Fred Brown, a musician and Lyft driver, wrote his new song Congratulations inspired by the students he ferried throughout the Philadelphia region, write Rosie Leonard and Matthew Aquino for The Temple News.
The 64-year-old often picked up students at Temple University’s Main Campus and listened to them discuss their stress around life and school. He would then attempt to ease their worries by reminding them about the things they had already achieved, such as making it to the end of a semester.
Those conversations inspired him to turn this advice into a song that would encourage students and remind them that making it through high school, semester, or even a day already makes them winners.
He then came up with a melody and started playing his song to his passengers, asking for comments or ideas on what he could improve.
The song was an instant hit among students who encouraged Fred Brown to release it to the public.
While he is still working on the final version of the song, he was invited by Diane Turner, curator at the Blockson Collection, to premiere it this month during the virtual event honoring artist Alfie Pollitt.
Read more about Fred Brown’s song in The Temple News.
