Photo by Brooke Stevens

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Nate Fredrick releases his debut LP “Different Shade of Blue” on February 26. The record was recorded here in Nashville at Farmland Studios with producer David Dorn. Its 11 songs range in style from Guy Clark to Delbert McClinton with some Kristofferson thrown in for good measure. Let’s just make it simple and call it “great stuff.”

So grab a smoke and a strong coffee and take a ride with Nate and enjoy the gentle sound of his first single, “Paducah,” right here, right now. It’s a co-write with fellow Nashville transplant Harper O’Neill. Here’s what Nate had to say about the song:

“I traveled back home to Springfield, Missouri, every other weekend during my first few years of living in Nashville, partly for a relationship, and partly from being truly homesick. Paducah, Kentucky was the halfway point and during those long drives I had the feeling I was leaving something but also heading to something from both directions. Home changed in meaning for me, and I changed a lot as a person, eventually into someone who felt like Nashville was finally home.”

Much thanks to Nate for visiting the 11 Questions desk. It will be great to hear these songs live when things like that start happening  again.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I am originally from Springfield, MO, and moved to Nashville in 2015 to pursue a career in music as a singer-songwriter.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

My mom used to take me to the CD Warehouse when I was a kid (about five or six years old) and I would listen to the record samples on headphones. According to her, the first record that I asked her to buy me was as Jazz saxophonist named David Coz.

The last record I bought was Waylon Payne’s Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me. I bought the digital version but I’m also planning on buying the vinyl.

First and last live concerts that you’ve been to.

Styx was my first and Anderson East my last.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?  

John Prine

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Portland Brew for coffee and Five Points for pizza.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

Jason Isbell’s Southeastern.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

El Tapatio on Nolensville Pike.

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you. 

Ben Chapman, Matt Daniel, and Meg McRee.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The Listening Room Cafe and the Nashville Palace

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here.

We are trying to get my friend and co-writer (“Different Shade of Blue,” “The Dreamer” and “Caroline”) on this record, Matt Daniel, to move back here from Texas.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

After the release of this record on February 26, I’ll hopefully have a run of shows, depending on the state of live music and venues.