“Who Says You Can’t Teach an Old Dog a New Trick or Two”

My Bio

Frank Moffatt

(Father of The Moffatts, author of the book 'Your Second Fifty' and CEO of YSF Publishing) was born September 5, 1954 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Frank has always enjoyed working with and helping others and began coaching at the early age of 13. His first coaching opportunity was to coach Saturday morning house league hockey for boys six (6) years of age and younger. Through his teen years Frank continued to coach various levels of hockey, baseball and soccer teams. Many of which won local and regional championships. At the age of 22 Frank moved to Faro, Yukon, where he worked for Cyprus Anvil Mines, married his first wife, Luann Lovlin, coached and participate in various sports and became active within local Steelworkers Union (one memorable moment was when the bargaining unit attained equal pay for women.)

History of The Moffatts

At the age of 30 Frank married his second wife, Darlana Jahrig (the mother of his 4 sons - Scott, and triplets Clint, Bob and Dave.) When Cyprus Anvil Mines closed in 1984 Frank and the family moved to Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. While living in Tumber Ridge, Frank resumed his passion for coaching minor and senior sports and brought the first Major Junior Hockey tryout camp (Portland Winter Hawks) to the northern region of Canada. It was also during the family’s time in Tumbler that little Dave (the youngest of the triplets) sparked what was to become the beginning of “The Moffatts” one of the most successful international touring Pop/Rock bands of the late 90’s. However the initial idea of having their sons perform had nothing to do with making money – the initial plan was to utilize the boys amazing gifts to assist charities (Timmy’s Telethon, David Foster Foundation, United Way etc.) and that is exactly what they did.

Four years after arriving in Tumber Ridge, Frank and the family moved to Victoria where Frank returned to college with the intent of attaining his degree and reentering the workforce to pursue a career as an HR manager. At first everything seemed to go according to plans; school during the day, hockey for the boys during the winter, baseball during the spring, soccer during the fall and the occasional charity singing performance on the weekend. That was until one evening, upon returning from school that Frank was greeted at the door by six year old Scott - guitar in hand. Scott said that he had spoken to another musician at an event the previous weekend and had been told that they could make a lot of money if he and his brothers busked (play for hand outs) down at Victoria’s Inner Harbor.

Frank’s initial reaction was the fear that he would be perceived as exploiting his children so he did what any good parent would do and told Scott “let’s talk about it after dinner” – hoping Scott would forget all about it. No such luck. As Frank sat down on the couch to study, Scott again asked if he could go and play for money. What could Frank say – Entrepreneurial textbook in hand - seriously!

Frank asked all the boys to join him at the kitchen table to discuss this idea. Scott said he wanted to make enough money to go to Disneyland, to which his brothers agreed – so the next logical step was to figure out how much a trip like this would cost. The total cost came to $8,000.00 (which included 10% to be given to The David Foster Foundation as a charitable donation). Undeterred the boys asked if they could start on Saturday? Frank agreed and the boys and Frank played one hour and when they tallied all the change it came to a whopping total of just shy of $1,000.00. To say the least Frank was amazed and to make a long story short eight weeks later they were in Disneyland, and to top it all off the boys sang on the Frontierland stage as well.

When they got home things returned to a semblance of normality, but little did Frank know the wick had just been lit on young Scott Moffatt’s musical aspirations. One night after dinner Scott asked if he and his brothers could make a record like his mom (Darlana at one time was considered within the top ten female country artists in Canada). Frank said to the boys that this was a big commitment and if they really wanted to do something like this they would have to promise to commit to sticking this out for 7 years from the day they signed a record deal as he would have to quit his job and take on the responsibility of managing the act (Statistics at the time showed it took between 7 and 10 years to establish a successful business – of course this was pre internet boom days.) All 4 little boys promptly agreed – little did they know what they had just got themselves into.

Their first tour consisted of 54 shows, throughout Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. It was during this tour that they met Alan Osmond of The Osmonds. Alan invited the boys to come to Banson, Missouri and perform at the Osmond Family Theater. However, prior to departing the boys attended the BC Country Music Awards, where the boys were nominated for six awards and while they didn’t win a single award they meet Nashville producer Robert Bryne, who expressed an interest in producing the boys.

The next week Frank and the boys jumped on the bus and 54 hours later arrived in Nashville. Robert produced two songs “It’s a Wonderful World” and “Do Wah Diddy.” Once the recording was completed they all jumped on the bus again and headed over to Branson to share the stage with one of the greatest vocal groups of all time – The Osmonds.

Two years later in 1995 after stints in Las Vegas and Branson as part of the cast of “Country Tonight” The Moffatts became the youngest band to ever sign a major label recording contract with Polydor Records in Nashville. They released two country music records (It’s a Wonderful World & The Moffatts) which had modest success. One notable point was that The Moffatts were the first act other than Garth to record a Garth Brooks song (When God Made You).

Three years later The Moffatts released a Pop Rock record which became the biggest selling record of all time in SE Asia and with the decline in record sales today it likely safe to say that distinction will remain throughout time.

Frank's Life After The Moffatts

In 2001 The Moffatts called it quits for numerous reasons. Frank believes now that the boys needed to find their own independence and personal identity. He said, “I don’t see it as a bad thing – it’s just the way it is and hopefully one day they will be able to see the magic that they had together and reunite for the enjoyment of the millions that still to this day appreciate the incredible music and what they had to offer to the world.”

During their first tour of Asia Frank was taken back by the extreme poverty in the region and made a commitment to return and teach once the boys were capable of living on their own. Committed to the Confucius statement, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Frank set out on his fiftieth birthday for Bangkok, to attain his TESOL certificate and to do his modest little part to enhance the lives of the people that had helped propel his sons to Super Stardom.

After attaining his certification Frank was asked to become a lead trainer and spent the next year assisting and running courses in New Zealand, China, Vietnam, France and Spain for Tefl International. http://www.tefllife.com

In 2006 Frank returned to the music business to manage Bob and Clint (Same Same) who had moved to Asia and signed a one year recording contract with SONY Music Thailand http://www.sonymusic.co.th.

In 2007 Frank took a temporary position as Director of Studies for Andrew Biggs Academy in Bangkok [http://www.andrewbiggs.com]. When the position came to a close Frank began to write the book “Your Second Fifty.” When the book was completed Frank took a position with Rohn Products International and as Assistant to the President filled numerous positions, from regional sales, to project coordinator to HR Manager for the Saudi Arabia Division.

Frank's Current Activities

In September of 2009 Frank opened YSF Publishing. The company 'Your Second Fifty Publishing' is dedicated to the well being, and potentiality of people living within the second fifty years of their life, thru self reflection and thru emphasizing the benefits of positive growth within their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions. That being said, the earlier in life one takes steps to enhance ones life the better ones chances are of reaping these rewards.