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'Baldhead' Fred Rautmann was born 3-29-69 to Wanita Rautmann, Dance Master of America and PGA Tour Player and Golf Professional, Dick Rautmann. Fred grew up with impeccable timing and a passion to entertain.
Fred purchased his first drum set, an eleven piece double kick Tama with Roto-toms and Octobons, during his ski instructor days at Dodge Ridge Ski Resort in the early 90’s. He practiced and performed his first gig with Darren Ventura at a local party in Strawberry, CA.
In 1993 Fred moved to Auburn, CA and joined the band Stone Soup. Stone Soup's first show would be Baldhead Fred’s debut with his trademark-shaved head and his Scandinavian Birch, Sonor Force 3000 drum set. Stone Soup sounded great that night and BHF was hooked on learning a new craft. Fred still uses the Sonor drum set today!
Fred honed his skills at JJ's Blues Bar in San Jose, California as the house drummer at a jam night for over six years. He credits his ability, to sit in and play any genre with anyone at anytime, to JJ's where he learned that it was not his way but how the song was being sung and played at that moment. "I have played the same song with hundreds of people hundreds of different ways. I have performed Blues, Country, Folk, Jazz, Reggae and Rock useing my ears to listen to every instrument being played and creating a pocket that the musicians and listners enjoy. It's not my way, it's the musics way."
Currently, Fred is building a family with the Love of his life, Bethany McQueen and their two children. He is playing local shows in the South Bay Area with Double Barrel, featuring Russ Cox on lead guitar and vocals w/ Jack Cannon on bass. The Backyard Blues Band featuring Mario Ramirez (youngest brother to Ritchie Valens) on harp & vocals, Mike Baldwin on guitar & vocals and Jack Cannon on bass.
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