Sawyer Fredericks

Sawyer Fredericks
Background information
Birth name Sawyer Christopher Fredericks
Born (1999-03-31) March 31, 1999
Newtown, Connecticut
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • television personality
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active 2015–present
Labels Republic Records
Associated acts Noelle Bybee, Koryn Hawthorne, Mia Z, Joshua Davis, Pharrell Williams
Website www.sawyerfredericks.com

Sawyer Christopher Fredericks (born March 31, 1999) is an American singer–songwriter best known for winning the eighth season of The Voice in 2015. Choosing Pharrell Williams as his coach, Fredericks set series iTunes sales records[1] and became the youngest winner in series history alongside Danielle Bradbery (both at the age of 16).[2]

Early life

Fredericks was born to Kirsten L. and Carl F. Fredericks on March 31, 1999 in Newtown, Connecticut, the youngest of three brothers.[3] At age eight, his family moved to an 88-acre farm near Fultonville, New York.[4] He is home-schooled using the Unschooling method.[5]

At age 11, Fredericks received voice training[6] and began performing regionally at farmers markets, open mics, community events, and folk clubs (such as The Bitter End in New York City).[7] He was a finalist in the Young Artist Talent Search in Pawling, New York in 2012.[8]

Career

First recordings

In 2012 Fredericks recorded a demo of six original songs, entitled Breaking Ice.[3] On June 4, 2013, he independently released his first studio album, Out My Window, consisting of 15 original tracks.

2015: The Voice and subsequent career

From February to May 2015, Fredericks competed on the eighth season of The Voice. Talent scouts from the show invited him to participate in pre-show auditions after taking notice of YouTube videos of his singing.[9] On his televised blind audition he sang "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow", a traditional folksong he had earlier adapted to perform while busking.[10] Coaches Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Pharrell Williams turned around their chairs within ten seconds, and Blake Shelton joined them 40 seconds later. Fredericks chose Williams as his coach.[11]

In his Battle round, Fredericks teamed up with Noelle Bybee to sing Creedence Clearwater Revival’s "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" and was chosen by Williams to advance. In his Knockout round, Fredericks sang in a three-way match with Mia Z. and Paul Pfau, after Anthony Riley withdrew from the competition. Fredericks’ performance of Howie Day's "Collide" earned him (along with Mia Z.) an advance into the Top 20.

In the Playoff rounds, Fredericks advanced to the Top 12 covering Ray LaMontagne’s "Trouble", and to the Top 10 with John Lennon’s "Imagine". Falsetto notes in the latter presented a challenge to Fredericks, whose voice was changing.[12] He received the first iTunes Singles Chart top 10 multiplier bonus of the competition with "Imagine", reaching the second position by the close of the voting window.[13] He advanced to the Top Eight with Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" (reaching the fourth position on iTunes, edged out by Koryn Hawthorne at third),[14] and to the Top Six with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Simple Man" (reaching the second position on iTunes).[15]

In the Top Six, Fredericks performed Al Green’s "Take Me to the River" (reaching the tenth position on iTunes), featuring an energetic teen dance troupe surrounding the more reserved singer. For his Mother’s Day dedication song Fredericks was allowed, in a rare move by The Voice, to choose a song which hadn’t been released by a major label, May Erlewine’s "Shine On”. In a further twist, Erlewine revealed that while giving permission for use of the song, she was nevertheless a strong backer of The Voice competitor Joshua Davis.[16] “Shine On” rose to the third position on iTunes, the highest rated song on The Voice that week.[17] The day after the Top Six results show, he returned to New York for a homecoming visit, participating in a parade and performance of three songs before over 4,000 people at Fonda Speedway (Fultonville, New York), and an evening concert at the Palace Theatre.[18]

In the Top Five, Fredericks' covers of Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" and Buffalo Springfield's "For What it's Worth" both garnered him the highest ratings of the week, reaching the second and third positions on iTunes, respectively.[19]

