Frontiers Records is particularly pleased to announce the release of FERGIE FREDERIKSEN new album “Happiness is the Road” for a release on October 14thin Europe and October 18th in North America.
Mostly known for being the former vocalist of TOTO (in the “Isolation” era), Fergie has been involved in a lot of other outstanding musical projects too. Trillion, LeRoux, Frederiksen/Philips, Mecca, Frederiksen/Denander and David London (solo album, under pseudonym) are simply a few worthy of mention. In 1999 he debuted as a solo artist with “Equilibrium”, an album which garnered great reviews in Europe and Japan. In short Frederiksen is certainly one of the most esteemed singers in the Melodic Rock scene and his vocal abilities have blessed some real masterpieces of this music.
In June 2010, Frederiksen announced he had been diagnosed with liver cancer. The following months were obviously very difficult for the singer who used music and the recording sessions of this album as a therapy to regain confidence in himself and his strengths. He also found the time and energy to collaborate with Jim Peterik (ex Survivor) on the songwriting of the album’s title track, a real motivational manifesto for a positive approach to life. Fergie says “It was hard doing the sessions. I had side effects of the drugs, after the operations and then with the pills I’m taking. I had to stop many days and just go home to bed to try and do it again the next day. It has been a huge victory for myself. When I was first diagnosed with cancer I wanted to stop recording. It didn’t feel like I could do it. But my friend Alex Ligertwood said I need to finish it. He was right of course and I thank him for the tough love. I am proud that I did.”
About one year later, in the summer 2011, Fergie had two great things to share with the World: the first being the completion of the recording of the new album and the second is the positive results to the cures he was under, with the cancer now being close to be defeated. “I am feeling great right now” tells Fergie. “I am close to cancer free. Not what all the doctors thought would happen and they are almost as excited about it as I am. I seem to be an exception to the rule. I am very glad to be because the alternative sucks big time”.
The new album musically shows a different side of Fergie. “It’s hard to compare this new album with Equilibrium” continues Frederiksen, “That was a cd that I co-wrote most of the songs, so I guess you could say I was more connected because of that. In the same breath I must say that this cd is very important because of where my world is at right now. The title song, Happiness Is The Road, is the saying I have lived by for the past few years even before I became ill. It means a lot to me to have other people examine it’s meaning. If you think about it real hard, you will find joy and love in your life you have been missing. At least I hope people do. The songs a real good songs. Being I co-wrote only one, it is a change for me but a good one. It is what it is, a cd with good songs and hopefully good vocals. Thanks to Serafino at Frontiers for his vision.”
“Happiness is the Road” is a story of love and passion to tell and of course of so many great songs expertly produced by Dennis Ward (House of Lords, Pink Cream 69, Place Vendome and Angra) and written by Jim Peterik (ex Survivor), David Roberts (Bad English), Mark Baker (Signal, House of Lords), Robert Sall (Work of Art), Joe Vana (Mecca), Dennis Ward and more.
Fergie Frederiksen is involved in raising awareness of Hepatitis C, a disease he has been struggling with himself. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States. Fergie has arranged benefit shows for the American Liver Foundation, with the cause of fighting Hep C. He went through a successful treatment in 2005, which he is fighting for other patients to receive too.
Well, the future is once again bright for Fergie, so keep going on in your life as “Happiness is the Road”.
“Happiness Is the Road” includes the following songs: Angel (Mirror To Your Soul); Elaine; First To Cry; Follow Your Heart ;Happiness Is The Road; I Still Believe In Love; Lyin’ Eyes; Love Waits For No One; Writing On The Wall; The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be; The One; The Saviour.
The first single from the album “Angel” can be exclusively listened in full in streaming on the Frontiers Records webradio www.frontiers.it/webradio
Fergie Frederiksen – Vocals
Dennis Ward – Bass Guitar, Guitars, Keyboards and Background Vocals
Dirk Bruinenberg – Drums
Nathan Eshman – Guitars
Eric Ragno – Keyboards
Produced by Dennis Ward
