"My inner life is the source that determines how I write about what I am experiencing. What influences me is everything that I experience. By this I mean from love and friendship to politics, the working world from tech to traffic to social media, rain walking, etc."

Fred Hostetler: Blues Back Pages

Fred Hostetler is an indie artist, American musician, singer/songwriter, and author who has worked with major artists including Johnny Winters, Graham Parker, the Knack, Billy Squier, Jeff Beck, and Grammy award winning producer Jack Douglas. Along with Karen Lawrence he founded the highly acclaimed southern California blues band Blue By Nature. His style, while grounded in blues and Americana traditions,  cannot be defined by a single genre. He won the LA Music Critic Award for Best Singer Songwriter 2019 ...and nominated for Best Video 2019 ‘You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know’ ” He currently resides on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest. Hostetler’s latest album release “Blue Back Pages” (2025) is a collection of 12 handpicked blues-based songs that reflect his vision and journey with blues and blues rock music. The tracks were pulled from his prolific output of recordings since returning home to the USA from India where he spent 17 years. Taming the Wolf, a 7 minute long autobiographical epic traces his life of living and loving the blues. 

(Fred Hostetler, Americana/Roots singer/songwriter/guitarist, and author / Photo by Dennis Browne)

Fred says: “A few people became aware of my songs. I felt that some of my earlier work, especially the blues songs, were lost and had gone unheard but deserved to be heard in a more focused blues setting. This materialized as Blues Back Pages. Some songs have been remastered or partly rerecorded. I think the listener gets a chance to see that in spite of the best of intentions, some things just don’t turn out as well as expected while others shine. It’s all part of the journey.”

Interview by Michael Limnios               Archive: Fred Hostetler, 2020 interview

Special Thanks: Doug W. Deutsch & Fred Hostetler

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

I learned you have to sort it out by yourself. The iconic artists learned from others but became unique by using what they learned from others as building blocks for their own unique creation. I learned that life is problematic and change is inevitable and constant. It is an inner and outer journey with new twists around every corner. Priorities change. What was once important can seem hollow in hindsight. BLUES for me represents something fundamental and powerful and foundational. It’s a Deep Deep Well I can rely on and return to for sustenance and refreshment.

How do you describe your new album “Blues Back Pages” sound and songbook? What touched you from Mose Allison and Bill Withers’ tunes/songs?

I describe it by saying, “Welcome to my little corner of the blues world”. This is the album “Blues Back Pages”. It is a collection of 11 handpicked blues-based songs that reflect my vision and journey with blues and blues rock music. The tracks were pulled from my previously released recordings since returning home to the USA seven years ago. ‘Taming the Wolf’, a seven minute long autobiographical “epic” traces a life of living and loving the blues. In 2017 after returning from India I determined to finish something I started in 1977 when I declined signing to Max’s Kansas City-NYC records as a solo artist. Now forty years later I started over again with 8 years of continuous releases. A few people became aware of my songs. I felt that some of my earlier work, especially the blues songs, were lost and had gone unheard but deserved to be heard in a more focused blues setting. This materialized as Blues Back Pages. Some songs have been remastered or partly rerecorded. I think the listener gets a chance to see that in spite of the best of intentions, some things just don’t turn out as well as expected while others shine. It’s all part of the journey.

In my opinion, a song’s value cannot be measured by its popularity. It may have been written for only a few souls to hear.When I accidentally came across the original Mose Allison blues song ‘Your Mind is on Vacation’ (and your mouth is working overtime) on YouTube, I knew it was important to do my own rendition. It had a defiant attitude that immediately seemed relevant. It’s a song that is perhaps a sign of the times, a song about someone who values himself above all others. I immediately heard it in a different way, a fresh approach using multiple blues genres and finally spinning off into a groove reminiscent of Blue By Nature. So, there you go. Something a little bit different to enjoy. An interesting side note is that many in the blues community attribute the title to a phrase first used by legendary blues guitarist Buddy Guy. The passing of Bill Withers motivated me to do my own bluesy version of his hit single, ‘Ain't No Sunshine’ (when she's gone). I hope it honors his legacy and continues to bring soulful and heartfelt feelings across genres like he was able to do. Having journeyed down the river of life I have really come to appreciate the extraordinary power and love women possess and experienced the loneliness of separation from the source and the force.

”Blues for me is an archetype of the soul that comes out from the heart. It is fundamental and natural. It bubbles up like an artesian well: fresh, pure, cool, and refreshing. Therefore it’s a base that’s always there when things get too top-heavy and need simplification and purity of feeling.” (Fred Hostetler, an indie artist, musician, singer/songwriter, and author / Photo by Dennis Browne)

You’ve worked in many different settings, from clubs and studios to open air festivals. How do you navigate between these different worlds?

