Audley Freed

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AUDLEY FREED

As a youth in North Carolina, Audley Freed’s interest in music was sparked by the collision of rock, pop, country and soul music emanating from Top 40 radio at the time, and a lifelong passion for playing the guitar began. Today he plays and records with some of the finest musicians in those genres, including many of his childhood musical heroes.

After graduating from college, Freed started out on his professional journey “guitar-playing and dues-paying” on the Southeastern club and fraternity circuit. Following that, he formed the band Cry Of Love, which was signed to Columbia Records and released the debut album Brother. Brother spawned two No. 1 and two Top Ten AOR hits, including “Peace Pipe,” named by Billboard as one of the “top 50 AOR songs of all time.” Following a second Columbia release, Diamonds and Debris, and another Freed-penned AOR hit, the band called it quits.

Soon after, Freed joined The Black Crowes on lead guitar. His tenure in the Crowes included tours in the U.S., Asia, and Europe; recording the album Lions ; and sharing the stage with legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page in a collaboration that led to the gold-record certified Page/Crowes Live At The Greek album.

Recent years have found Audley collaborating with some of today’s most accomplished musicians. A frequent onstage guest at Govt Mule shows, he co-wrote and recorded ”Life on the Outside”, a song on their album The Deep End, vol. 1. which featured Sly & The Family Stone bassist Larry Graham. He also appears in the companion documentary Rising Low. In 2004, Audley joined Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson’s solo project New Earth Mud, co-writing and recording on the album This Magnificent Distance and playing lead guitar on the subsequent tour. Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry tapped Audley as guitarist for his band following the release of his self-titled solo album in 2005.

In 2006, Freed joined the Dixie Chicks for their Accidents and Accusations tour, which took them to the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia and culminated in a performance at the 2007 Grammys.

Audley has written songs recorded by rock band Train and country singer Gary Allen, among others. He is an active session player in Nashville – recent recordings include songs by the Wreckers and the Dixie Chicks.