Hudson Valley, New York- based NYFA (New York Foundation For The Arts) grant recipient Fred Gillen Jr. writes and sings songs with messages of hope, love, and spiritual transformation wrapped up in stories of the struggles and triumphs of the human condition. Perhaps his musical artistry is best described by New York Times writer Tom Staudter: "Gillen understands that his musical artistry isn't cookie-cutter stuff, but in the purest sense of the folk tradition he forges ahead, idiosyncrasies and all, a storyteller with rough truths to impart."

An extremely prolific songwriter, Gillen has released five full-length CD's and two e.p.'s independently in the past nine years to great critical acclaim, including his latest full-length release "Gone Gone Gone." His inspired and spontaneous live performances have built him an extensive following on the east coast and beyond. Having toured in most of the U.S.A., as well as Germany, Czech Republic, and Ireland, Gillen is equally comfortable on a huge festival stage, in an intimate house concert, or at almost any venue in between. For three straight years Gillen was voted "Best Folk Artist" by the readers of Westchester Weekly in that publication's readers' poll, and is well-respected by his peers in the folk music community.

Besides performing solo/ acoustic shows, Gillen is a member of Hope Machine. Hope Machine performs "rabble-rousing, folk-rock, native-americana, industrial-rockabilly, foot-stompin'-songs for peace and justice," in a style that can only be described as a "Traveling Hootenanny." The group began as a Woody Guthrie tribute, and is still endorsed by the Woody Guthrie Foundation, though they now incorporate some of their own songs, along with Woody, Pete Seeger, traditional, and any other songs which fit the moment.

The group recently released its first CD "March." Gillen has also recently joined the Matt Turk band as bassist, and is performing some acoustic shows as the duo "Gillen & Turk" with Matt.

Having served as president of the non-profit organization Tribes Hill for two and a half years, and currently serving on the organization's board, Gillen has also done a great deal to promote and encourage other artists in the Hudson Valley and build up a thriving music scene there.

A long-time engineer and producer of independent recordings, Gillen recently renovated his studio "Woody's House," and has recently worked on CD's by James Durst, Steve Kirkman, Scott Urgola, Work 'O The Weavers, Anthony DaCosta, and Steve Chizmadia there.