Freddie Downs
Freddie Downs was born on January 25, 1952. He had dual ambitions growing up, to be an author and to become a radio announcer. He has succeeded in both of his goals.
From 1974-80 one of his ambitions came true, he was a radio announcer and deejay at both KCLO in Leavenworth and KUDL FM, Kansas City. As an interesting side note to his radio announcing days is that his boss was a pre-political Rush Limbaugh.
His second goal, that of writing, took a bit longer, but it came true with writing credits which include - "Rock And Roll Then And Now," a two part novel, "Life Rocks" and "Radio Rocks", "The Shakeouts Of Rock And Roll" and "Memories - A TV Journey." In addition to those books, he has had articles appearing in "The Golden Age Of Radio And TV" and has had his poetry published in the Kansas State Poetry Journal, "Sunflower Petals." His novel, “You don’t Have Forever,“ is used by students in a Texas classroom to get children interested in reading.
Everything that Freddie wrote required years of research and refinement. Even after a book was published, he wouldn't stop researching the subject. He was always planning an update as additional information surfaced. Because his writing didn't focus in one particular direction, he found himself playing whatever role the project required - reporter, novelist, poet, and humorist.
To see Freddie Down's
"The Best Of..." Lists
Although slowed by the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, he has never given up. In 2014, Freddie did a two hour book signing and personal appearance at a local book store. Speaking off the cuff, Freddie had the audience riveted for two hours with his stories about both the TV and music industry. It was a magical two hours where the writer and the audience became totally involved in a re-creation of the early days of both rock and roll and of TV. Freddie’s books on television and music preserve energy and the feel of those early days for all time.
Reading the works of Freddie Downs is like revisiting a time when values seemed deeper, friendships more lasting and the hope of a bigger and better future practically guaranteed.
This book is Freddie Downs sixth book. In it, he looks at Christmas through the lens of music, from the provincial carols and classical music pieces through the more contemporary efforts.
He examines: the biggest Christmas hits of all time, the best selling Christmas album and singles, the holiday standards for rock and roll, jazz, the blues, soul, country and women; the biggest theatrical event of the holiday; Christmas; hymns and carols; Christmas around the world; a Pop chronology; the Christmas songs of the Beatles and even Christmas music videos.
If it’s music and about Christmas, it is in here.
The book is a fun read and an enjoyable presentation of the music that has made Christmas music what it is today.
Non-Fiction
Memories: A TV Journey
Non-Fiction Entertainment
If you’re a fan of television, and who isn’t, Memories – A TV Journey, will take you back to the days when television was young. If you remember the days of test patterns and Kate Smith beginning the day with, “God Bless America,” then you were there for those early. You’ve witnessed television’s growth from the infant days of three stations and live broadcasts to today’s cable and satellite TV, with hundreds of channels. Or, if you would like to read about those days and how television has grown to become the world-wide entertainment titan it is today, Memories – A TV Journey, is for you. You’ll follow its the growth and learn about the people and programs that were the foundation of today’s television.
So, if you are a fan of television, you’ll love this book.
Non-Fiction History
Fascinating People
How were St. Nicholas and Vlad The Impaler transformed from real people to the fictional characters Santa Claus and Dracula?
How did 9/11 compare to Pearl Harbor?
What 19th century artist conceived the images of Santa Claus,
Uncle Sam and the symbols of The Republican and Democratic parties?
Read "Fascinating People" for these and other answers.
Shakeouts of Rock & Roll
Non-Fiction History
From its early days, one of the most influential forces in america has been Rock & Roll. Born in the late 1940's, Rock and Roll's popularity rapidly grew among the younger generation. In the 1950's, Elvis Presley exploded on the national scene. At the same time, Black singers like Ray Charles, Little Richard and Chuck Berry were gaining in popularity.
Rock and Roll was on the way to changing America's culture. In the early 1960's The Beatles led the British Invasion and changed the world. Music merged with politics and nothing's been the same.
Upward Spiral
Poetry
In this collection, we bridge every subject from death to a good laugh while returning you to a time some years ago when life appeared to be more clear-cut and simple.
Some of these could be sung while others make their message in as little as four lines.
If you have a half-hour and would enjoy revisiting this time not so long ago that was what I had in mind too.
Thank you for considering my book, “Upward Spiral.” Freddie Downs
You Don't Have Forever
Fiction
The influence of the baby boom generation continues to resonate today. "You Don't Have Forever" brings together two stories from this time period, the first regarding a group of friends who mature during this period. The second story concerns a radio station that undergoes a myriad of changes.
Both are stories of survival in turbulent times. The first is a forbidden love between a white man and a black woman. The second a radio station that was more a state of mind than a business. A thread runs through the years that anything important in the early days only intensifies through life. Like their themes these stories can only increase in importance with the passage of time.
