MUSIC

Goode's Armadillo Palace presents Todd Fritsch.

Todd Fritsch’s career has exploded since the 2005 release of his Diamond Music Group Records’ debut, TODD FRITSCH. The twenty-something native of Willow Springs, Texas has worked 24/7, juggling his “day” job as a cowboy on the family cattle ranch while simultaneously launching a successful career as an independent recording artist.

The hard work and long hours have paid off. To date, Fritsch has logged over 100,000 miles promoting his music and enjoyed two European tours (Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Switzerland). He has performed at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville; made the Top 5 in the Music Row “Favorite New Artist Poll of 2005; performed at the Country Radio Seminar 2006 in Nashville, and received two awards from the European Country Music Association (Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year). Todd’s rich, baritone voice is a radio natural, and, while it’s made this cowboy a phenomenon both in the U.S. and overseas, it hasn’t changed who he is one bit.

Fritsch is still full of charm and good humor; he’s blessed with classic good looks and a heartbreaking smile. But Fritsch is much more than just another Texas hat singer - he’s also intelligent, down-to-earth, well-spoken and polite – in a way that only a true Texan can be. Recently dubbed the ‘Texas Ambassador’ by Country Weekly magazine, it’s a moniker that the tall cowboy wears well.

Todd learned the value of hard work at an early age, driving a tractor when he was so little he had to stand up to reach the clutch. “By the time I was 13 or 14, I was building up my own herd of cattle,” Fritsch says. He still manages to pull his weight on the family ranch, but lately, his music career has taken up more of his time than riding horses and feeding cattle. “My folks really made this possible,” says Fritsch. “Without them, there’s no way I could be doing my music and touring.”

Juggling two careers takes effort, and Todd radiates high energy and determination, and he’s adept at wearing these two, very different, hats. “I guess you’d call me a multi-tasker,” Fritsch says with a laugh. Multi-tasking is a way of life for Todd, who has practiced the art since his high school days. He was an active participant in the Future Farmers of America program (an organization he credits with teaching him good leadership skills), while also running track, playing baseball and basketball during his teenage years. It was after these sporting events, Todd says, “That my friends would get me up to sing. And that was pretty cool.”

After graduating from Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas, Todd was back to the ranch - and out performing around the local club circuit. “I really love singing live,” he says. “And I learned a lot about how to work a crowd and really put myself out there.” Fritsch would eventually compete, and be named, ‘Viewer’s Choice’ on KPRC-TV’s (Houston) “Gimme the Mike” talent contest. “But my first real success has come over the past 12 months,” Todd says. “Success” may well be an understatement. His website shows a total of over 1.2 million hits since mid-November 2005, with an average of more than 100,000 new hits per month.

TODD has delivered country radio favorites to both the U.S. and international markets - “I Got Mexico,” (#26 Texas Music Chart/#60 Music Row/ #10 International HotDisc chart); “Small Town Radio” (#4 TEXAS Music Chart/ #38 MUSIC ROW/ # 5 International HotDisc chart), and “I Don’t Live Here Anymore,” (#15 Texas Music Chart/#36 Music Row/ #4 International HotDisc chart). The western swing single, "Bob Wills Song,” held the #1 for spot for six consecutive weeks on the International Country HotDisc international chart, and his latest single, “Every Honky Tonkin’ Hero Has His Day” (a duet with Gary P. Nunn) was released to Texas radio last month.

A media favorite, Todd continues to make regular appearances on the pages of Country Weekly, Best In Texas, and other high-profile publications. His music has been heard on national television and radio, as well as satellite radio worldwide. Recent TV appearances include GAC Nights (GAC TV) and his singing of the National Anthem (FOX TV) at the Houston Astros vs St. Louis Cardinals’ baseball game. “I’m in this for the long haul,” he says. “We’ve just returned from our second European tour,” Todd states. “I’ve been writing a lot, and we’re hard at work on the new album.” While his fans eagerly await his upcoming CD, you can bet the ranch that Todd Fritsch is here to stay.