ABOUT

DORIS FIDDMONT FRAZIER
BIOGRAPHY

If ever there was a model for inspiration, hope, love, and keeping the faith, it is Doris Fiddmont Frazier. Whether she’s sitting behind a grand piano during a sermon or dynamically stringing together the notes of a gospel song, Doris is rightfully considered one of St. Louis’ most beloved, well-respected, and cherished citizens.

For 75 years, this nonagenarian has delivered many nuggets of wisdom. These have been derived from her lived experiences as well as the music of her heart and soul. The globally applauded singer “walks in the sunshine and never in shadow,” as passionately sung on one of her albums. She believes “there is no limit” when you “set the Lord before you in all thine ways [as] He will direct your path,” as established in Psalm 23.

FAMILY & FAITH

(THE FIDDMONTS)

Doris Arlene Fiddmont was born on May 8, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the 9th child of James E. and Lucy Barnett Fiddmont. Her 11 siblings are Jack William (J.W.), Lavern, Robert Littleton, Vera Mae, Nina Vernita, James E., Jr., Frederick C., Haarlan Day, Grace Darling, Charles Ballard, and Norman Samuel. 

Hailing from Arkansas, James and Lucy moved to St. Louis in 1921. They settled in the Richmond Heights / Maplewood area where James worked as a pullman with the railroad company. He also served as minister of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church for 32 years. Lucy supported her family as a homemaker while performing many roles in the church. These included teaching bible study, singing in the choir, and helping with the Sunbeam Children’s Choir. 

A good education, an appreciation of music, and the importance of faith were infused into Doris from an early age. While attending Lincoln Elementary School in Richmond Heights, MO, she began taking piano lessons at age 9. She was under the direction of Ms. Bertha Black Rhoda, a prominent teacher of the day. Her family could barely afford the 25¢ lessons, and they certainly couldn’t afford to purchase a piano for Doris. Still, Doris’ mother knew there was something special about her daughter. Doris was determined, and she created a cardboard piano so she could practice daily. Doris also developed her singing with the Sunbeam Choir at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. By her early teens, she was regularly playing at Old Community Baptist Church in Webster Groves, MO. 

Her musical skills improved even further at Douglas High School in Webster Groves, MO. Here, Doris began studying under the musical direction of Kenneth Billups, who taught Doris how to direct a choir and improve as a vocalist. 

Doris often joined her high school classmates on annual trips to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO for choir competitions. During one of these competitions, Doris met a young suitor named Clifford H. Frazier from Chesterfield (Westland Acres). He would later become a significant part of her life’s journey. 

Doris excelled in competitive singing events. During her senior year, Mr. Billups taught her “Pace, Pace Mio Dio,” an Italian song written by Giuseppe Verdi. She sang it for a contest at the Berea Presbyterian Church and won 1st place. 

Doris and Cliff dated throughout high school. During this time, she made several trips to Westland Acres where she would play music and direct the choir at Union Baptist Church of Chesterfield. She would also aid the community by substitute teaching at the one-room African American school known as African School #4. 

After graduating from Douglas High School in 1949, Doris attended Lincoln University. She majored in music under the great Dr. Oscar Anderson Fuller, the first black Doctor of Philosophy in Music in America. 

The Fraziers

(CLIFF & DORIS)

Doris and Cliff married in 1950. From this union, 6 children were born. Sheryl, Clifford Jr., Irene, twins Michele and Maria, and Kristi. Both remained committed to raising their family, worshipping, supporting community development, and fighting for civil rights together. 

In addition to playing piano for several churches over the years (including First Baptist Church of Chesterfield, First Baptist Church of Creve Coeur, and Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Richmond Heights), Mrs. Frazier also held many civic positions. She worked in the Department of Finance, the US Records Center, the Aeronautical Chart Company, the Human Development Corporation in St. Louis County (Metroplex), the East West Gateway (as a ride share coordinator), as well as the Internal Revenue Service (as a taxpayer advocate). After her time with the IRS, she retired in 1993. However, Doris remained self-employed in retirement, teaching piano to as many as 35 students. She continues teaching to this day. 

In the 1970s, Doris collaborated with Christian vibraphonist Ruth Anderson. She performed on the album Praise God, Give God the Glory as the featured pianist and singer. This was her first professional recording experience. 

She shared her desire to record an album with her father, Rev. James E. Fiddmont. On his deathbed at Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, he encouraged his daughter to pursue her ambitions. Shortly after, Doris and her siblings formed a professional gospel singing group known as “Doris Frazier & the Fiddmont Singers.” 

The group was mostly composed of 2nd and 3rd generation members of the Fiddmont family. This included Doris Frazier, Grace Fiddmont Davis, Charles Fiddmont, Norman Fiddmont, Cliff H., Jr., Denise Davis, and Irene Frazier, as well as two adopted brothers, Morris Atkinson and Richard Hollins. The group was highly requested by churches, organizations, and private events near and far. 

