way to Clint Eastwood, who insisted on adding the tune to the
soundtrack of his forthcoming film, Any Which Way You Can … despite
the fact that every major label had previously passed on the song and
the duo. This vote of confidence earned Frizzell & West a contract
with Viva/Warner Bros. and the wheels began to turn quickly. A small
radio station in Tulare, California began to play the album track. Other
stations followed, prompting Warner Bros. to release the song as a
single. Soon, the song that nobody wanted became a smash hit. |
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David and Shelly at
Gibson
Photography:
Gordy Collins
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Frizzell & West
remains one of the most-awarded acts in entertainment; one that sold out
arenas worldwide and produced five albums. The duo twice won the Country
Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award, twice won the Academy
of Country Music award for Vocal Duet of the Year and were awarded the
ACM Song of the Year award. They also received the Music City News Award
for Duet of the Year twice and Song of the Year as well.
During his duet years
with West, Frizzell continued a vibrant solo career. He scored a huge
chart-topping hit with “I’m
Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home.”
The record is a country music standard, and has been featured on CMT’s
40 Greatest Drinking Songs in Country Music, making #17 in the
countdown. Also, making #6 in CMT’s countdown of the 100 Greatest
Duets is “You're
The Reason God Made Oklahoma.”
Along with his CMA
awards, Frizzell has won numerous performing and recording trophies from
the Academy of Country Music, Billboard and Music City News. He has been
nominated for three Grammys, both as part of Frizzell & West and as
a solo artist.
As producer of the
popular Frizzell
& Friends series
of projects, David brings together some of the top performers in the
business for both live and recorded projects. On his own Nashville
America Records label, Frizzell & Friends guest performances have
included Merle Haggard, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Lee, Gene Watson, Joe
Stampley, Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown, Lacy J. Dalton, Bobby Bare,
Helen Cornelius, Jimmy Fortune (Statler Brothers), John Cowan (New Grass
Revival), Johnny Rodriguez, Amy Clawson, brother Allen Frizzell and
niece Tess Frizzell.
| In
2011, David released his long awaited book, a tribute to the life
and career of Lefty Frizzell. “I
Love You A Thousand Ways: The Lefty Frizzell Story”
features a forward by Merle Haggard and chronicles the turbulent
life and career of one of America’s most influential voices. The
book was named by CMT as one of the Best Music Books of the year.
An audio book is in production and David is working on a
screenplay of the story.
A
star-studded 70th birthday celebration at Nashville’s Hard Rock
Café was no mere milestone in 2011. More of a stepping stone, the
event marked the entry to 2012, the year Frizzell calls his “year
of giving back.” |
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In
addition to the Lefty project honoring the brother who loved, taught
and inspired him, David has plans to give back in other ways. He has
teamed up with M.A.D.D.
(Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) to raise awareness of the dangers of
driving impaired, and of the tremendous service provided by the
organization. |
The Frizzell
family itself was touched by loss in the wake of an accident with a
drunk driver and this project is one way for David to both thank MADD,
and strive to help and inspire others. With the moving song, “Say
Hello To Heaven,” set for release in
early 2012, David paints a story of loss with the palpable emotion that
only his inimitable voice can deliver. The song and a segment focused on
MADD will be part of a Frizzell & Friends television show on the RFD
network.
Writing, producing,
touring and performing… David Frizzell is not one to rest on his many
accolades. This timeless entertainer continues to share his gifts to the
delight of fans old and new across the US and throughout the world.
For more information on show
booking and management,
please visit our contact page.
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David Frizzell
Career Highlights |
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WINNERS OF
THE EUROPEAN
CMA ANNUAL AWARDS
“Vocal Collaboration of the Year”
FRIZZELL
& FRIENDS “THIS IS OUR TIME” |
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CMA Awards |
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ACM Awards |
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Music City News Awards |
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1982
“Duet of The Year”
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1982
“Song of The Year”
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1983
“Duet of The Year”
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European Country Music
Association
Charts |
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Videos |
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I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home
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Beautiful Body
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Catch The Wind
(Special Olympic Video)
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Silent Partners
(Duet with Shelly West)
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The One That Got Away
(Duet with Ed Bruce)
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Frizzell
& Friends - This Is Our Time
(with David Frizzell and Gene Watson, Joe Stampley, Jeannie
Seely, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Lee, T. Graham Brown, Allen Frizzell,
Jimmy Fortune, Lacy J. Dalton, Helen Cornelius and Kevin Denney)
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Movie Soundtracks |
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Television & Personal Appearances |
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Grand
Ol’ Opry
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Hee
Haw
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CMA
Award Shows
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ACM Award Shows
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Solid Gold
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Nashville Now
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Crook & Chase
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Grammy Award Shows
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Good Morning America
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World Fair
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Las Vegas
Casino’s: Hacienda, Tropicana,
Golden Nugget And The Aladdin
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Lake Tahoe
Casino’s: The Caesar’s Tahoe
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Spark's
Casino’s: John Ascuaga’s Nugget
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Frizzell
& Friends Live In Concert
(with David Frizzell and guests Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Joe
Stampley, Jeannie Seely, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Lee, T. Graham Brown,
Allen & Tess Frizzell, Jimmy Fortune, Lacy J. Dalton, Helen
Cornelius and Kevin Denney)
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Top Ten Songs |
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#1
You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma
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#1
I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home
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Just Came Here To Dance
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Lost My Baby Blues
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Honky-Tonk Nights On Broadway
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Where Are You Spending Your Nights
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Grammy Nominations |
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Group
or Duo of The Year
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Song
of The Year — “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home”
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Song
of The Year — “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma”
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“Frizzell
& Friends - This Is Our Time” – 9 Nominations
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CMT Status |
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| For Booking
Information, please go to our Contact Page. |
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