He started his future career by buying a guitar and teaching himself to play by singing along with records and studying songbooks.
At Scot's, Holstein first met and began mentoring younger fellow musician Steve Goodman.
He briefly tried making a living as a performer in San Francisco and Greenwich Village in New York City, but soon returned to Chicago.
[2] Fred had an easy-going stage presence, routinely tailoring set lists to friends birthdays or requests, but would not tolerate a disruptive audience and tell them to "shut up".
An anchor of the Chicago folk scene and a contemporary of Steve Goodman, John Prine, Bonnie Koloc.
[3] Holstein was known for his knowledge of several hundred songs and "instant recall," as well as being able to accompany himself on guitar, banjo, and twelve string.