A Man in Black

Fred Hostetler

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A Man in Black

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The new single ‘A Man in Black’ is an interpolated song about a song. It is about the writer of that song and about a mother pleading with her son: “don’t take your guns to town”. It also refers to Johnny Cash’s memorable Read more

The new single ‘A Man in Black’ is an interpolated song about a song. It is about the writer of that song and about a mother pleading with her son: “don’t take your guns to town”. It also refers to Johnny Cash’s memorable 1971 album ‘Man in Black’ and the powerful statement it made. Now in 2026 after watching millions of lives lost or injured in wars and countless attacks on civilians around the world, ‘don’t take your guns to town’ takes on a new resonance and traction that rings continuously in my ears. In these times of worldwide protests it is a clarion call for people to forgo violence wherever and whenever possible for everyone’s safety.
The rise of oligarchs and authoritarians who care only for themselves has caused worldwide hardship and suffering. In the midst of an ocean of helplessness there is a need to speak out before we are all shipwrecked and isolated from each other. Mothers around the world cry for their lost or wounded sons and daughters. My native country has been turned inside out and upside down into a violent place with shootings and the perceived need for carrying firearms for protection. This is where the American icon, Johnny Cash, the man in black returns. He dressed in black explaining “it was for those who didn’t have a voice: the poor, the imprisoned, the soldiers sent into war, and the marginalized who lived outside the spotlight.” Cash had the audacity to deliver a powerful message about guns to nation obsessed by them. He came to be identified as a truth teller. Bearing these things in mind a little known indie artist tries with a little help from an American icon and his song to cast a glimmer of light into the dark gloom of the present human condition, hoping every day people can return to their daily lives in peace.

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Latest Album: BLUES BACK PAGES-5 stars

Your Mind Is On Vacation...“Eclectic musician Fred Hostetler has kicked off 2025 with one of the most prescient songs around…and turned it into a blues rock classic”…Prof.John Porter

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"Orphan Blues, I love that thang…that is a tune you can feel. It reaches down inside you. ..reaching in and pulling the heart out of ya…that is what soul is all about.”  The David Bowers Awards

“Deep Deep Well is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Hostetler on acoustic slide showing some real clean riffs and super blues feel…BMan’s Blues Report

“Rain On My Window Pane” flows with a poetic quality, where intricate playing and eloquent singing meet at a very memorable  …Take Effect 

 

BLUES BACK PAGES CD

Fred Hostetler (2025)

Hostetler’s latest album release is a collection of 11 handpicked blues-based songs that reflect his vision and journey with blues and blues rock music. The tracks were pulled from his prolific output of recordings since returning home to the USA from India where he spent 17 years. Taming the Wolf, a 7 minute long autobiographical epic traces his life of living and loving the blues. 
 

Midwinter Bluies

Fred Hostetler

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Midwinter Bluies

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… “I gotta a case of cabin fever I just can’t lose these icy cold midwinter blues.” Late in February of last year, I woke up one dark gray morning knowing I had to get up, but I didn’t want to. I sat on the end of the bed Read more

… “I gotta a case of cabin fever I just can’t lose these icy cold midwinter blues.” Late in February of last year, I woke up one dark gray morning knowing I had to get up, but I didn’t want to. I sat on the end of the bed and just started singing, “I got the midwinter blues. I got a case of cabin fever. I just can’t lose”, etc. in a sort of country yodeling style. After three minutes of improvisational singing, I suddenly stopped and exclaimed; “Holy smokes, I just wrote an entire song, I better get this down before I forget it.” I grabbed my trusty iPhone and quickly recorded as much as I could remember of what I had done. Now a year has gone by and winter is nigh and I finally get to send this song off into the cold winter wonderland of the music business. I hope it helps whoever hears it in getting through the bleak midwinter. The human animal, like a bear in winter time, just wants to hibernate. The nights are long. The days are grey and it's cold. Seems like a good time to stay indoors. You don’t wanna slip on the ice, get frostbite, or slide off into the ditch with the car. Stay at home and listen to some music that you love.

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Your Mind is on Vacation

Fred Hostetler

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Your Mind is on Vacation

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The classic Mose Allison tune gets a fresh blues rock arrangement and the lyric “Your mind is on vacation and your mouth is working overtime” resonates in the present era of mindless chatter from someone who values themself above all others. Perhaps It’s a song that is a sign of the times.

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Crazy Town

Fred Hostetler

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Crazy Town

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LATEST SINGLE RELEASE: "Crazy town is another way to say, what it’s like living in the world today"

SINGLED OUT - Fred Hostetler just released a music video for his new song, 'Crazy Town', and to celebrate we asked him to tell us about the track. https://www.antimusic.com/news/24/1023singled_out_fred_hostetlers_crazy_town.shtml

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Album Release - Wall of Dreams