* *
* Looking back *
* I didn't know *
* I was falling in love *
When I write songs, I can just get lost.
* Across the painted sky in a cowboy's dreams *
* She was beautiful *
I tap into a different space when I write.
* Some said she came from Buffalo *
* The sweetheart of the rodeo just passing through *
My name's Paco Fralick. I'm a singer-songwriter.
* *
I'm from Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
I think I was about 15 or 16 I saw my dad play out.
I actually went out and watched him play.
It was New Year's Eve and I remember I was just hooked.
Always like to acknowledge my dad Len Fralick.
He was my musical inspiration.
And I would grow up listening to that music around the house.
And so my first song was "Rhinestone Cowboy."
[audience laughs]
So I started playing bass in the band with my dad.
Got $10 a job.
* His hands are worn like leather *
So music was always there in the background.
* Holds his cardboard sign *
* Hey man, you gotta dime? *
I think I'm a late comer-- I just turned 50--
to try to do something serious with my music.
* The band played a familiar tune *
* And she whispered to me *
I saw my dad as he's getting older
not being to sing like he wanted to anymore,
physically not able to do it.
And I thought I'd better record these songs while he still can.
* * [soft guitar music]
* Well I remember *
* The day that you were born *
* The first time I held you *
It wasn't until actually my kids moved out,
which was just a few years ago.
We have three great kids.
I started writing again
and I found that the writing was still there.
* I knew that someday *
* You'd set out on the world *
My album is called "Letting Go"
and it was released in May of 2017.
* I'm letting go *
* I know it hurts you so this ain't goodbye *
* Dry those tears from your eyes *
I describe it as eclectic.
I think it's a little bit of everything.
It's definitely got a country side to it.
* You're forever in my heart and in my soul *
It has a folk side to it.
* * [soft guitar music]
My songs are usually written about dreams I had
or experiences I had or relationships.
* Start a family of your own *
I'm part Ojibwe from Lac du Flambeau.
And when I was 37,
I started having a lot of spiritual dreams.
And that drastically changed my path in life.
* * [soft guitar music]
Sometimes I don't always understand what I'm seeing.
My dreams became about Native American things
and it caused me to go on this journey
to start to learn more about that side of myself
because I really didn't know much about it.
* 'Cause I'm letting go *
* * [ending notes of guitar music]
This first song is called "Where Were You"
and it had come to me in 2008 through some dreams.
So I just feel very blessed
that I'm able to connect through dreams like that.
I don't take that lightly.
* Disappeard to the sea *
I don't claim to be the greatest singer
or the greatest songwriter or the greatest guitar player.
But those are my songs, you know.
And the spirit brought them through me.
And so that happened for a reason.
I just deliver them the best that I can.
* What a wonder through life *
I think it's never too late to chase your dreams.
And we're all going to fall short.
But it's the journey, really.
* * [ending notes of guitar music]
[applause]
That's what it's all about.
[applause]
Thank you.
[applause]