Fred Tackett
, a native of the U.S. state of Arkansas, is an American songwriter and musician. Originally a session player, on guitar, mandolin, and trumpet, and a songwriter, he is best known for his membership in the band Little Feat.
In addition to his work with the Little Feat, Tackett has played and recorded with many notable artists.
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FRED TACKETT TICKETS
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Association with Little Feat
Tackett's association with Little Feat goes back to a friendship with the founder of the band,
Lowell George at the time of its inception. Working as a session player for other musicians, he continued his friendship with the bandmates, and contributed a song
Fool Yourself
to their third album
Dixie Chicken
as well as
acoustic guitar. He also contributed guitar to their sixth album
Time Loves a Hero
.
In 1979 he co-wrote songs with Lowell George for both George's first (and only) solo project
Thanks, I'll Eat It Here
, and Little Feat's album
Down on the Farm
. It was during work on the latter that the group's break-up was announced. Lowell George died shortly afterwards.
Joining Little Feat
In 1988 Little Feat reformed despite the absence of their former
front man, and prolific singer, songwriter, and
slide guitarist,
Lowell George. The regrouped Little Feat included former members, Craig Fuller, Paul Barrere, Ritchie Hayward, Bill Payne, Kenny Gradney, and Sam Clayton, with the addition of Fred Tackett. All had been former members of Little Feat, except Tackett, who had previously made song writing contributions and session work for the band. Fuller left in 1993, to be replaced by female vocalist
Shaun Murphy who remained with the group, until 2009. Tackett has remained with Feat to this day.
Fred Tackett has played a pivotal role in Little Feat's music. In addition to his guitar work, he plays trumpet and mandolin and has co-written several of their songs, forging an active and regular writing partnership with Paul Barrere which has produced such songs as "Marginal Creatures" and "Night On The Town". The 2003 album
Kickin' It at the Barn
featured Tackett's debut as a
lead vocalist on his own song "In A Town Like This" which was also the title track from his solo
debut album released that year.
Paul and Fred
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Tackett's writing partnership with Barrere has developed into a separate act where the two perform as a duo. This has produced one live album and a DVD. A studio album is currently being released. They have also spent time between gigs when touring to perform in local radio stations, playing songs that do not require a lot of changing of instruments, to travel as lightly as possible.
Discography with Little Feat
As session musician
- Dixie Chicken
1973
- Time Loves a Hero
1977
- Down on the Farm
1979
As group member
- Let It Roll
1988
- Representing the Mambo
1990
- Shake Me Up
1991
- Ain't Had Enough Fun
1995
- Under the Radar
1998
- Chinese Work Songs
2000
- Kickin' It at the Barn
2003
Live albums
- Live From Neon Park
1996
- Live at the Rams Head
2002
- Down Upon the Suwannee River
2003
- Highwire Act Live in St. Louis 2003
2004
- Barnstormin' Live
2005
- Rocky Mountain Jam
2007
Live compilations
- Ripe Tomatos Volume One
2002
- Raw Tomatos Volume One
2002
Paul and Fred
- Live From North Cafe
2001
- Sights and Sounds
DVD 2005
Solo
Available exclusively from the band's website
Session work
- The Allman Brothers
- The Archers
- Greg Allman
- Rory Block
- Jackson Browne
- Glen Campbell
- Eric Carmen
- Valerie Carter
- Judy Collins
- Rita Coolidge
- Bob Dylan
- Fleetwood Mac
- Lowell George
- Vince Gill
- Rickie Lee Jones
- Knights of Crisis
- Nicolette Larson
- Juice Newton
- Aaron Neville
- Van Dyke Parks
- Bonnie Raitt
- Lionel Richie
- Leo Sayer
- Carly Simon
- Boz Scaggs
- Rod Stewart
- Harry Nilsson
- Bob Seger
- Ringo Starr
- Tom Waits
- Wallflowers
- Jimmy Webb