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ABOUT THE BAND
A friend at a recent show asked jokingly if we knew any Rush; he knew
that we didn't. I said, "you know we play, um, softer rock." He corrected
me saying, "yacht rock." Really? Is that what we play? Turns out a bunch
of official yacht rock artists appear on our songlist. We play great songs
with deep grooves, sweet melodies, cool chord changes, heartfelt lyrics.
We call it "jazz-infused rock and blues," or the hyphenated "roots of
yacht rock:" classic soft-rock, folk-rock, jazz-rock, and country-rock.
Whatever it's called, this band keeps listeners engaged and the dance
floor filled, with soaring three-part harmonies, world-class jazzoid
soloists on keys and horns, solid rockers on guitars and vocals, and
the tightest rhythm section in all the land!
ORIGIN STORY
Established in 2014 by Mark Dodge with Andy Carr, The Fat Fridays began
as a recording project. With over 100 covers and originals "in the can,"
the band began playing regular four-hour dance gigs at Angel of the Winds
casino in 2016. Originally conceived to play New Orleans funk and rock,
The Fat Fridays eventually evolved into a megaboat of primordial dancehall
rock. Beyond the casino, the band played fairs and festivals, banquets and
barrooms, concerts and cocktail hours, from Anacortes to Bellevue.
In 2023, the band played a record number of shows, and added
the fabulous Ms. Kelly Visten on vocals.
The Fat Fridays are on a roll.
BAND BIOS
Featuring (left to right):
Kelly Visten on vocals is a founding member of one of Skagit County's
most popular bands, Mama Dirty Skirt. She is well-known in the regional
theater community, is the co-star of Skagit county's annual "Always Patsy
Cline" franchise, and sings in the very popular Joe & Kelly duo.
Andy Carr on keys and vocals, is a world-class jazz pianist, arranger,
and accompanist who performs with the A’Town Big Band, Whistle Lake Jazz
Quartet, Herding Kats Jazz Nonet, Joan Penney, Spike Wilder and Swingnuts
Jazz, and more.
Mark Kelly on woodwinds is a Whatcom County icon, a renowned music
educator, founder and director of the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band; a member
of The Atlantics, The Makedonians, The Alicia Dauber band, The Holmes Shea
Band; and is always in demand as a first-call soloist.
Tom Anastasio played with Seattle's New Deal Rhythm Band back in the
day, as well as Austin, Texas' Asleep at the Wheel, appearing on their
"Pasture Prime" album. He's a first-call bassist in Bellingham, and
plays with Cardova, the Alicia Dauber band, and others.
Mark Dodge on guitar and vocals is a veteran multi-instrumentalist and
former full-time road warrior who produces recordings in his Camano Island
studio, and plays in Fidalgo Swing, Spike Wilder and Swingnuts Jazz, The
Alan Hatley Band, and Mary Ellen Lykins and the C.C. Adams Band.
Chris Leighton is one of Seattle's best and most prolific working drummers.
Chris won the Washington Blues Society's Best Drums award nine times, so
they named the award after him. He toured the world with Bill Frisell,
Ironhorse, and the Laura Love Band. He plays locally with Rod Cook and
Toast, The Usual Suspects, and a great many others.
Fat Fridays Alumni:
Walt Burkett - bass
Don Kellogg - drums
Jack Stafford - woodwinds
James Clark - bass
Thomas Kemper - drums
- Past Shows -
A special event every time!
- 2 0 2 3 –
We released our fourth CD - Rise - in January 2023!
The Rockfish Grill - Sat, Feb 4, 2023, 7:30-10:00pm Anacortes
Crossroads Market Stage - Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 7-9pm Bellevue
Angel of the Winds casino - Thu, Mar 16, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, May 1, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, May 15, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Third Place Commons - Fri, May 26, 2023, 7:00-9:00pm Lake Forest Park
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, May 29, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jul 10, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Aug 7, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Aug 21, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Sep 4, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Oct 16, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Oct 30, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Nov 13, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Nov 27, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
The Shelter Bay Yacht Club's Commodore Ball - Sat, Dec 2, 2023, 8pm LaConner
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Dec 11, 2023, 11am-3pm Arlington
The Rockfish Grill - Sat, Dec 23, 2023, 7:30-10:00pm Anacortes
Third Place Commons - Sat, Dec 30, 2023, 7:00-9:00pm Lake Forest Park
- 2 0 2 2 –
Crossroads Market Stage - Fri, Mar 4, 2022, 7-9pm Bellevue
Third Place Commons - Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 7-9pm Lake Forest Park
Blast from the Past - Fri, Jun 3, 2022, Noon-2:30pm Sedro-Woolley
The Skagit County Fair - Fri, Aug 12, 2022, 6-8pm Mount Vernon
Crossroads Market Stage - Sat, Oct 1, 2022, 7-9pm Bellevue
Third Place Commons - Fri, Oct 14, 2022, 7-9pm Lake Forest Park
- 2 0 2 0 / 2 0 2 1 –
We released our third CD - Brainshadow - in June 2020!
Some other stuff happened.
- 2 0 1 9 –
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Jan 28, 2019, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Feb 11, 2019, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Mar 4, 2019, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Tax Day: No Taxation Without Recreation! Mon, Apr 15, 2019, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, May 6, 2019, 11am - 3pm Arlington
- 2 0 1 8 –
We released our second CD - Maybe Wednesday - in 2018!
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Dec 10, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Nov 26, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Halloween Costume Party! - Mon, Oct 29, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Celebrating two years at the Angel - Mon, Sep 24, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Aug 13, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Sedro-Woolley Summer Concert Series - Sun, Jul 29, 2018, 6 - 8pm Sedro-Woolley
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, May 7, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Feb 12, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Jan 8, 2018, 11am - 3pm Arlington
- 2 0 1 7 –
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Dec 18, 2017, 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Sept 25, 2017 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Aug 28, 2017 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, July 31, 2017 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Jan 2, 2017 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
- 2 0 1 6 –
We released our first CD - Never on Tuesday - in 2016!
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Dec 12, 2016 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Nov 21, 2016 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Oct 24, 2016 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Angel of the Winds Casino - Mon, Sept 19, 2016 @ 11am - 3pm Arlington
Pub 282 - Fri, Sept 2, 2016 @ 7:00 Camano Island
The Skagit County Fair - Wed, Aug. 10, 2016 @ 3:30 In concert on the main stage
Pub 282 - Fri, June 17, 2016 @ 7:00 Camano Island
Pub 282 - CD release celebration - Fri, April 15, 2016 @ 7:00 Camano Island
- 2 0 1 5 –
Private Party - Sun, July 7, 2015 @ 1:00 The Grand Willow, Mount Vernon
