Freddie Stone, co-founder of Sly & the Family Stone:: Official Site

Track Samples

When I was 17 years old and a senior in high school, I played wind instruments in our Concert Band and the upright bass in our Dance Band. Two of us in the Dance Band wanted to get deeper into music and thought we would try our hand in writing music for the band. Our instructor gave us permission and each of us wrote a small piece. I worked very hard, stayed up almost all night trying to make it perfect, and turned it in to my instructor at the appropriate time. When the band didn't play the piece right away, I asked the instructor about it. His response was, "I'm not going to let them play that trash!"

Words have tremendous power! Although I continued with music, for many years following that high school experience, there was always the thought in the back of my mind that said, "This is not good enough." Had I listened to my music instructor, I would have given up. But there were others around me (especially my family) who encouraged me and they let me know "you've got everything it takes to make it." I learned that although some people will not recognize your potential, there are always those who will.

My desire is that this CD will uplift and encourage everyone who hears it. I believe "old fashioned" principles still work today. You too have everything it takes to make it, and it's amazing what you can do with the Lord on your side.

This CD is dedicated to my wife, Melody, and my children:
Casey, Stacey, Simon, Fred Jr, Joy and Kristi.

I want to acknowledge my Mom and Dad; my sisters,
Loretta, Rose, and Vaetta; my brother, Sly;

Steve and Katherine Topley; Keith Jackson; Pastors Daryl & Sandra Wilson; Pastors Alfred & Dina Smith; Neal Austinson; John Dakks; relatives; friends, and my church family -
Evangelist Temple Fellowship Center, for their continued support and encouragement.

I also want to give special thanks for their contribution to this project, without whose support and sacrifice it would not have been possible:
Pee Wee & Michiko Hill, Rose Stone Rosiecrans@aol.com, Moses Tyson Jr,
Bill Maxwell, Walter Rodriguez, Lisa Banks, Joy & Kristi Stewart,
Stephen & Vaetta Reese, Casey Stewart, Ollie Poole,
Gaylord "Snookie" Stinson, Alex and Choon-mun Doré,
Brad Sears (Consumer Music, Vallejo, CA), Reginald Harris,
and Lloyd Gregory.

All Songs Written and Arranged By - Frederick Stewart
Producer - Frederick Stewart
Co-Producer - Pee Wee Hill
Executive Producer - God
All Songs Mixed by Pee Wee Hill at Master's Crib, Canyon Country, CA PWKO@earthlink.net
All Songs Mastered by Ken Lee at Ken Lee Mastering, Piedmont/Oakland, CA CDAudio@aol.com

Photography by Reyna, PO Box 128 Sth San Francisco, CA 94083-0128 reyna.sings@att.net

Design by Choon-mun Doré CHINTERACTIVE

Manufactured by Disc Makers, Fremont, California