For the May 18, 2015 finale show, Fredericks released the single "Please" (an original song written by Ray Lamontagne) and an accompanying music video.[20] For his duet selection, Fredericks and Williams performed the Seals and Crofts tune "Summer Breeze". The show ended with Fredericks' cover of Neil Young's "Old Man". By noon the next day, "Summer Breeze" had reached the nineteenth position on iTunes, "Old Man" the third, and "Please" the second.[21]

On the May 19, 2015 results show, Fredericks shared the stage with John Fogerty in a medley of Creedence Clearwater Revival hits — "Born on the Bayou", "Bad Moon Rising" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain". Apparent audio problems affected the broadcast.[22] Fredericks was declared the winner at the end of the show, with Meghan Linsey second, Joshua Davis third, and Koryn Hawthorne fourth. Winning contestants receive $100,000 and a recording contract with Republic Records.

According to Republic, Fredericks broke many series sales records for The Voice, with nine singles reaching the iTunes top 10, and 14 singles charting in the Top 200 during the final week. A total of nearly one million digital singles were sold in the course of the show.[1] Throughout the competition Fredericks maintained a strong social media presence, with leading numbers of followers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.[23]

Chart of The Voice performances

     Studio version of performance reached the top 10 on iTunes

Stage Song Original Artist Date Order Result
Blind Audition "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow" Dick Burnett February 23, 2015 N/A All Four Chairs Turned. Joined Team Pharrell
Battle Rounds (Top 48) "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" (vs. Noelle Bybee) Creedence Clearwater Revival March 17, 2015 N/A Saved by Coach
Knockout Rounds (Top 32) "Collide" (vs. Mia Z & Paul Pfau) Howie Day March 23, 2015 N/A Saved by Coach
Live Playoffs (Top 20) "Trouble" Ray LaMontagne April 6, 2015 10 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 12 "Imagine" John Lennon April 13, 2015 6 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 10 "Iris" Goo Goo Dolls April 20, 2015 9 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 8 "Simple Man" Lynyrd Skynyrd April 27, 2015 6 Saved by Public Vote
Live Top 6 "Shine On" May Erlewine May 4, 2015 6 Saved by Public Vote
"Take Me to the River" Al Green 11
Live Top 5 (Semi-Finals) "For What It's Worth" Buffalo Springfield May 11, 2015 5 Saved by Public Vote
"A Thousand Years" Christina Perri 10
Live Finale "Old Man" Neil Young May 18, 2015 12 Winner
"Summer Breeze" (with Pharrell Williams) Seals and Crofts 3
"Please" Ray LaMontagne 5

In May 2015, following his win on The Voice, Fredericks signed a contract with Republic Records.[1] He performed on June 6, 2015 as a headliner at FLY92.3 Summer Jam 2015 in Saratoga Springs, New York.[24]

Discography

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart
positions
US
[25]		 CAN
[26]
Sawyer Fredericks 49 96

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[27]		 US
Rock
[28]		 CAN
[29]
2015 "Please" 37 3 60 The Voice: The Complete
Season 8 Collection
"Take It All" — — — Sawyer Fredericks

Releases from The Voice

Albums

Title Details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[25]		 US
Rock
[30]		 US
Folk
[31]
The Voice: The Complete Season 8 Collection
  • Release date: May 19, 2015
  • Label: Republic Records
 6 8 1

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[27]		 US
Rock
[28]		 US
Country
[33]		 CAN
[29]
2015 "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow" — — 33 — The Voice: The Complete
Season 8 Collection
"Collide" — 34 — —
"Trouble" 112 12 — —
"Imagine" 98 8 — —
"Iris" 100 10 — —
"Simple Man" 71 6 — 82
"Take Me to the River" — 19 — —
"Shine On" 99 10 — —
"For What It's Worth" 104 10 — —
"A Thousand Years" 94 — — —
"Old Man" 63 6 — 99
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Video Director
2016 "Take It All"[34] Chris Acosta

