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Those who see the two perform would not know it , but Cassetta and his partner , Erik Botsford , have only worked — and known each other — for more than a year performing original and cover country and rock music .
It began in 2019 when the two were playing separate gigs at the Richmond Beer House and ended up sharing the stage one fateful night .
“ That is when the electric-dynamite-cosmos struck ,” Cassetta laughed .
“ He was opening for Bluegrass Band , and I picked up my bass and started slapping on it while he was doing Johnny Cash stuff ,” Botsford said .
“ It was like a big heart over both of our faces ,” Cassetta said before both let out a laugh .
However , it wasn ’ t until Cassetta came down with a cold which weakened his voice , that he would ask Botsford to join him on the crazy ride that would become NightshadE .
“ I got sick and was recovering , and my voice didn ’ t feel like it was where it needed to be ,” Cassetta recalled . “ I was like , ‘ Dude would you mind coming with me to this gig and backing me up ?’ ( Botsford ) said , ‘ Sure no problem .’”
While on the way to their first official gig in Harrodsburg , a very important question arose . What would they call themselves ? “ Well , I was wearing sunglasses , and the girl I was dating at the time , her grandson ’ s name is Shade , so she said , ‘ Why don ’ t you name it something after Shade ?’” Cassetta said . “ So I said , ‘ How about NightshadE ?’” “ I liked it ,” Botsford remembered . As they both recollect it , they got on the stage and rocked it out , and something just clicked for them both .
“ I remember leaving that night and thinking , ‘ What was that ?’” Cassetta asked with his eyes wide . “ It was like at that moment , we both knew that this was a thing . I get worked up just thinking about it .”
Now , in 2021 , the two are practically inseparable with a full schedule of shows to play .
The month of April ? Full . May ? Booked . The duo , who both have day jobs , have gigs scheduled in months as far as October that they are looking forward to .
In the past year since they have been performing , the group has been hosted at restaurants , breweries , private parties — and one of their favorite venues — charity shows .
The two have performed for a myriad of philanthropic purposes , including mental health awareness , Eastern Kentucky flood victims , Hannah ’ s Care Packages , food service workers unemployed during the pandemic , and Australian wildfires , to name a few .
One fundraiser called Savannah ’ s Kids was organized — and rescheduled two times — by the group for a Richmond mother-of-four , Savannah Spurlock , who was murdered several years ago .
But by the time it was able to be held , both Botsford and Cassetta said , the final event date was worth the wait .
According to Botsford , the event raised $ 2,803 -- nearly triple their goal -- with donations , raffle contributions , and donations from the Paddy Wagon employees .
“ Even before we started playing and got here ,” Cassetta recalled , “ We got a call of an anonymous $ 400 donation out of California .”
The show , and the funds raised from the simultaneous raffle for thousands of dollars worth of prizes , will go to the four children of Spurlock -- Noah , Jace , Zuri , and Zane .
“ It was ( worth the wait )!” Botsford said . “ The love outpouring from this community was amazing to see that night .”
Looking toward the future , the duo plan to release their own original album featuring songs written by each , and come together .
Until that is complete , they say they are just having a good time playing in their community together for their friends .
In the meantime , NightshadE ’ s destiny lies within the cosmos .
12 Madison Magazine May- June 2021