Paul Fredrickson

Paul Tracy Fredrickson lived well, loved well, and made very good use of his time here. When asked to describe him, friends, family, and customers will pause, blow out air, shake their heads, and invent a title for him: Musical Mentor, Professor of Rock, a Walking Encyclopedia of Music, The Best of Us All, and a really gentle spirit with a wicked sense of humor.

He worked many kinds of jobs to make his way in the world, mostly in music. But then, he worked in music his whole life whether he was paid for it or not. Music was his calling and his passion, never a job. He played in several bands over the years including: Hypnotizing Chickens, The Tequila Worms, The Docey Dopes, UGLOR, The Monotonics, and The Last Call Band.

You might own a Spector bass that Paul helped build in Neptune New Jersey in the 1980’s. Or you might know him as the guy behind the counter at Paul’s Music Shop on Ottawa Beach Road, a job he created after working for years at Tower Records in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Or maybe he helped you choose a new drum set, guitar, bass, or even a skateboard at R.I.T. music in Holland.

He could have told you a thing or two about who to listen to in the genre you liked, and where to find live performances of the music you wanted to learn to play. He carried a vast, knowledge of the history of contemporary music, its players, instruments, gear and record labels. He held all of that quietly, offering it up to anyone who was curious. He really loved and understood curious people. Especially curious musicians.

It was over the counter of a music store that he locked eyes with the artist, Carrie Andrews, his wife of 22 years. He restrung her guitar and her life. They spent all those years hunting down and attending live music performances around the country, from their homes in Holland, or their houseboat in Key West. Or you might have found both of them working in Carrie’s studio, interpreting the natural world around them in paint while listening to Paul’s extensive collection of recordings.

Paul was a Hollander, born and bred. His people go back to the founders of the town. And though he went to explore music in New York, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey and the Florida Keys, he always came home to his deepest friendships and memories, and to his family – his mom, Dorothy (Dody) Fredrickson, his father Paul Sr., both now deceased, and his sister Sara Simmons, mother of his beloved nieces and their growing families.

And then there are the guys at “Choir Practice.” Paul’s tight-knit gang of friends and musicians and musical explorer scouts. These are the brothers of his heart. More than just a gang of guys, they are a gang who keep live music thriving in West Michigan. A rare sort of brotherhood, still out there in the world.

Paul was preceded in death his parents; some great friends; and very good dogs. He is survived by his wife, Carrie Andrews; sister, Sara (John) Simmons; and their daughters: Katie (Erik) VanMeerbeeck, and their children, Charleigh and Weston; and Ann (Nate) Van Heest, and their daughter Alice Paul.

Paul is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bill Garlinghouse and Mary Yocum and their children, Chris Garlinghouse and Joey Garlinghouse; Julie and Jack Ridl, and their daughter, Meridith; Bob and Diana Garlinghouse and their children, Katie and Nic Milliron; Allison and Andrew Reiner, and great niece and nephews, Theo, Violet, and Thomas.

And of course, Paul is survived by the brothers of his heart, the “Choir Boys,” and uncountable numbers of musicians he has mentored, taught, promoted and celebrated along the way.

A memorial service for Paul will be held at the Douglas United Church of Christ, 56 W Wall St, Douglas, MI 49406 at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 22nd, followed by a celebration at the What Not Inn, 2405 68th St, Fennville, MI 49408 at 1:00 pm with food, live music and a cash bar.

Gifts in Paul's memory can be made to Hospice of Holland The Angels on this Earth, 270 Hoover Boulevard, Holland, Michigan, 49423