Biografie

His last name Hammond, is his adopted name from his step-father Raymond Hammond. Before his birth, his mother Mildred was married to another man and became involved in an extra-marital affair which lead to her pregnancy with Fred. Her first husband left her. On a Radio show with Donnie McClurkin, Fred revealed that his mother had shared a dark secret with him before her death. After her first husband left her, she attempted to have Fred aborted. In 1960, she went to an illegal abortion clinic and had the procedure done. When it failed, she informed the clinic and rescheduled an appointment to "correct mistake." After a failed second attempt, she took this as a sign from God that this baby was supposed to be born and left the clinic. She gave birth to Fred in 1961. Some time after he was born, she married Raymond Hammond and gave birth to two sons Raymond Jr. and Dave. Raymond Sr. died of bowel cancer at the age of 32, when Fred was only 8 years old.

For each album that he has recorded, Fred laid down the bass tracks for most of the songs himself in the studio, but for live performances had another bass player.

He has won 6 Dove awards, 4 Stellar awards and one Grammy. He was been nominated 19 times for the Stellar Awards, 12 times for The Grammy's and once for the Soul Train awards.

When he started Commissioned, the group consisted of 6 members; 3 singers (Karl Reid, Keith Staten & Mitchell Jones) and 3 musicians (Fred Hammond, Michael Williams & Michael Brooks.) Fred doubled as a musician and singer; playing bass and singing at the same time. Michael Brooks was the Keyboardist and Michael Williams, the drummer. Eventually, Commissioned took on two extra musicians to tour with them. Brothers Earl Wright (Keyboards) and Michael Wright (Guitar). Keith Staten and Michael Brooks left the group in 1990 and 3 new members were brought on. Marvin Sapp took Keith's place as a vocalist and Maxx Frank & Eddie Howard Jr. became the Keyboardist and Organist for the group. (bringing the group 7 Members) After Eddie Howard left the group, Fred brought on two more keyboardists for the group's live performances; Producers Tommie Walker and Noel Hall. After Fred left Commissioned in 1995, Tommie Walker and Noel Hall went with him to become apart of Radical for Christ. Noel Hall served as Fred's musical director for 6 years as well as song writing and producing. Tommie walker played Aux keys and worked alongside Fred Producing and song writing as well.

Has one daughter BreeAnn with his ex-wife Kim, and adopted a boy named Darius a.k.a. "Bubba.".