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sawyer Fredericks IS the Voice". Republic Records. May 21, 2015. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ Bertram, Colin (May 20, 2015). ""The Voice" Season 8 Winner Is Sawyer Fredericks". WNBC-TV (New York, New York). Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Rivenmaster (March 29, 2013). "Sawyer Fredericks from Stage Fright to Spot Light a Young Artists Journey". Rivenmaster's Place. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ Nilsson, B. A. (September 18, 2014). "Family-Style Farming". Metroland. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Artist Spotlight: Our Interview with The Voice Winner, Sawyer Fredericks". Republic Records. May 25, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ DiMascio, Samantha (February 23, 2015). "Local teen wows on "The Voice"". WNYT-TV (Albany, New York). Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ Bunting, Sherry (March 8, 2015). "From the farm to 'The Voice'". Hudson, NY Register-Star. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ Chase-Salerno, Erica (December 27, 2012). "Kids' Almanac (Dec. 27 - Jan. 3)". Hudson Valley Almanac Weekly. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  9. ↑ Lyndsey Parker (May 21, 2015). "'Voice' Winner Sawyer Fredericks Explains Why There's No Place Like Home". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  10. ↑ Sawyer and Arthur Lee Fredericks Cover "Man of Constant Sorrow" in Saratoga Springs.
  11. ↑ The Voice 2015 Blind Audition - Sawyer Fredericks: "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow". The Voice. February 23, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks: "My voice is still changing"". WNYT-TV (Albany, New York). April 13, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  13. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (April 14, 2015). "NBC's 'The Voice' on iTunes (April 13, 2015)". TV Media Insights. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (April 21, 2015). "NBC’s ‘The Voice’ on iTunes (April 20, 2015)". TV Media Insights. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  15. ↑ Pucci, Douglas (April 28, 2015). "NBC’s ‘The Voice’ on iTunes (April 27, 2015)". TV Media Insights. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks gives Michigan artist May Erlewine’s ‘Shine On’ gleaming treatment on ‘The Voice’". Holland Sentinel. May 8, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  17. ↑ Puccie, Douglas (May 6, 2015). "NBC’s ‘The Voice’ on iTunes (May 4, 2015)". TV Media Insights. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  18. ↑ Paul Grondahl and Amy Biancolli (May 7, 2015). "Sawyer Fredericks of 'The Voice' has song in heart, love from all". Times Union. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  19. ↑ Puccie, Douglas (May 12, 2015). "NBC’s ‘The Voice’ on iTunes (May 11, 2015)". TV Media Insights. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  20. ↑ The Voice 2015 - Sawyer Fredericks Music Video: "Please" (Digital Exclusive). The Voice. May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  21. ↑ Puccie, Douglas (May 19, 2015). "NBC’s ‘The Voice’ on iTunes (May 18, 2015)". TV Media Insights. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  22. ↑ Michael Slezak (May 19, 2015). "The Voice Recap: And the Winner Is... Plus — Season 8 Finale Awards!". TVLine. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  23. ↑ Mark Franklin (May 17, 2015). "Sawyer Fredericks, Meghan Linsey lead on social media for the Voice". The York Dispatch. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks added to bill for Summer Jam". The Daily Gazette. May 29, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  25. 1 2 "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  27. 1 2 "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  28. 1 2 "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  29. 1 2 "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Folk Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Twenty One Pilots Earns Its First No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  33. ↑ "Sawyer Fredericks Album & Song Chart History - Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Take It All – Sawyer Fredericks". Vevo. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Craig Wayne Boyd		 The Voice (U.S.)
Winner
2015 (Spring) 		Succeeded by
Jordan Smith
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
"My Baby's Got a Smile on Her Face"		 The Voice (U.S.)
Winner's song
"Please"
2015 (Spring) 		Succeeded by
Climb Ev'ry Mountain
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