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The Artist’s Sketch: Frank Strong
If there’s one thing Frank Strong has learned about life, it’s always take food. He learned that lesson the hard way when, at 21, he hopped into the boxcar of a train headed west from Council Bluffs. It was 1971.
“It’s
dangerous to do that and I wouldn’t suggest anybody try it nowadays,”
Strong said. “It’s not like those things are developed for passengers.
But you could look out the huge doors of these boxcars and it was like a
huge big screen TV – watching the world.”
“Freight Train Frank” developed a love for the railroad from watching his grandfather who inspected and maintained railroad cars as a carman. His experience riding the train (which took him all the way to California and Washington) was also the beginning of his love of travel. He’s been to Japan and Guam and will travel to Europe this month.
Strong received his degree in political science from the University of Iowa, and his master’s degree in disability service from the University of San Francisco. He is director of programs at the Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities. He began losing his sight at 16 after being diagnosed with a genetic disorder. At 18, he began teaching himself the harmonica, and was soon providing lessons for both adults and children.
“I didn’t realize until then that the music is all about the disability,” he said. “It’s a way to communicate with oneself.”
It wasn’t long after that Strong began playing the guitar as well, looking to greats like Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Willie Nelson and Jimi Hendrix for inspiration. But his true love of music is rooted deep in his own family history.
“These songs record and celebrate the colorful history of building, maintaining and riding the railroad system throughout the United States,” Strong said. “The songs tell the stories of the struggles, challenges and achievements of the builders of the railroads. They were written and first performed by folks who had little, if any, formal musical training.”
Strong shares his talent today as a teaching artist on the Iowa Arts Council Teaching Artists Roster. Through his residencies, Strong conveys the richness of experiences documented through songs – how each of us tells our own stories through music.
“I’ve learned so much from others, and I’ve learned a lot about myself, too, because as you teach, you learn,” he said.
Strong and his three-piece Backwater Blues Band travel the state playing old time blues and train songs. He lives in Des Moines with his wife, Jeanette, who is also musically talented and teaches piano and voice. He has been heavily involved with both the Central Iowa Blues Society and VSA arts of Iowa.
In 2000, Strong and fellow blues musician Tom Gary approached KC Hummel with the State Historical Society of Iowa about an event to showcase local blues acts. In 2001, the first Blues Before Sunset series was held. Today, the event draws hundreds to enjoy the free outdoor concerts at the State Historical Building, providing a boost for local musicians and a fun way to start the weekend. The 2006 series begins Friday, June 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. with the Blue Band.
“What a great marriage it’s been,” he said. “With the support of the Iowa Arts Council, State Historical Society and others along the way, it’s been a great run.”
Frank Strong’s Teaching Artist Roster page can be found here.
More information about Blues Before Sunset can be found here.
