“Struts & Frets” is an offshoot of the Christian Commie Cowboys. Son Struts is another incarnation of Christian Commie Cowboys “front-man” Tommy T. Payne. Teamed with Jamaica Queens, NYC native Freddy Frets, Struts & Frets’ music has been called “funk-spiced blazzountry (blues/jazz/country.”

By day, Freddy Frets is known as Chris, software developer. But in the 70’s, Mr. Frets played rhythm guitar around the Big Apple in funk bands (sadly, soon swamped by disco), and it’s still in his blood. Mr. Struts says, “My guitar hand hasn’t yet got the hang of funk, so unfortunately we don’t cover any James Brown, but Freddy’s funk feel adds a special flavor to our tunes. For instance, he adds propulsive “chicken scratches” on “Folsom Prison Blues” making it a really unique rendition along with my harmonica.”

Struts & Frets plays classic favorites such as “Choo-choo Boogie” and “Over the Rainbow”, along with Tommy T. Payne originals from his Christian Commie Cowboys CD. If there are a few kids in the room, they’ll throw in a blues version of “Twinkle, Twinkle” and a salsafied “This Old Man.” They will also DEBUT some songs planned for a future Commie Cowboy record, including “Bellyful of Love,” “Freaktown Parade,” and “Funanimal World.”