When Freddye Stover learned she had breast cancer in 1998, the tears flowed.“Receiving the ‘C’ diagnosis is heartbreaking,” said Stover, known in the regional music scene as “Miss Freddye.” “I cried for 24 hours straight. I went to bed crying. I woke up crying. I cried in the shower. I asked, ‘How much time do I have to live? Do I need to write a will?’ ”
And then, the second time, I knew right away it was back. I was determined to fight it again.”
And she did, in 2004.
Whether battling cancer, singing the blues, doting on her two grown sons — one who is on the autism spectrum — or holding the hand of a patient who just received devastating news, Stover remains positive.
That attitude helped her endure breast cancer twice.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stover said she thinks about all those dealing with breast cancer and the feelings of uncertainty and pain. She says to surround yourself with people who love you and want to take the journey with you. And pray.
“There will be ups and downs, because cancer is wicked,” the Ross resident said. “I have cared for cancer patients but, when you’ve gone through it yourself, you really, fully understand what it is like.”
Caring for others
Stover, who celebrated her 33rd year in nursing in June, is an outpatient nurse coordinator for Dr. Kenneth Lee in surgical oncology for UPMC Presbyterian in Oakland.
“I love what I do,” Stover said.
“They told us in the olden days to not get too attached to your patients. If you get too close to them, it might cloud your decision-making,” she said. “That is hard for me, because I care about every patient. It’s not always about the money. It’s about giving back to the community, to mankind.”
Working with Stover is a pleasure, said Caroline Damon, a physician assistant for Lee.
“She is dependable and, whatever you ask of her, she does it right away,” Damon said. “She goes above and beyond for patients. She is definitely a team player.”
A musical family
Stover is one of the most loving people you will ever meet, her musician friends say.
“Miss Freddy is give, give, give,” said John Vento, a Penn Hills native who lives in West Deer, and founded Band Together Pittsburgh with Ron Esser of Frazer, owner of Moondog’s and the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox. The nonprofit provides programming, musical experiences and vocational opportunities for those on the autism spectrum.
“Anytime anyone asks, ‘Miss Freddye, can you do this?’, the answer is always yes. She has a smile on her face all of the time. She is a blessing in every way.”
“She has a heart of gold,” Vento said. “I have met some amazing people through music, and she is one of the best. She is an important member of my music family.”
“She is extremely talented and works on her singing every day,” Esser said. “I could listen to her sing forever.”
The beginning
Stover doesn’t have any formal musical training. Her singing career began in 1996 when Mike Thompson, a bass player she was dating, heard the single mother serenading her younger son with “Silent Night.”
The band, Blues Music Works, under the direction of “Big” Al Leavitt, needed a singer. When she started, Stover recalled facing away from the audience until Leavitt suggested she turn around because “the crowd will love you,” he said.
In 2002, Stover formed the band, Blue Faze, and then Miss Freddye’s Blues Band and Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band.
She hasn’t performed lately because of the pandemic. “I definitely miss singing in person, but being a health professional I also understand the concern for safety,” said Stover, 63, who grew up in Garfield and is a Peabody graduate.
“I love to be on stage,” she said. “I still have stage fright, but it’s not as bad.”
Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review
Blues singer, cancer survivor and nurse Freddye Stover is known locally as “Miss Freddye” for her vocal blues performances.
She’s entertained at many venues — from Memphis to intimate settings such as the Starlite Lounge.
“I really enjoy it all,” she said. “I love to feel the energy of the audience. I think all singers relish looking out and seeing the faces of those enjoying their music. Nothing can replace being there. Live music moves people.”
Pittsburgh musician Mike Sweeney has written many songs for Stover. The two are currently collaborating on a roots and blues CD Stover will be working on in 2021.
“I have always loved the blues,” Stover said. “I love the flow of blues music. The songs definitely tell a story. Blues music is raw, and it’s spiritual. It is so deep. That’s what I love about it.”
‘Lady of the Blues’
Stover is known as Pittsburgh’s award-winning “Lady of the Blues.” She was influenced by Koko Taylor, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Big Mama Thornton, Bessie Smith and Leavitt.
Her latest single, “Wade In The Water,” is about her faith. Stover was awarded as the 2016 best blues band by the Pittsburgh Music Awards. She’s been recognized with the Freedom From Silence award from the Center for Victims and honored by veterans organizations.
In 2008, she was the West Virginia Blues Society winner for best blues band and in 2012 was given the best duo and solo award from the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania. In 2018, she was named best emerging artist album by the Blues Foundation.
Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review
Miss Freddye sings at a past Pink Day fundraising event benefitting breast cancer in Leechburg. She is a cancer survivor and annual Pink Day participant.
She’s done charity work for American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Leechburg’s Pink Day, a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. She’s performed at the Sing to Stop Domestic Violence event.
In a normal year, you can catch her at Moondog’s and throughout the Allegheny-Kiski Valley, where she lived for 22 years in Natrona Heights, and in West Virginia, Ohio and Memphis.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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