You are correct in implying that each environment has its own requirements. Flexibility is the first thing that comes to mind. As one never knows what happens next, you must be ready when opportunity strikes. You may only get one chance. This was advice given by Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith. Experience is the best teacher and also fosters humility and preparedness. We learn as we go and hopefully don’t pick up bad habits and make too many mistakes along the way. Contingency plans are vital. Luckily there are many guides online with advice on what’s needed for all varieties of live gigs. The musicians path is full of potholes, speed bumps/breakers, and sharp curves; so be alert.

Why is it important that we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of Blues in today’s society?

There’s always a certain segment of people who need a certain kind of music to make them happy and help them through life. That fact alone makes it important to foster awareness of blues music. Blues for me is an archetype of the soul that comes out from the heart. It is fundamental and natural. It bubbles up like an artesian well: fresh, pure, cool, and refreshing. Therefore it’s a base that’s always there when things get too top-heavy and need simplification and purity of feeling.

Your work is known for creatively reimagining blues tradition. How do you balance respect for the roots with experimentation?

My first thought on this question is ‘the heart knows’. The icons of blues left messages for those who follow.Instead of condeming us white boys, for the most part they didn’t throw shade on our efforts to emulate their work or accuse us of cultural appropriation. Rather, they encouraged us. BB King himself at his high-end blues venue at Universal City came backstage to the dressing room to talk with the members of Blue By Nature, the 90s blues rock band founded by Karen Lawrence, Rick Dufay, and myself. His kind words and encouragement is a personal example I can share.

”Experience is the best teacher and also fosters humility and preparedness. We learn as we go and hopefully don’t pick up bad habits and make too many mistakes along the way. Contingency plans are vital.” (Photo: Fred Hostetler with Blue By Nature and BB King, Hollywood, California c. 1995)

What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your art/music?

It’s an expression of feelings that arise from the environment, both outside and inside. No doubt love has something to do with it.

When did you first know that you were a musician? What do you love most about the act of songwriting?

I had a ukulele made out of plastic in grade school, but I think music making    first came alive for me when I learned fingerpicking on guitar, and I was able to apply the style to various songs and begin to develop an ear and feel. I have to say I was maybe a little late getting there because of my love for basketball and tennis during the teen years. There was no internet then, so no free lessons on YouTube. You had to figure things out for yourself. If you were lucky someone might be around who could show you something. Otherwise, it was Mel Bay and George’s School of Music, which wasn’t exactly rock n’roll.

As far as songwriting goes, the process can be painstaking and full of decisions, but filled with many surprises along the way. I try to stay open as I bounce off the original ideas and stay true to the feeling. The best part is finishing it and being able to play it live for an audience or to see people are streaming it.

Why do you think that American Roots music continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think that what is known as American roots music is not a singular thing. America is a nation built by immigrants. It is an amazing amalgamation of indigenous music from the souls of diverse cultures. These different streams have mixed sometimes freely and sometimes through great hardships in the giant problematic cauldron called the United States. The result is style creation that’s an unending (substantial) source of inspiration to people around the world. Perhaps they feel in the music an expanded essence of their own culture. One might say that American roots music is of the earth and taproot of the musical plant that grows in all humankind.

"The breadth and depth of Indian culture is truly rich and provides a powerful environment from which you can turn and observe your own life experiences and culture from a distance. You can go inside on a\ journey of self-discovery that brings with it new perspectives on life."

(Photo: Fred Hostetler)

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better musician?

Obstacles and challenges are the building blocks to success. What seems to be failure and disappointment are often lessons to be learned. Milestones on the way to success. For me, events I have no control over often appear, altering any approaching progress. An example, in the 70’s our band was about to be signed to a Warner Brothers label when the oil embargo hit the US and there was only enough vinyl for signed bands. Another problem I encountered was an inability to find enough time to become the skilled musician I wanted to be. Making a living always seemed to take too much time and there was never enough time left after work for doing what I enjoyed most. So, make the most of the time you’re given. A Chinese proverb comes to mind: If you want to have control over life you will fail. If you try to force life to fit your plans you will ruin it.

What were the reasons that made India (music and culture) to be the center of artistic and Folk/Rock researches and experiments?