In addition to performing live, the Fiddmont singers recorded inspirational and encouraging songs based upon the Word of God. Impressively, many of these songs were written by Cliff and Doris as a husband/wife team. Cliff would pen the lyrics, and Doris would put them to original melodies. 

The group released 4 gospel albums: What Love We Share Together (1974), What Love We Share Together Part Two (1975), Make Today Count – Recorded Live (1978), and I’ve Been Touched (1980). They also recorded the single “It’s Time” in 2001, inspired by the tragic events of 9/11. 

They toured in cities across America, including Chicago, IL, Chesapeake, VA, Charlotte, NC, Chesterfield, VA, Los Angeles, CA, Oakland, CA, Vallejo, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Vacaville, CA, Kansas City, KS, Buffalo, NY, New York, NY, Detroit, MI, Indianapolis, IN, Milwaukee, WI, Denver, CO, and many more. 

Unfortunately, Doris lost her daughter, Sheryl J., in 1977, her lifelong love and husband of 63 years, Cliff H., Sr., in 2010, and her only son, Cliff H., Jr., in 2014. Nevertheless, Doris’ faith in God and her unadulterated love for life causes her to remain joyous every single day. 

Home on ‘The Hill’

(WESTLAND ACRES)

At 91 years old, Doris remains active, independent, and ready for any task that calls to her. She continues to advocate for improving and preserving Westland Acres, the community where she continues to live. For reference, Westland Acres is now on Missouri’s “Places in Peril” list, compiled annually by the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation. 

Doris continues to speak with church and community groups, play piano, sing, and teach music. As the assistant music director of Union Baptist Church of Chesterfield, she can still transform any crowd into an instant mass choir when she pops up to direct them. 

Recently, Doris was integral in restoring the oldest African American one-room schoolhouse in Missouri, African School #4. This brings Doris full circle, as she was a substitute teacher at the schoolhouse during the late 1940s. 

Doris A. Fiddmont Frazier has always been and will always remain a shining beacon in all our hearts. She exemplifies a love of God, family, and neighbors, as expressed through her service, fellowship, and song. 

Doris will celebrate her 92nd birthday on May 8, 2023. 

Distinguished Positions and Achievements

  • Member of Westland Acres Community Development Association 
  • Substitute teacher at the African School #4, recently restored and housed at Faust Park, St. Louis County Parks and Recreation 
  • Helped lead the charge for desegregation of Rockwood District 
  • Distinguished Citizen of American Cancer Society 
  • American Red Cross Awardee 
  • Veiled Prophet Organization Honorable Awardee 
  • Spokeswoman for Elijah P. Lovejoy Society, appearing on national TV with Charles Osgood 
  • Honored for Civil and Human Rights in the Community by Elijah P. Lovejoy Society 
  • 3rd runner-up in Mrs. Senior St. Louis Competition 
  • Winner of Ms. Rubenesque Pageant sponsored by Mae Wheeler Foundation 
  • Co-organizer of the African American Festival, Faust Park with Mae Wheeler (2 years), St. Louis County Parks and Recreation 
  • Black Employment Counselor 
  • Creator of Internal Revenue Service Choir 
  • TV Host of Let My People Sing, Channel 24 KNLC 
  • Camp Musical Teacher (3 years) at the Danforth Foundation’s Camp Miniwanca, Stoney Lake, Michigan 
  • Featured in Let My People Sing publications 
  • Featured in From Whence We Come, a book about the history of Westland Acres 
  • Featured St. Louis Disappearing Black Communities, a book written by John A. Wright 
  • Awardee of 50 Pioneers, National Gospel Humanitarian Artist in the Church, Jimmy Jones and Lewis E. Clark, the Late Ester Fox Shipp 
  • Certificate of Appreciation from Mont. Community Church, Greeley Centers Board of Directors, the Gospel White Brothers 
  • Performed in O Freedom After While: The Story of Fannie Cook and the Sharecroppers’ Protest of 1939, a drama written/performed by Lynn Rubright and produced by the Missouri Historical Society 
  • Co-created “the Psalmers” community choir with pianist/songwriter Bernadette Randle 
  • Citizen of the Year Nominee for city of Chesterfield (2017) 
  • Created youth programs (Metroplex) to help St. Louis County communities fight poverty, program led to establishment of the Circle of Concern non-profit 
  • An original founder of the Circle of Concern 
  • Master Teacher of Missouri Art Council (Missouri Folk Arts) Gospel Music 
  • Member of the Gospel Music Association, directed the Gospel Workshop Choir under the direction of James Cleveland 
  • Planning Committee Member for Lincoln Elementary Historic Placeholder with the city of Maplewood / Richmond Heights 
  • Attended the Progressive Gospel Workshop under the Rev. J.D. Linton Featuring Dello Thedford 
  • Performed at Fox Hollow Folk Festival in Petersbergh, New York 
  • Speaker at Mound City Bar Association, regarding Westland Acres 
  • Human Rights Commissioner for city of Chesterfield 

The Musical Talents Continue

As architect of the Fiddmont-Frazier family’s musical success, Doris has passed down her talents to the younger generations. All of Doris’ children are singers who participate in professional live performances and album recording. Her nieces and nephews are also multi-talented singers, songwriters, arrangers, producers, musicians, and all-around creatives. 

