Freddie (centre) is flanked by his mother Machida Sappleton (left) and sister Hazel. - Krista Henry photos

STAR of the Month Freddie McGregor went down memory lane recently when he returned to his home town of Top Hill district in Hayes, Clarendon.

Freddie makes as many trips back home as his schedule allows and was soon showing the STAR where he went to school and talking about how his community has changed.

While driving through the Top Hill district with his car window down, persons soon recognised the artiste and called out greetings to him.

At his family home, Freddie's mother Machida Sappleton was estactic to see her son. Machida gave Freddie a big hug as she enquired about her grandchildren. She was soon joined by Freddie's older sister Hazel and his brothers Kenny and Denrick.

Persons nearby soon heard that Freddie was home and the yard filled with community members, family and some of Freddie's former classmates.

Freddie took the STAR on a tour of the house, which he was in the midst of building for his family. He then visited the grave of his stepfather James Rodney.

Rodney passed away five years ago and Freddie was obviously very fond of him. "He was a real fun person. I miss him so much. he was really my father," Freddie said.

Moving on from the grave site the singer continued to tour the basement of the house where he had originally intended to build his Big Ship studio.

"Big Ship was suppose to be here, but the travelling back and forth wouldn't have worked out. But I'm still gonna set it up as a music room and call it Big Ship II," he said.

However, on the premises is a small studio that Freddie helped build which is run by an upcoming producer from the area.

Freddie was soon reminiscing on his long journey from Clarendon to Kingston at age seven.

Having always been fond of singing, Freddie was known around the community for songs such as Roll Dumpling Roll. He said, "I started tapping into my music from early and my mom she never opposed me, so I thought I was doing something right."

Freddie left home with older friends Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin of the Clarendonians, and went to Studio One in Kingston to pursue his music.

After spending a few days in Rollington Town with Wilson, Coxone Dodd, owner of Studio One soon took the youngster under his wings and Freddie became like a son to him.

Freddie stayed in Kingston from then on with his mother often visiting until his music career took off.

Freddie chats with his brother Kenny.