PHOTO:
Jerry Fretwell
Flute Maker & Performer
He is playing a Medium Size Flute tuned to the key of A and made from Aromatic Cedar.

Click Here - Listen to the Medium Size Flute ~ Key of A

"Thank You for taking the time to invite me into your day. Music is an ancient way to alter our consciousness and communicate with all our relations. It is used for meditation, healing, and therapy. The flute is always a spiritual experience for both me, the maker and you, the player. The flute is more than a wooden musical instrument. To play the flute, you must breathe with the flute. I've had people say it's just like Yoga. I am honored that my path has led me to be a maker of these wonderful instruments. I would love the opportunity to create a flute for you.

About My Introduction to Making Flutes

I am a native Virginian. I was born in Roanoke, VA. I was adopted at birth. My adopted mother told me that she met my birth mother several times and that she was eastern cherokee. I have tried to access the adoption records, to no avail. I am not a member of a federally-recognized Indian tribe. I am of cherokee descent.

I always felt like I didn't quite fit in. I turned to music at an early age. I began playing bass, guitar, and harmonica. I played on the road, nationally throughout the US during the 70's.

I have always had a passion for working with wood. I've built custom cabinets, collapsible drum stages and speaker cabinets. In the 90's my oldest son joined the band and we were ready to go back on the road again with our music. Then tragedy struck , Jeremy's son, Lucas, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Life stopped. We put everything on hold and waited. In the following year we were blessed with a miracle. We found out that Jeremy's second son, Andrew, was a perfect match bone marrow donor and, now, my grandson is better. He's living a normal life today.

It's funny how life sometimes guides you in different directions. During this time we still had band contracts to fill. Numerous personnel changes in the band led us to a guitar player by the name of Steve Bartha. The second practice he brought his Native American Flutes.

For me, it was love at first sound. I knew this was my calling. It was a perfect match between my musical gift and my wood working gift.

Now, years later, from our home and workshop in the peaceful woods by the spectacular Stockton Lake in Missouri, we make and sell flutes all over the world."

PHOTO: Jerry is playing a large Drone Flute made from Zebrawood. Drones are flutes that have two voices. You play your melody and the second voice accompanies you producing a surreal experience. Listen to the Large Drone Flute ~ Key of G - Click Here

Music has played a tremendous role all throughout my life. All of my memories are attached to whatever song I was listening to at the time. My musical tastes are very diverse. I like all styles of music with the exception of songs that make me feel angry and agitated (punk rock, screamin' at me metal or aggresive hip hop).

The songs I write are from my personal experiences and mostly about people that I have known in my life. For instance: Myanmar Terra, off of our 3rd CD was written because of the way I felt when viewing the video's of the devastation in Myanmar(Burma).

Whether you play Native American Flute or listen to the flute, my goal is to have you experience flying. For me, playing the flute lets me fly. Listen to our recent CD entitled Glidin' in the Updraft and you'll feel what I mean by flying.

My two greatest joys are: Teaching someone to play flute and knowing that my music has touched someone.

My grandfather was adopted into the Assiniboin Tribe, but I am not a member of a federally-recognized tribe.

Dream BIG, Live FULLY,

Lisa Fretwell

~ Makin' Music to Sleep by ~