CM Events

Band - Pressure Point

Pressure Point Band

A premiere Portland, Oregon based variety dance band for weddings, company parties, and other special events. More about Pressure Point.

Band - A New Groove

The amazing vocals of Leisa Hart and Jarrod Lawson, backed by an all star cast of musicians.  More on the variety dance band A New Groove.

DJ - Media Jockeys

media jockeys dj service image

The highest quality mobile disc jockey service in the northwest. More on the Media Jockeys DJ service.

Jazz - Michael Winkle

Recording artist Michael Winkle is a fabulous singer of great songs. More about jazz vocalist Michael Winkle.

Dance - Dance That

Individuals and couples dance instruction. Specializing in first dances for weddings, Latin, Ballroom and more.  Read more about Dance That.

Fret Drifters

cme imageHailing from Southern Oregon, The Fret Drifters are acoustic guitar wizards known for their joyous high energy shows and their virtuoso "anything goes" approach to playing. Featuring renowned finger-style guitarist Andy Casad and the dynamic Nick Garrett- Powell on lead guitar, vocals, and mandolin. The Fret Drifters dazzle and captivate crowds of all sizes with an innovative and uniquely jaw-dropping style you will find nowhere else and not soon forget.

 

The Fret Drifters DuoThe Fret Drifters create a multi-textual soundscape utilizing just two guitars. Drumming on the body of one guitar while mesmerizing two-handed tapping on the neck of the other guitar make this fusion of organic grace, brilliant rhythms, and contagious melodies of The Fret Drifters a truly one of a kind act to see! 

Developing their techniques independently, Andy Casad and Nick Garrett-Powell both specialize in the extremes of eclectic guitar techniques like two-hand 8-finger tapping, slap-pop guitar and self-accompaniment drumming on the guitar body.

Celebrated finger style guitarist Andy Casad is joined by lead guitarist and vocalist Nick Garrett-Powell where they create new musical textures on guitar through any means necessary. Playing together as The Fret Drifters since 2010, they've performed as the opening act for Tommy Emmanuel, Eric Johnson, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Craig Chaquico, David Grisman, Trevor Hall, Cas Haley (NBC's "America's Got Talent,") and Leroy Bell (NBC'S "The Voice,") and many more! The foot-stomping and room shaking energetic boys put on a powerful and diverse show for all audiences while demonstrating how much fun you can have beating the crap out of your guitar!


The Fret Drifters DuoGuitarist Andy Casad was shopping for strings at Guitar Center when he met sales rep and fellow guitarist Nick Garrett-Powell.

"He (Garrett-Powell) asked me what kind of strings I needed and what kind of music I played," Casad recalls. "I said, 'I kinda just beat the crap out of my guitar,' and he smiled and said, “That's what I do too.” We went back to the showroom where they keep the acoustic guitars, and we had a li'l jam that sparked everything." At the time, Casad was desperate for a new guitarist for his duo, The Fret Drifters. His former guitarist, Ben Comer, had left for college, and Casad needed someone to fill in for several scheduled gigs, including opening Floater at the Rogue Theatre and for Michael Franti at Britt. Garrett-Powell was a godsend and picked up where Comer left off.

"We got bored playing standard chords," Casad says. "During our live shows, in addition to eight-finger tapping, we're head banging and dancing and moving to our music. Whatever we're feeling, we're playing."

Earlier this year, the duo submitted a video of their recent single, "Love Your Lover," to the International Musicians Exchange and, from the 15 acts that competed, were selected to perform at the Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival next February in Australia.

The forthcoming album will feature instrumental and vocal tracks, characterized by the duo's rapid-fire riffs and signature percussion techniques, with elements of contemporary folk, blues, pop and roots music. In concert, the duo plays a similar mix of styles, including new arrangements of songs by Robert Johnson, the Steve Miller Band and Van Morrison.

"Once, I took a jazz piece that I wrote, and we put a Nine Inch Nails cover to it," Casad says. "You never know what you're going to get at a Fret Drifters' show."


Additional information may be available by contacting CMEvents.

Download Name Play Size Length
download Gravitate
Fret Drifters

5.7 MB 4:07 min

http://youtu.be/-u3xNv8jajA Fret Drifters live video

http://youtu.be/Yv-yvlKbfcc Fret Drifters 2013


Audio and video samples may be available by contacting CMEvents.

“Nothing but love!” is the memorable phrase you will hear during any encounter with The Fret Drifter’s front man Andy Casad, whose talent equally matches his well mannered and friendly demeanor. This is also the feeling an audience will get when The Fret Drifters play to the ears and eyes of the widely respected Britt Festival and other popular Southern Oregon hot spots.

The Fret Drifters are most notably popular for their intricately beautiful and musically technical pieces that leave many musicians tossing their lesson plans out the window in frustration. The combination of precision percussion and mandolin lay the foundation for Andy’s unique blend of guitar techniques that include finger picking, two handed tapping, and the use of his guitar body as a hand drum. More often than not, all three techniques are used simultaneously or back to back, creating not only an entertaining visual spectacle, but the illusion that there are 3 guitarists on stage. Despite a majority of their recognition stemming from instrumental acoustic compositions, The Fret Drifters have been known to surprise their audience with perfectly placed songs featuring the well rounded vocal ability of Nick Garrett-Powell.

As a musician and fellow music lover, I believe there is no reason to not be peeling your jaw off the floor and tapping your foot after a performance by the dynamic acoustic trio known as The Fret Drifters. Stay on the look out for their next performance, you won’t want to miss out!” 

Ivory Harp review www.ivoryharp.com 


 

Additional reviews may be available by contacting CMEvents.

Use the form below to request more information, a schedule check, price quote etc.

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Use the form below to request more information, a schedule check, price quote etc.

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Wedding Services

First Dance Instruction:

For some, dancing is a big part of the wedding reception. However, most people are not blessed with innate dancing skills and therefore could benefit from professional dance instruction. Whether the goal is simply to feel comfortable and confident on the dance floor or to create a one-of-a-kind first dance to impress, we can help. Dance That has on staff, professional dance instructors skilled in Latin, Swing, Ballroom, and various other popular styles. The lessons are affordable and the instructors are patient and very people oriented.

Our dance lessons are a fantastic investment in the overall success of your wedding reception!

Promotional offers available in connection with the booking of any DJ service!

http://www.dancethat.com

Contact Us

Celebration Music and Events
www.cmevents.com
Address: 5883 SE Quiet Meadows Dr. | Milwaukie, OR 97267
Phone: 503-234-2492 | Mobile: 503-680-5201 
Email:


 

 

Event Advice

A Classy I-pod Event?:

Biased you say? Maybe. Regardless, its clear to me that an event “DJed” by an I-pod is only marginally cooler than one that was “DJed” by a walkman in the 80's. Now you are probably scratching your head and trying to remember a time when you went to a cool event that was “DJed” by a walkman. You probably can’t think of any. Why? Well, as cool as walkmans were, and as cool as I-pods are, they just aren’t very good at moving sound equipment, making announcements, reading a crowd, interacting with guests and the whole entertainment thing in general.

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