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ABOUT THE BAND
Soaring vocals,
World-class soloists,
And the tightest rhythm section in all the land!
Kelly Visten, vocals; Mark Dodge, guitars/vocals;
Andy Carr, keys/vocals; Mark Kelly, woodwinds;
Tom Anastasio, bass; and Chris Leighton on drums.
Upscale 60s & 70s classic rock, classic country, funky instrumentals
Our singer, Ms. Kelly Visten, a veteran Skagit Valley vocalist and actor,
is co-star of the Skagit franchise of the Always Patsy Cline show.
Mark Kelly on woodwinds founded the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band, and
like all of us, plays in many bands. When Mark takes a solo, people take
notice. Tom Anastasio played bass, made a record and spent time on the
road with Asleep at the Wheel. Tom is a master of fingerstyle funk. Our
drummer won the Washington Blues Society's top award so many times,
they gave up and named it "The Chris Leighton Blues Drummer Award."
Andy Carr is among the top musicians in the Northwest, having played
with virtually every jazz band and singer in the area. Andy is a stunning
soloist, and might whip out a Bach fugue if you ask. He is amazing playing
classic rock. Mark Dodge is a road-tested multi-instrumentalist
and vocaist who plays lead guitar and tries his best to keep
these amazing musicians working and happy.
ORIGINS
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 dance gigs in 2016. Originally conceived
to play New Orleans funk and rock (hence the name), the band has developed
a primordial dockload of all-season upscale classic rock.
BAND BIOS
Featuring (left to right):
Andy Carr on keys and vocals, is a world-class jazz and classical 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 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 & Swingnuts Jazz, The
Joe & Kelly Band, and Mary Ellen Lykins & the C.C. Adams Band.
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 local
theater community, is the co-star of Skagit county's annual "Always Patsy
Cline" franchise, and sings in the very popular Joe & Kelly duo.
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 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 Sharp Five
Jazz Collective; and is always in demand as a first-call soloist.
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 Pals:
Keith Stone - woodwinds
Cary Stevens - drums
Fat Fridays Alumni:
Walt Burkett - bass
Don Kellogg - drums
Jack Stafford - woodwinds
James Clark - bass
Thomas Kemper - drums
- Past Shows -
- 2 0 2 5 –
The Old Edison - Sat, Jan 11, 8-10:30pm - Bow-Edison
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jan 13, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Feb 3, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Feb 24, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Mar 17, St Pat's Day 11am-3pm - Arlington
The Rockfish Grill - Sat, Mar 29, 7:30-10pm - Anacortes
Third Place Commons - Fri, Apr 4, 7-9pm - Lake Forest Park
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Apr 14, 11am-3pm - Arlington
- 2 0 2 4 –
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jan 1, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Crossroads Market Stage - Fri, Jan 19, 7:00-9:00pm - Bellevue
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jan 29, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Mar 4, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Mar 18, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Apr 15, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Third Place Commons - Fri, Apr 19, 7-9pm - Lake Forest Park
The Rockfish Grill - Sat, Jun 1, 7:30-10pm - Anacortes
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jun 10, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Jul 8, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Aug 5, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Summer Nights Concerts - Fri, Aug 16, 6-8pm - Burlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Sep 2, 11am-3pm - Labor Day - Arlington
Burlington Fall Fest - Sun, Sep 29, 1-2:30pm - Skagit River Park, Burlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Sep 30, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Oct 14, 11am-3pm - Indigenous People's Day - Arlington
The Rockfish Grill - Sat, Oct 26, 7:30-10pm - Anacortes
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Nov 11, 11am-3pm - Veteran's Day - Arlington
Skagit Valley Eagles - Sat, Nov 23, 7-10pm - Burlington
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Dec 2, 11am-3pm - Arlington
Shelter Bay Yacht Club - Sat, Dec 7, 5-9pm - Commodore's Ball - LaConner
Angel of the Winds casino - Mon, Dec 23, Christmas Eve-Eve 11am-3pm - Arlington
Skagit Valley Eagles- Tues, Dec 31, New Year's Eve 8pm-12am - Burlington
- 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
