The Fat Fridays
The Fat Fridays are a tribute band with ADHD, paying tribute, one song at a time, to great songwriting and killer dance grooves. World-class, award-winning musicians drawing sustenance through the hyphenated roots of yacht rock: classic folk-, jazz-, country-, and soft-rock. Keeping listeners engaged and the dance floor filled with a wide variety of upscale classics from the likes of Steely Dan, Linda Ronstadt, Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, Patsy Cline, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Grover Washington Jr., Carole King, and Only the Good Originals(tm). Soaring three-part harmonies, world-class jazzoid soloists, and the tightest rhythm section in all the land!
Kelly Visten on vocals was 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, gave us a memorable “Auntie Em,” 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, 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.
