Fred Thomke - Singing Guitarist

If you haven't heard me as yet, you might be wondering "Is he any good? Can he sing well? Is he a virtuoso on guitar or harmonica?" Well, to be blunt, I'm a fair singer, and a so-so guitar player who also manages to play harmonica in the correct key! But those who have heard me and have seen me perform tell me that I'm one heck of an entertainer; I always get the crowd involved, and I ALWAYS have fun myself! Singing and playing for anyone (no matter how big or small the audience may be) just makes me feel good, and I like to think those who hear me feel good, too!

I am ALWAYS willing to provide a live audition for you, anytime/anywhere if you can't catch me at one of my live gigs! This is the best way to "see me in action" for yourself. Only then can you really judge my entertainment merits. After all, you are not just playing CDs, are you?! Just contact me to set up an audition, or to find out if I'm playing somewhere local to you in the near future.

Fred Thomke, a native of Pennsylvania, has lived in Southern California since 1977.  His passion for music started in first grade, singing in the boys' choir at the local church as a soprano.  At the age of 14, after enduring the inevitable pubescent voice change and progressively trying (and eschewing) various school band instruments, he found the true instrumental yin for his vocal yang -- he settled on the guitar as his accompany instrument of choice.  “Besides,” he thought, “chicks really dig guitar players!”  He later added harmonica, and is currently dabbling and twiddling with the banjo, mandolin, and the ukulele.  Hey, chicks dig ukulele players, too, don’t they?

Fred has experimented with various forms of musical expression since then, starting with the prerequisite rock 'n roll garage bands, then progressing to the two-, three-, four-, and five-piece casual bands, playing anything and everything from country to folk to blues to polkas to alternative rock. Weddings, receptions, club work, backyard private parties, corporate banquets, and county fairs were his typical gigs. This was all while maintaining a regular "day job" in the electronics industry.

He also held a challenging and rewarding "side job" as a church choir director for over 25 years. Yes, it was not unusual to find him in a local smoke-filled bar or tavern on Friday and Saturday evening belting out "Proud Mary" and "Johnny B. Goode" 'til the wee hours, and then see him in church on Sunday morning leading the congregation in a soulful, heartfelt rendition of "Amazing Grace"!

Fred's solo act brings many styles of music together in a way that's great for parties or simply relaxing with friends. Be sure to catch Fred at a venue near you, or call/email him for your next party or special event.

About my harmonies:
You might have noticed in my demos that there seems to be someone singing harmony with me. Well, that someone is ME, and I'm using a really cool foot-pedal effects box called the Harmony-G XT by T.C.Helicon. It "listens" to my guitar chords, and as my mic vocals are passed through it, the Harmony-G adds a 2nd or 3rd voice above or below mine, as I'm singing! It is AWESOME!!

About my "back-up band":
I use a program called Band-in-a-Box, by PG Music, to create my backing tracks. BIAB is easy to use, and the tracks are not too shabby. If I could afford a live band, trust me, I would hire one. But BIAB (and Harmony-G XT) don't drink my beer, are never late for rehearsal, and don't flirt with my wife!