This week’s Frothy Monkey Local Artist of the Week is Nate Frederick and the Wholesome Boys, and we’re featuring their track “Shortcut to Waco.”
Nate Frederick and the Wholesome Boys’ formation is something of local legend; Frederick began singing while his jaw was wired shut after taking a tumble running from the law. He left Springfield and moved to Nashville, releasing a solo project in 2021. A local watering hole brought Frank Patrick James’ guitar work to his sights. He’d also meet Andrew Foreman (bass) and Dylan Miller (drums). These three “wholesome boys” would soon become his backing band.
Frederick’s restlessness and contentment meet in the middle on this track. The Wholesome Boys assist in presenting the latter, through calm that comes with age and experience. The band’s rich, warm harmonies over each chorus place the listener at ease. Still, Frederick’s rowdy side slips through the cracks. The third verse proclaims, “I scream, you scream, we all scream sometimes, to keep from going insane.”
James’ guitar work drives home the dichotomy of calm and crazy. His Chris Stapleton-esque playing is musically simple, but each note tugs at the human heart and mind. Popping through the mix alongside the guitar is an occasional keyboard. Whimsically, the keys carry listeners further down on a rural highway, “on their winding way to where they meet.”
Nate Frederick and the Wholesome Boys are headlining this weekend at Lightning 100’s Nashville Sunday Night at 3rd and Lindsley. They’ll be accompanied by supporting artists Leah Blevins and Dylan Smucker. Listen to “Shortcut to Waco” below, then grab your tickets here!
Tune in to 100.1 FM and lightning100.com all week to hear “Shortcut to Waco” by Nate Frederick and the Wholesome Boys, our Frothy Monkey Local Artist of the Week!
