John Cruz and Ralph Esposito of Fender host this event every year during NAMM. Its a fund raiser for the Fender Center's Kids Rock free program. It was held at Loffler's in Anaheim on Friday and Saturday, January 20th AND 21st.

"We want to thank everyone, family and friends,(without them FRET FEST would not happen). Dennis Galuszka, Tony Baca, Chuck Paul, Fred "DOGG" Connor, John Connor, "Red Dave" Nichols, John English, Debbie Rodriguez and all at The FENDER CENTER, my awesome kids, (who would do anything to help their dad including busting their @#!$'s just for the chance to contribute at FF), my daughter Celeste Shaffer("the Raffle Girl") my son Jeff Esposito (the utility guy), all the guys at the Custom Shop, Mark and Jim at WILD WEST GUITARS, GRAZIANO'S, FENDER, all the bands and musicians that contribute their talents even at a moments notice if need be, SENSE MACHINE, SCB, RICK BERTHOD AND THE PERSUADER BAND, SWITCHBACK, A FUNCTION OF X, SLACKTONE, GARY HOEY, KIRSTEN PROFFIT, MERLE JAGGER, THE UNITED BLUES BAND, JEFF SCOTT SOTO, EDDIE OJEDA (whose father passed away this last week), and of coarse the Loffler family. If you guys ever get the opportunity, come check out FRET FEST. You'll have a great time and you'll be contributing to a great cause. The KIDS ROCK FREEŽ music education program. This year's FRET FEST was dedicated to the memory of a true friend and a major contributor to the guitar industry Steve "BOLIE" Boulanger. We all miss you."
Ralph Esposito