Fred Gill - Two Foot Fred: How My Life Has Come Full Circle

Country music celebrity Two Foot Fred shares his story of living with dwarfism, overcoming odds, and finding peace and success with a positive attitude.

D espite his physical limitations from birtha form of dwarfism known as diastrophic dysplasia, a cleft palate, clubfeet, and scoliosisFred Gill rose above his circumstances to graduate college and open his first restaurant by the young age of twenty-two.

In 1998, Fred took what proved to be a life-changing trip to Nashville during the citys annual country music celebration, where he met John Rich. That fateful meeting led to a regular job as Ambassador of Attractions for the band Big & Rich, as well as to numerous country music award shows and other television programs.

But while his successes are many, Fred has had more than his share of challenges, including a quarter-life crisis and troubles with depression, alcohol, and gambling. Like many other celebrities, Fred worked to find peace, turning to his small-town upbringing for solace and affirmation.

Two Foot Fred shows that nothing can defeat you unless you allow it to, and that our lives are simply what we make of them.

FRED GILL (Two Foot Fred) is known as the Ambassador of Attractions for the super duo Big & Rich due to his infamous stage presence and promotional work with the multiple-platinum act. Despite having a form of dwarfism known as diastrophic dysplasia and standing a mere thirty-eight inches tall, Fred has not and will not let anything stop him. Two Foot Fred is the consummate dot connector, jet-setter, and lover of life, believing that size truly is perception. Fred is also a successful entrepreneur, real estate tycoon, and country music icon. Along with appearing in the Big & Rich live show and in Big & Rich and other music videos, Fred believes in giving back; he participates in numerous charitable events in Nashville and beyond.

LISA WYSOCKY is an award-winning author, editor, and book designer, and she administers a small publishing company, Cool Titles. Lisa is the coauthor, with Brad Cohen, of Front of the Class (St. Martins Griffin), a project that garnered several book awards and was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie on CBS.

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I met Fred at a NASCAR race of all places. We instantly became friends and now that Ive read his story, I have more respect than ever for my giant buddy. He truly is awesome! NICK SWISHER, New York Yankees

Fred is a diminutive guy with a giant smile. He is also gracious and unstoppable. I highly recommend Two Foot Fred , the inspiring story of his life. DONALD TRUMP JR.

Ive been inspired over and over as I watch Fred never let his size deter him from anything. For a little dude, Fred lives as big a life as anyone I know. He is no doubt a force of nature. As for the rest of the legend of Two Foot Fred, Ill let Fred do the telling in this book. Hes a brother and I love him. BIG KENNY ALPHIN, Big & Rich

I hope this book inspires you as much as it and he inspire me! RICHIE SAMBORA, Bon Jovi guitarist, rock star

Every time I see Fred he tells me a new crazy story. I had no idea of the life hes lived and I can see why he has his own book! DARIUS RUCKER, award-winning country music star and lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish

I was touched to learn in his book that my music got Fred through a hard time in his life. Since Ive known Fred, he has a smile that I am always happy to see! JEWEL, Grammy-nominated recording artist

Fred is an awesome American character and I cant wait to read more of his story in his book. He has accomplished many feats that people would say are impossible. Im a believer. ZAC BROWN, lead singer of the Zac Brown Band

God created Fred a diastrophic dwarf, and if you know the analogy about lemons and lemonade, Fred is the quintessential lemonade maker. from the afterword by JOHN RICH

PRAISE FOR
TWO FOOT FRED

I met Fred at a NASCAR race of all places. We instantly became friends and now that Ive read his story, I have more respect than ever for my giant buddy. He truly is awesome!

Nick Swisher, New York Yankees

I met Fred on the set of The Celebrity Apprentice when he assisted John Rich with a challenge. At first I saw this sharply dressed diminutive guy with a giant smile and I wondered who he was there with. John Rich then introduced us. As youll read, Fred was born with a cleft palate and that gave us an immediate and unusual bond. One of my true passions is working with Operation Smile, a fantastic charity that supports kids born with cleft palates. Upon realizing this, Fred graciously offered to help any way he could, which blew me away. Crossing paths a few more times, Ive realized theres not much that can, or will, stop this guy!

Donald Trump Jr.

Ive been inspired over and over as I watch Fred never let his size deter him from anything. For a little dude, Fred lives as big a life as anyone I know. He is no doubt a force of nature. As for the rest of the legend of Two Foot Fred, Ill let Fred do the telling in this book. Hes a brother and I love him.

Big Kenny Alphin, Big & Rich

I met Fred several years ago in a VIP area at a Nashville venue. Unbeknownst to either of us, a few years later he would be appearing with Big & Rich as the opening act for two Bon Jovi shows in New Jersey. I hope this book inspires you as much as it and he inspire me!

Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi guitarist, rock star

Every time I see Fred he tells me a new crazy story. I had no idea of the life hes lived and I can see why he has his own book!

Darius Rucker, award-winning country music star and lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish

I was touched to learn in his book that my music got Fred through a hard time in his life. Since Ive known Fred, he has a smile that I am always happy to see!

Jewel, Grammy-nominated recording artist

Fred is an awesome American character and I cant wait to read more of his story in his book. He has accomplished many feats that people would say are impossible. Im a believer.

Zac Brown, lead singer of the Zac Brown Band

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Copyright 2012 by Frederick S. Gill

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Howard Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

All photographs courtesy of Frederick S. Gill.

First Howard Books hardcover edition June 2012