Biography
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2009 brought new and exciting projects to fruition as Rocky teams up with Grammy Award winning guitarist and producer (and founder of Windham Hill Records) Will Ackerman.
Will recently produced Rocky's new CD,"THE PATH AHEAD" (formerly titled Secret Symphony...all coupons valid)) and some 2009/10 concerts to promote the new work are being arranged now!
On Sept 12 Rocky and Will performed together in Pawleys Island,SC to celebrate the release of the new CD.
Other players on the "THE PATH AHEAD" CD include Tbone Wolk, Michael Manring, Patrick Oleary and Dan Greenspan, all on different basses, Eugene Friesen-cello, Steve Shuch-violin, Derrik Jordan-percussion, Jeff Oster-horns and Will Ackerman, David Cullen-guitar plus Noah Wilding's beautiful vocals.
Internationally acclaimed actor Bill Oberst, Jr. comments on Rocky's performances:
"Mark Twain once said 'There are things about audiences that cannot be taught; only learned.'
To be on stage with Rocky is to know the truth of that statement.
Mr. Oberst continues, "I strive to connect personally with my audiences, and it sometimes happens, but with Rocky, it is effortless communion."
"I think it is simply this: once an audience meets Rocky, they fall in love. And that is the thing that cannot be taught - how to make a roomful of strangers love you and your art form so passionately that they are on your side because they can tell that you love them." "Rocky never takes from an audience - he gives. And that is why they love him."
Solo, Duo, Trio, Band, or Orchestra Rocky is at home.
Rocky is a life long musician with an extensive background in many genres of music and has enjoyed performing in many and eclectic ensembles.
Gigs of note:
Sept. 12,2009 CD Release concert with Will Ackerman!
The Bitter End-NYC- with Lightwood (going back soon with Rocky Fretz Trio)
Pawleys Island Festival Of Music and Art-Pawleys Island, SC - A Tribute to the Music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber (headlined with Delbert McClinton)
Newberry Opera house-Newberry, SC -A Christmas Journey-full production road show-sold out! Going back Dec 17, 2009
City Of Morganton Municipal Auditorium
Brookgreen Gardens-Pawleys Island, SC- Nights of a Thousand Candles Christmas-Headline 2003-2008
Center Theatre-several productions
A Christmas Journey NC/SC Tour
Open for Marshall Tucker with Sawgrass Bluegrass Band
Jazz at Brookgreen Gardens
Piano Grande Stage Show- Legends In Concert Theater- 1,000 seat venue and 2 different shows
Music Canvas (Rocky plus abstract artist and all spontaneous composition n concert with combustible painting) -Myrtle Beach, SC Performing Arts Center
The Carolina Opry Show- Governor's Cup Award winning family variety show setting the standard in the industry Rocky was original cast member, former vocal director and always Feature pianist.
Good Vibrations Show-Gilmore Auditorium
Turkish/American Consulate - Ankara Turkey- Department of Defense Tour with Grand Ole Opry star and dearly loved fiddle great Bill Haney
On board a US carrier tender - Spain
Music helped Rocky found and, for the first 5 years, run, the only homeless shelter/rescue mission in the Myrtle Beach, SC area.
StreetReach Mission is now more than 10 years old and has recently moved into it's new 20,000 sq ft facility on several acres of property in MB. Music played a large part in the fund raising efforts to start the StreetReach Mission.
Rocky also proudly serves, alongside a distinguished group of Congressman, State Representatives, Senators and successful businessmen and women, as a Board Member-Coastal Youth Ballet Association.
Rocky serves as a consultant and Advisory Board Member-Marion County Technical Education Center's Audio/Visual Production Program under the direction of Morris Ward
Rocky was an original cast member, vocal director and the featured pianist of a large well known music variety show, The Carolina Opry, in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Rocky performed in 4,500+ performances for more than 4 million people over 17 years before striking out on his own in September 2003.
Rocky has released several CDs (4 original) including "Zeal-Soar Spirit, Soar!, an original Happy Jazz CD w/ the Rocky Fretz trio and "Christmas Morning" a solo piano Christmas work.
Rocky's newest CD is "The Path Ahead"was released August 21, 2009 and is now available
His recent stage production 'Rocky's Piano Grande' was presented on the stage of the world famous Legends In Concert Theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Piano Grande featured an all star cast, choir and character actors. The show was 50% arrangements of well loved songs and 50% original compositions.
Other Rocky Fretz Productions include "A Christmas Journey" featuring character actor Bill Oberst Jr., a mass Gospel and children choir plus an 11 member cast of amazing entertainers.
"Piano Grande Christmas' featuring the phenomenal cast of Rocky's Piano Grande.
"A Tribute to the Music of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber"
One of Rocky's original compositions/recordings was placed in a "Fear Factor" credit roll.
Another piece from Rocky's 'Imagination' CD was placed in "The Making Of Conviction' and in The Megan Mullally Show.
Thank you...Rocky
Instrumentation
Rocky's concerts for 2009/2010 are filled with only the best songs from the many styles from which he has to draw. With a primary focus on his own original compositions as a foundation, Rocky builds a set list peppered with unique and captivating arrangements of select works of other composers. Kym Shurbutt, an amazing entertainer himself, says. "Summertime"is incredible and"Flight of the Bumble Bee somehow became one of his better received Jazz performances! The theme from 'Phantom of the Opera', as only Rocky can deliver it, is breathtakingly beautiful. One can't help but stand and cheer."
Rocky captures the emotion described in the previous testimonial in a live performance each and every time whether as a solo pianist or with a bassist as a duet or violinist and percussionist as an ensemble of choice.
Rocky is now booking dates between Jan 5-Jan31/2010, April1 2010 forward. Please email Rocky rockyfretz@gmail.com for booking information.
Discography
BUY Rocky CDs -email rocky@rockyfretz.com
Christmas Off The Streets (1996 out of print) remastered version available
A BETTER WAY (1999) Cover CD Broadway, Movie Themes, Originals, Sacred
FROM ROCKY FOR CHRISTMAS (2000) Rocky and orchestra play Christmas Classics
MUSIC THAT HEALS (2001) Original New Age CD
IMAGINATION -"Vision Beyond Appearances" (2003) Original New Acoustic Solo Piano (LIVE) CD
FAITH - "Walking On Water" (2005) Hymns with original preludes- solo piano.
ZEAL- "Soar...Spirit Soar" (2006) Original Jazz CD Trio Featuring Bassist Patrick O'Leary
Christmas Morning (2006) Solo Piano - unigue arrangements of interesting Christmas songs plus two originals.
2008/09
THE PATH AHEAD produced by Will Ackerman
New Acoustic CD 1/2 solo piano 1/2 ensemble including Cello, Flugal Horn, Violin, Percussion, Mandolin, Guitar, and more. All original except interpretation of "Pictures" by Will Ackerman
Buy Rocky CDs email rocky@rockyfretz.com
Links
| http://RockyFretz.com |
| Official Mailing List |
| Download Rocky's new CD today at Many Miles Music |
| FACEBOOK Fanpage |
| Rocky on http://www.CalmRadio.com |
| Videos |