bobby friss

Although his career began in Central Michigan in 1975 with a band called Force, the forming of the Bobby Friss Band in 1983 started his rise to national acclaim and success.

Having earned the reputation as one of the hardest working and most popular musicians in Florida, Friss broke the regional mode for the first time in 1988 with the release of Cut Loose. The independently recorded, self-produced LP found its way onto several Florida AOR stations with the single 'You Can't Come Back' and eventually sold nearly 10,000 copies in Florida alone.

In addition, the band's fever-pitched live shows attracted the attention of the Miller Genuine Draft Band Network, a national sponsorship program known for promoting the best bands in the country.

After spending most of 1989 on the road in support of 'Cut Loose', Friss returned to the studio to begin recording his second album. Filled with eight Friss-penned originals, 'Fate' highlights Friss' optimistic outlook on life.

"Cut Loose was a compilation of songs I had been playing for 10 years," said Friss in reference to his debut LP. "Fate reflects a much more personal view. The songs are all very story-oriented. My philosophy is that optimism always overpowers tragedy, and I think that message comes across on this album in a way that is entertaining."

So far, critics have agreed. At Florida's 1991 Jammy awards - where Friss was named the Top Rock Vocalist - 'Fate' won honors for Best Album. The Gainesville Sun called it "...diverse, incredibly well played and downright enjoyable." The Courier Journal in Louisville, KY., stated that "Fate has infectious energy, a cross between Seger, Henry Lee Summer and Bon Jovi.

In addition to the critical acclaim, the album attracted the attention of program directors across the US. The single 'A Month of Sundays' found its way into rotation on several AOR stations, and the band's first video - for the song 'Welcome Home' - received national exposure.

2003 was a big year for the band with the release of two CD's. 'The Ballads of the Cherry Republic' a tribute to the farmers, people, and places of Northern Michigan, especially the Glen Arbor Area with the emporium called the 'Cherry Republic' the home capital. This is a different side of Bobby's writing with a more scaled down, acoustic sound, including violin, mandolin, and even banjo. 'Live from Bike Week' was recorded in Daytona Beach, FL and really captures the feel of the band onstage. Jerry Riggs performance on guitar solidifies his reputation as one of the world's best.

The release of the 'Best Of Bobby Friss' in 2005 included 16 tracks from Bobby's previous CD's including a bonus track 'The Only Way' that was recorded for a country project back in 2000. Over an hour and a half of great music all re-mastered to really bring out the best of the band's performances.

Bobby Friss will continue his touring, recording, and entertaining into the millinium with the same exhausting energy as the first night he set foot on stage many shows ago.

Bobby Friss has appeared in concert with: Ringo Starr, Train, Trace Adkins, Goo Goo Dolls, Sara Evans, Common, Everclear, David Crosby, Todd Rundgren, Hall and Oates, B-52s, Eddie Money, Kentucky Headhunters, Molly Hatchett, America, Beach Boys, NERD, Pat Travers, Edgar
Winter, Head East, Foghat, 38 Special, Jeff Healy, Dixie Dregs, Smithereens, Blue Oyster Cult, Bad Company, Joan Jett, Rick Derringer, Georgia Sattelites, Joe Cocker, John Cafferty, Pure Prarie League, Leon
Russell, Saigon Kick, Bangles, Helix, Grassroots, Guess Who, Grand Funk Railroad, Dokken, Billy Squier, King’s X, Lou Gramm, Gene Simmons, Wierd Al, Bullet Boys, Autograph, American Hi-Fi, Survivor, Steppenwolf, Little Feat, Otis Day and the Nights, Jerry Seinfeld, and many more.