SOME FOLKS are just naturally easy to like and to talk to, like Fred E. Fuller, part-time satellite television dish installer and repairman. His alter ego, Freddie Fuller, The Singing Cowboy, is all of that and easy listening as well.

Recently, we experienced TV problems so we put in a call to the provider. Fred came riding to the rescue, remedied the problem, and watched the tube a few minutes to make sure it was working well.

As Fred waited, we began to talk. He’s from Salado, so we told him we loved Salado and went to church there. Of course, he asked where and upon our answer, Fred said he’d preached a sermon in a Methodist church when he was 16 or 17. Fred has always been a Baptist. His best boyhood chum was Methodist. And, Fred’s wife is Catholic.

UPON REVEALING all of that, he laughs and says the Baptists taught him to love music, the Methodists taught him to enjoy dancing and the Catholics taught him to drink.

Now, about that Singing Cowboy label, Fred has performed with guitar and vocals just about all his life and he writes songs as well. The Singing Cowboy appears at all sorts of venues in Central Texas — several monthly Opry type shows, schools, art fairs, trail rides, festivals, restaurants, coffeehouses and fundraisers. He performs solo or with a veteran group of musician-performers.

“We don’t do bars or dancehalls anymore,” he said.

Freddie has created a one-man historical show that he brings to classrooms. During the classroom presentation, The History of the Texas Cowboy — circa 1850-1900, he entertains and provides live instructional and interactive social studies to students.

A wide range of performers influenced Freddie’s music, both as a vocalist and as a songwriter. Those include Gene Autry, Michael Martin Murphey, Sons of the Pioneers and Guy Clark. And, he’s worked with Riders in the Sky. His repertoire embraces old-time country and cowboy melodies, folk songs and original ballads. The beginnings of Freddie’s musical influence came from strong country roots in his native Salado as well as his mother’s gospel tunes.

LIKE MANY people, Fred and his wife were lured to the bright lights of Dallas and the promise of more money. They spent seven years there until, as Fred tells it, one day he finished a 10-hour day at the office and started the trek home. “I went to the grocery store and stood in a long line to check out. Then I had to buy gas because my vehicle was on empty, so I waited in another line. I finally got home in time to watch the 10 o’clock news. That’s when we decided to move back to Salado.”

The move 15 years ago wasn’t without some reservations, but they decided they could find something to do to support themselves in order to get out of the big city “insanity.”

One direct result of the move home was a song, To Sing Once Again, which captures Freddie’s great satisfaction of returning to his country roots. It’s also the title of one of his CDs.

Late last year, Freddie got to go to Iraq for about 10 days and entertained U.S. troops at remote outposts, doing nine shows. He called it one of the most satisfying things he’s ever done.

“We performed in huge tents,” Fred said. “There might be 120 or so soldiers stationed there, but usually there were only 40-50 in camp at any given time.

“Most of them were youngsters 18-22 years old and they had a look in their eye brought about by training and age that said they were there ‘to kick the enemy’s behind’.”

FREDDIE WROTE a couple of new songs prior to making the trip and performed them with some initial apprehension due to the age and perceived attitude of the young troops. The songs — You Put Your Life on the Line and Soldiers’Prayers — pay honor and tribute to U.S. troops.

“As I sang You Put Your Life on the Line, I watched the faces of these young soldiers and in just a little while they began to tear up and cry. It was one of the most awesome experiences I’ve ever had.”

That’s how it is with Freddie Fuller, The Singing Cowboy.

You can learn more about him and even download some of his music by going to www.thesingingcowboy.net.

Willis Webb is a retired community newspaper editor-publisher. He can be reached by email at wwebb@wildblue.net.