Hi! This blog was created for friends of Fred MacIsaac to post thoughts in remembrance of his unique and wonderful time with us.
Here's Fred in his Scottish garb. (Brad & Darlene's wedding, Dahlonega, Georgia October, 2003) What a sharp dresser!
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It was a privledge to have gotten the opportunity to have known Fred. He was one of the most unique, smartest, and talented people I have ever met. Fred has always been like a brother to me. I always thought of Fred, and his brother Bob, as my family here in Georgia and I could count on them both of them for just about anything! We all shared some very special times together and I will keep those wonderful memories with me forever. There will always be a very, very special place in my heart reserved just for Fred. I will never forget him. -Darlene Laird
ReplyDeleteI have been a fan of Cedar Hill for years, and Fred was the champion of dead pan. This past Christmas at the WRFG auction, Fred was clearly in distress and was hurting. I talked with him a number of times off air and was hoping that the medical intervention would work. It did not. I will miss his presence with the boys. I wish his family and band well in this time of remembering, laughter, grief and tears.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in peace.
David Galloway
Everywhere I have turned for the last day or so have been signs of Fred's ever presence. Tripping over the scrap metal he brought us for welding art. The bass bow I had been meaning to return to him. The 49 Kay in the corner... silent. I remember one day leaving a gig at Lake Lanier and overheating my radiator on the way home. I saw Bob & Fred go by, unaware, as the steam poured out. I waited about an hour for them to get home and called the house. Fred got right back in his truck, grabbed some tools, and came right back, 50 miles, to help me punch out the thermostat and get back on the road. Both of the guys have pulled me out of mechanical car problems so many times I can't even recall them all. Who else but Fred would have his own car lift and tire machine? There was only one Fred and I'll miss that boy more than anyone will ever know. Who else could I discuss "junk silver" and bass bridges with? (And 10,000 other topics.) He never made me feel stupid, though he tried haha, and was so full of tidbits of useful (and useless) information that it was always a joy just to have five minutes to BS with him on any handy subject. See ya, Freddo!
ReplyDeleteBL
Having been the best looking of the group, Fred will really be missed!
ReplyDeleteFred loved what he did and it showed, both in person and on the radio. Thanks for the joy you brought to all of us!
Dave Williams and Family
Fred was kind, unusually intelligent, and uniquely talented. He was part of the tightest brother pair I have ever seen. The earthly world is sadder indeed with the loss of Fred, but he lived life to to the fullest and leaves a great blueprint behind to follow for a life fully lived. The Heavenly Choir just got a kicking new band member. I believe there will be many years in eternity to make more music with the ones we love. Fred assuredly has earned a special place there and is busy with ethereal mic checks and watching over his beloved Bob, who will forever have a very special guardian angel watching over his ever step and every new music note from Cedar Hill. With Love & Sympathy, April Radtke
ReplyDeleteFred was probably the most interesting person that I have ever had the privledge of becoming friends with. I was always amazed at the amount of different things that Fred found interesting, and being kinda one dimensional myself I always picked up on something new and possibly weird from him. Fred was a true friend and I know it is kinda cliche, but he was truly someone without an enemy in the world. The earth is worse off without him but heaven is an even better place now. Think that he and Smokey Yunick are figuring out competition advantages for Fireball Roberts by now? Shane Ferguson
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the fact that I did not knew Fred well enough, I noticed that he seames like a very humble and kind person. Now, Fred might be in a hurry to play the double-bass in Heavens Bluegrass Festivals. Great for Heaven - but a big loss for Cedar Hill. One more flower in Heavens bouquet to bloom for ever.
ReplyDeleteA friend in music,
Bo Gustafsson, Sweden
Fred was a man who defied description. He was a musician, but much more. He was a mechanic, but much more. He was a friend, but much more. He was a brother, but much more. He was highly intelligent and inquisitive, but much more. He was a radio personality, but much more. He was loving and caring, but much more. He was a racing buddy, but much more. He was a gear-head, but much more. He was a Scot, but much more. Bottom line is Fred brought and gave far more to his friends and acquaintances than he received. We have lost a truly unique individual and until we meet again we are all missing that Fredness that he brought to this world.
ReplyDeletePaul Brewer
The MacIsaac Brothers can certainly take some credit for my love of bluegrass music. Fred was always so supportive, welcoming, and ready to join in - even after playing two gigs earlier in the day with Cedar Hill. His presence and spirit was a true gift, and his passing is a tough reminder of how easy it would have been to get to know him better while he was with us.
ReplyDeleteMLJ
While I don't have the history with Fred that most of you do, I learned as much in the few years I knew him as I have my whole life! I always thought Renaissance men were pansies and wore velvet. Fred taught me that they can be gearheads,play stringed instruments, fix buses and wear a skirt. With pride! He was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. What a terrible loss for all of us.