Clifford H. Frazier, Jr. was a multi-talented son and dutiful father. He was an exceptional football athlete, inducted into the Hall of Fame at Lafayette High School and Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. He was team captain of the 1976 UCLA Rose Bowl champions under Dick Vermeil. He played professional football in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and the LA Rams. After graduating from UCLA with a Master’s Degree in Film and Television Production, he landed roles in HBO’s first original series, 1st and Ten. He also starred in the films House Party, North Dallas Forty, From Noon ‘Til Three. His other film credits can be found on his IMDB page. In addition to acting, he was a singer, pianist, and drummer who left this world far too soon. 

Clifford H. Frazier, III is a singer, songwriter, and producer. In addition to sharing his voice on the film Hairspray: The Movie (2007), he has released several musical projects. These include the EP, Got Frazier?, and the single, “To Be Loved,” by Jo Frazier. Other credits include writing and producing his family’s latest recording, “Hallelujah, My God,” as well as directing the biographical documentary, Compositions of Life: Doris A. Frazier. 

Irene Brown (Doris’ daughter) is an exceptional singer who began her recording journey with her mother at age 14. She was a soloist on What Love We Share Together, Doris’ 1st album. Later in her career, Irene sang backup vocals for Dennis Edwards (formerly of the Temptations) and auditioned as a background singer for Stevie Wonder. She also sang backup vocals for Lynne Fiddmont as well as several local bands. She is the lead vocalist on the Fiddmont family’s newest single, “Hallelujah, My God,” and she continues to sing with the choir at Union Baptist Church of Chesterfield. 

Denise Davis composed the title track of Doris’ 1st album, What Love We Share Together, at age 15. She also played guitar and sang on the track as a featured soloist. 

Frederick (Keith) Fiddmont (Doris’ nephew) is a professor at Santa Monica College. He is also a woodwind specialist who has recorded and/or performed live with musical legends such as Stevie Wonder, Luis Miguel, Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, James Brown, and the Temptations. 

Lynne Fiddmont (Doris’ niece) has shared her vocal gifts with such musical greats as Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Bill Withers, Phil Collins, and Barbra Streisand. On top of this, she has recorded her own lovingly crafted albums, including Flow and Lady: A Tribute to Billie Holiday. 

Courtney Lindsey (Lynne’s son) is a singer, songwriter, Christian rap artist (SunWhoaLove), and educator. He is also the owner/operator of Professor Whoa, an interactive curriculum for students of all ages. 

Alana Lindsey (Lynne’s daughter) is a member of the neo-soul recording group GAWD. She is also a background singer for several artists in Los Angeles, CA, including Anderson .Paak. 

Valerie Joi (Fiddmont) is often cited as “the one most like Doris.” She is a multi-talented pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, producer, and choral director. Her most inspirational musical moments include leading inmates in a song about forgiveness at a women’s prison correctional facility, soloing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, and singing background vocals for Quincy Jones at the 2016 Monterey Jazz Festival.  

Chuck B. Fiddmont is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and bass player. He is also the owner of Heavenly Glow Music. 

Charmaine Swimpson Broome (Doris’ great niece) is a singer who has recorded 4 full albums with Kirk Franklin. As a core alto, she has completed 6 world tours with the gospel superstar. She is also a loving wife, bonus mom, and children’s book series author. Additionally, she is the founder and CEO of Blended Families Rock, LLC. 

Darien Fiddmont is a musician and songwriter who has composed and recorded independent film scores. One such score was featured at the Cannes Film Festival. He also has experience as an audio engineer from his time at the Hard Rock Café. 

Justin Johnson is the CEO of Dream Is Grind Productions in Denver, CO. The company offers a wide array of services, including artist development, concert production, event planning and execution, networking, and marketing solutions to help individuals achieve their artistic potential. 

Jordan Norfleet is a singer, songwriter, and rapper (J-Starr). One noteworthy performance was his set at SXSW in 2019. 

Courtnie Norfleet participated in an elite singing club (Company B) while in high school. She choreographed theatre and performed in pop shows.

DORIS FIDDMONT FRAZIER​

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