Fred Nicholas is a disciplined and talented musician who over the past 35 years has made an outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of Popular Music in Dominica.
He has contributed his versatile musical skill to the performances of a number of bands and solo artistes including Bill Omen, Emphasis, Wafrikai, Swinging Stars and Ophelia.
As a teacher of the Bass guitar, he has shared his skill with students and inspired many bass players with his focused and professional approach in the field of Music Education and to the art of music making.
Nicholas has performed regionally and internationally with musical icons such as The Mighty Arrow (deceased), exhibiting high levels of professionalism and exemplary behaviour.
He’s also been instrumental in documenting Dominica’s music, scoring and arranging for numerous calypsonians, recording the music of many budding and established artistes in his “Home Alone Studio” and himself releasing two compact discs of original and arranged compositions.
Meanwhile the Capuchin Cultural Group is being recognized for the preservation and promotion of Dominica’s traditional dance and music over the past 25 years.
Through the years the group has thrilled audiences participating with resounding success in the keenly contested Independence Anniversary competitions, displaying a high level of artistry and polish attainable only as a result of discipline and effort.
The group has selflessly shared its artistic skills, teaching the people of the community, always seeking to involve more and more young ones, and reaching out to help groups in other communities around the island demonstrating its noble and refined approach to community development through the medium of the traditional arts.
The Capuchin Cultural Group has represented Dominica with high acclaim, promoting traditional artistic forms locally, regionally and internationally and has won many awards and trophies for its consistent work and fine displays.
The Golden Drum Award will be presented on Wednesday evening at a ceremony at the Arawak House of Culture.
Dominica News Online will feature the other two awardees, Felix Henderson and DBS Radio, in another publication.
Let me take this moment to congratulate my buddy, Freddie Nicholas, for his dedication and persistence to music in Dominica and around the world. My life has been truly enriched from many years of hanging out, playing music, and just simply exchanging ideas with this guy. I will never forget the Billomen days as we struggled on our way to big things! Watching Fred “attack” that bass guitar on a daily basis was an inspiration to me, in my quest to become a great singer and musician. Thank you Fred, for being my friend and confidante. Thank you Dominica, for bestowing this recognition on him while he is still alive!
I’m Proud to be Dominican. Thank you Freddie & Capuchin Cultural Group for your contributions!
I must add my voice in saying congratulations to Freddie Nicholas on this recognition.I am one of your past students whom you taught at the calypso house which was by the Dominica Club area. I still play the bass and whenever I see you play I must pause to watch and learn.
Irie Fred!
best wishes to the Awardees:the capuchin cultural group; and my Good FRIEND’FRED’won’t say much, but when we meet again i will have a gift for you my brother;next time i come up by your neighbor;
keep doing what you are doing,you are a true Gentle Man.
congratulations to all and continue the good works. I always say , give the people their roses while they are still able to smell the sweet scents.
Geat job wish you all the best.
Great job Freddy. Big up Capuchin and to Dominica’s culture on a whole.
Many more musicians should be awarded … with money for their work and contributions not just a plaque…
Congrats to the Capuchin Cultural Group! Hats off to you guys!!
Congrats to the Capuchin Cultural Group! Hats off to you guy!!
Freddie should have been recognised a long time ago. The Capuchin group deserves the honour but what about the director and choregrapher who make the group survive , should they not be honoured separately? Felix Henderson more than anyone deserves this award, but he just did not walk into the radio and start the creole program on the air. What about the program director of DBS? Movies have stars and also directors and both are recognised. Just picking off persons here and there is not good enough as the program develops going forward.
Nuff respect to the Capuchin cultural Group. I think it is a well deserved recognition, because over the years, you all have thrilled many audiences with your art and wonderful performances. I am indeed proud of you all, and encouraging you guys to keep up the good works!!!
Congrats to all. Well deserved.
Congrats Freddie. You are a truly a great Dominican. A national award would just put the icing on the cake.
congrats to all awardees….continue the great works..