ReplyDeleteBarbara Coleman
I first met Fred, or Uncle Freddie as we called him around 1970, in Boston, Mass right after he got out of the Navy. His pure and gentle heart was evident then and only grew more obvious over the years. I was blessing that we both ended up in Atlanta years later. It was not for another 15 years though that I would first hear him and brother Bob as a part of Cedar Hill, a truely unique and wonderful bunch of music makers.
ReplyDeleteFred and I shared a decidedly radical and and often contrary view of the world, but he never let it ruin the fun of living. To see the partnership that he and Bob built over years, has been a constant source of inspiration for me. I know he had to do some arm-twisting to get "The Boys" to come all the way up to Tennessee to play at Kathy's and my wedding in 2006. Every one attending marvels at the beautiful and joyful tone that Cedar Hill and Fred brought to that wonderful weekend. Of course I knew they would tear it up and they did. I love you Fred and miss you like the devil... Brad Ansley
O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU: I first saw Fred in 1975. He was working in a auto parts store in Morrow GA and I was working in a Shell station up the street near Hwy 54 and I-75. Fred was wearing his strikingly red hair in a pony tail. When I actually met Fred and Bob for the first time in 1976, they looked liked ZZ TOP meets the HELL'S ANGELS as both were sporting long hair and beards with Fred's being the longest. I often joke that they looked like the Smith Brothers on the cough drop box. Little did I know that fateful evening that I had discovered two friends of a lifetime who would become my brothers and partners in music. What I did know was that inside those rough and gruff looking fellows were two of the nicest, and soft spoken, guys I'd ever met, kinda like Teddy bears (ok Bob was a little more on the grizzly side). I could tell you stories about them that would fill volumes, but our space and time are limited. We have created a lot of great memories together through the Umpteenth (too many to count) 5th Street Bluegrass Festivals to the literally hundreds of other gigs and thousands of hours we've spent spent pickin' together these past 33 years. Our friendship has never faltered and only grown stronger. Our lives are intertwined with the good times and sad. We were there for each when our parents passed away (my Mom is still living) and when our band mates Dewey and Chip picked their last notes. In all that tine, I never saw Fred lose his temper. Fred was smart, witty, thoughtful, kind and humble, the best kinda of friend you could ever want, who would do anything for you. His facial expressions, while playing bass during our performance were varied, often hilarious, and priceless. He loved Bob, like only a brother can, and I know that he loved me too. I miss you Reddy Freddy, but I'm thankful for the times we've shared.
ReplyDeleteThe Duck of Constant Sorrow
Well said Jimmy.
ReplyDeleteDavid Galloway
I remember those long beards and pony tails of the MacIsaac Brothers. The jam sessions at my house, Dewey's house and the endless Sunday evenings that Cedar Hill played at the Marriott (Bentley's) for all us foolhardy souls that thought we could clog!!! I remember Fred being quiet and soft spoken and one heck of a bass player and nice guy. I know many here knew him better than me and will feel great sadness in his passing. Hold tight to those pictures and memories of Fred and Fred will continue to live on in the hearts of many. I'm sending a cyber hug out to all of the members of Cedar Hill. The first one is for you Bob, Take Care.
ReplyDeleteFrom a wannabe Banjo picker...Debbie Webb
Fred was my first love, back in 1969 when we were both very young. He set the gold standard. He was unconditional love. He was intelligent, able to do and fix anything, fun to be with, and interested in so many things. He was observant, kind, and generous. We called him Uncle Freddie, probably because he was more mature and responsible than the rest of us. But, he was also very playful and full of mischief. I have so many wonderful memories and also have too many tales to tell, some not even tellable! “Fredness” should be a word in the dictionary!
ReplyDeleteYou've always been a big part of my life and I miss you Fred.
Terri
Kathy and I both remember Fred from our times together with the SCCA. We were very sorry to hear about his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with Bob as well.
ReplyDeleteLarry and Kathy Daniels
The first time I met Fred he was in his famous kilt. I was charmed right away. We were at the annual SCCA awards banquet and Christmas party.
ReplyDeleteEveryone dresses up for the occasion, and I know that is where my son Joey got the idea to wear a kilt to his senior drama awards banquet. gee, thx Fred. Fred, as many others have already said, was a kind, gentle soul....and you felt it.
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I never got to know him as well as his brother Bob, but he was there for me and Joey when things got tough after my husband died in '99. I have always appreciated how quietly and respectfully they went about doing their good deeds for me.
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I'll miss his smile most of all.
Gwen Jackson
Thank you to all of Freds friends and family for sharing so much of this wonderful person. I knew Fred for almost 9 years from WRFG. He was always kind, thoughtful and helpful in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteOne night I was listening to the station and heard Fred playing Bluegrass music that made me gasp with joy. He was playing all bluegrass renditions of Jimi Hendrix songs. I never heard them before and was overjoyed. His unique knowledge of music and his many contributions will be with us forever.
Fred will be missed but never forgotten.
Rock on Fred
Joanie
Fred was a kind, caring, and gentle soul. He was always willing to help. I keep great memories of Fred as a fellow airshifter, and a fellow member on OPS. May God bless!
ReplyDeleteJagan Bhargave