Welcome back to When Words Fail, Music Speaks, the podcast that battles Depression and heartache with the healing power of song. I’m your host, James Cox, and today we’re honored to sit down with a true powerhouse of soul, strength, and the blues—Miss Freddie, the Pittsburgh‑born “Lady of the Blues.”
From singing in church choirs as a child to surviving cancer twice, Miss Freddye’s journey is a testament to resilience. By day she’s a full‑time nurse and devoted mom, and by night she commands two dynamic ensembles: Roots of the Soul—her evolving blues‑rock‑R&B outfit—and Miss Freddye’s Home Cooking Band, a genre‑bending crew that serves up everything from gospel to jazz, country, and classic rock.
In this conversation we’ll explore:
- The roots of the blues—Clarksdale vs. Memphis and the lore of Robert Johnson.
- What the title “Pittsburgh Lady of the Blues” means to her personally.
- How music helped her navigate two cancer battles and chronic stage fright.
- Her ever‑growing musical palate—from classical piano to heavy metal, jazz, and beyond.
- The behind‑the‑scenes struggles of a performer who still gets nervous at 15.
- A dream she’s still chasing: mastering the bass guitar.
- And a handful of fun lightning‑round revelations—her favorite live song (“Slipping Away”), the biggest crowd she’s ever played (Picklesburg), and a surprising future plan to open a barber shop.
Stay tuned as we dive deep into Miss Freddye’s story, her empowering anthem “Lady of the Blues,” and the heart‑fueled music that keeps her moving forward. Whether you’re a blues devotee, a fellow survivor, or simply someone looking for a lift, this episode is a reminder that when words fall short, the music always speaks.
Website:
https://missfreddye.com
James Cox is an individual living with cerebral palsy. He has a podcast called “When Words Fail…Music Speaks” in which he discusses how Music can help with depression. James has lived with cerebral palsy all of his life, and now he wants to help people understand that living with a disability does not define who he is.
James’ dad is a retired colonel in the Air Force, so he lived in many different places such as the Philippines and bases in the southeast USA meeting many interesting people and gaining life experience. James has worked several different jobs over the years that allowed him the opportunity to meet new people and gain different outlooks on life. Places such as Central Carolina Tech College, The Sumter Library, Dave and Buster’s, and Outback Steakhouse.
James has been living on his own for five years now. Moving out of Sumter SC, he has been living up to his life long goal to live on his own and thrive despite his disability. He now lives in Columbia SC and has a part time job that he loves in addition to his podcast.
