About the Orchard Waterfront Concert Series

FINN PHOENIX

Finn Phoenix is a 10-year-old singer/songwriter who first picked up a ukulele in 2018 and has been strumming happily ever since, adding guitar in 2019. He enjoys both writing his own songs and singing popular folk and rock covers with a preference for music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Finn joined us at the Orchard earlier this season and was a crowd pleaser. We are excited to welcome him back for our musical roundtable on July 17th. 

CHRIS BONELLI 

Chris  began studying guitar in earnest at the age of 13 and was raised on a steady diet of Classic Rock and Folk music. He soon gravitated towards more experimental and improvisational genres: jazz, reggae, and jam band. Today, the depth and breadth of his influences can be heard throughout his repertoire. On any given night, you can expect to find genre-bending arrangements and unanticipated segues delivered with old soul sentimentality. Chris has played at the Orchard for many seasons, and we look forward to having him join us on July 17th for our musical roundtable.

DONNA HUGHES

A singer and songwriter from North Carolina, Donna Hughes has become a respected name in the bluegrass community for her heartfelt and thoughtful songs as well as her subtle but commanding vocal style. Born in the small town of Trinity, NC, Donna began playing the piano at the age of three. In early 2000s, Donna recorded and self-released Somewhere in Time, which featured nine of her own compositions and received enthusiastic reviews in the bluegrass press and had a Grammy-winning album, Lonely Runs Both Ways. In 2006, Donna signed a record deal with Rounder Records and recorded her third album, Gaining Wisdom; Rice made good on his pledge and both produced and played on the disc. She's played a few times at the Orchard during our fall events and we look forward to having her as a part of our musical roundtable!

GROUND COVER

Ground Cover is a local band based right here in Randolph County. Together, they play a mix of oldies, classic rock, rockabilly, and gospel music. Joe Milliner plays bass and  vocals and has played music for 53 years, starting at the age of 14.  Keith Slusher is the percussion master and began playing drums at 12. He played throughout high school and college and was awarded the Billy Crocker Jazz Musician award in 1988. Don Herndon plays acoustic guitar and vocals and started his singing career at age 4 or 5 when he'd sing to his family's cows. He has sung in church choirs and community choirs for many years. He has written some Contemporary Christian and praise and worship songs and was heavily influenced by Soul and R&B as well as Buddy Holly, the Beatles, and Rockabilly sounds. Last but not least we have the lead guitarist, Dave Brooks. Dave is from Chatham County and has been playing music for 40 years as well as written music and sings. He was in a Led Zeppelin cover band and played in the Big Time Party Band. He currently plays as the lead guitarist in the 501 South Band. We look forward to welcoming this local band to MCO.