I spent many years in India and returned inspi. During that time, I wrote a song along with the Indian saint Vasantha Sai called “Go Inside”. The breadth and depth of Indian culture is truly rich and provides a powerful environment from which you can turn and observe your own life experiences and culture from a distance. You can go inside on a\ journey of self-discovery that brings with it new perspectives on life. Indian music itself is a deep deep well, an artisian well of rhythms and feeling that invite you to drink from that clear water, to experience new fresh approaches to your own music and way of life.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

It is not possible for me to be relevant as I am an anomaly even to those who know me. I meet at the Commons with the coffee curmudgeons every morning. I get a multitude of perspectives, and I grab little bits that people say, and they blossom in my mind and immediately go into the notes app on my iPhone. That’s often how I write. It’s like Lectio Divina. It is a sort of inner process of burgeoning awareness that can lead to the expression of what I will be concentrating on. The “geezers” at the Commons encourage me because they like my music, and I find their observations motivating. I enjoy the fact that through social media I can maintain a presence and that my music is heard in 107 countries around the world. I keep my fingers on the pulse of the music biz but don’t get hung up about it. I am not a content creator or an influencer. I am a singer songwriter who plays all instruments on self-produced recordings in spite of preferring to work in the context of the creative idea rich environment of other musicians.

"Obstacles and challenges are the building blocks to success. What seems to be failure and disappointment are often lessons to be learned. Milestones on the way to success. For me, events I have no control over often appear, altering any approaching progress." (Photo: Fred Hostetler is an indie artist, American musician, singer/songwriter, and author who has worked with major artists including Johnny Winter, Graham Parker, the Knack, Billy Squier, Jeff Beck, and producer Jack Douglas)

In your opinion, what is the biggest revolution which can be realized today? What do you think the major changes will be in near or far future of the world? 

At this moment, in time, I have no real idea what outcomes will take place. It’s a very volatile moment. A vital moment for the world. Now we may be headed into darkness, but even if things were to turn toward the “sunny side of life,” trouble will always be a part of life. So what comes out from my heart is to stay positive. To give people hope is important to our survival. Moving on from tribalism and fundamentalism would make for a more peaceful and cooperative world. Bloggers, the media, and corporations are pushing the wonders of AI and prognosticating about its arrival and impact. Tech bros, dictators, oligarchs and billionaires are turning us into serfs and viewing us as entities for monetizing. This is what I fear I see coming and that’s very dark. Then there’s what I hope could be coming. I don’t know how it will manifest, but this would include a more positive way for indie musicians around the world to share the amazing emergence of so much music in a equal status on platforms instead of being bought out and pushed out by corporate entities. This same principle of respect and equality would apply in a general way to all people. I cannot help but add that I love Mother Earth so much that taking responsibility for nurturing her and acceding to Her wisdom instead of thinking that human beings can know it all seems fundamental to surviving whatever is coming in the future.

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the previous album “Rain Walking" (2024)?

Where to begin? Happy Fingers was written when young children were coming over and I was partly responsible to provide some form of amusement for them. This is during a time when I was happily getting up early, walking out on the mountain, and then picking up my guitar and writing songs. I thought at the time “I have happy fingers able to play and not be interrupted all day long.” That idea combined with a little food prayer before meals where you raise hands to give thanks and bless and show gratitude - all fell into place to create the Happy Fingers song. It also has a shout out to inclusivity.

"As far as songwriting goes, the process can be painstaking and full of decisions, but filled with many surprises along the way. I try to stay open as I bounce off the original ideas and stay true to the feeling. The best part is finishing it and being able to play it live for an audience or to see people are streaming it." (Fred Hostetler, grounded in blues and Americana traditions / Photo by Dennis Browne)

Are there any memories from Johnny Winter, Mick Taylor, and Jeff Healy which you’d like to share with us?

Johnny Winter blew me away and inspired me with his slide version of Roll and Tumbling, but I think the story that is more fun is Mick Taylor. Blue by Nature, the band I helped found along with Karen Lawrence and Rick Dufay, was on the same small label, Shattered Music and opened for him at a good-sized club in LA. Mick arrived at the venue to discover the guitar that was rented for him from SIR was totally unsatisfactory and threw a fit and wouldn’t go on stage. The president of the label was at his wits end. “Fred to the rescue”… Seeing it was a Fender Stratocaster, I offered him the use of my 1967 Strat. He looked at it and went calm, picked it up and ripped off a few licks, smiled, and said, “This will do.” He played a great gig with my guitar. Hurrah!

What do you think is key to a life well lived? What does your music convey about the human condition?

In hindsight, I would say the growth of love in one’s heart. Knowing who you really are and knowledge of the self deepens the flow of the river of life and tempers the strong currents and raging rapids and the constant changes experienced from the float downstream to the sea. Enjoying the rapids and bouncing off hidden rocks is part of the adventure. A traveling companion is helpful. It could be music or another person or even an unseen being/person/guide.

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

My inner life is the source that determines how I write about what I am experiencing. What influences me is everything that I experience. By this I mean from love and friendship to politics, the working world from tech to traffic to social media, rain walking, etc.

Fred Hostetler - Home

(Photo: Fred Hostetler)