Concerts on the Pier featuring Joy Almond

The Concerts on the Pier returns in Summer 2023 as a concert series.  The final concert of the series is Saturday, September 9th at 7:30 pm on Lake Tillery, near Goat Island (the last cove before the southern dam on the Stanly County side of the lake) and will feature Joy Almond.  People can listen to the free concert from their boats, from shore, or by watching the live stream on the Stanly County Arts Council’s Facebook page. If interested in shore seating, please email the Stanly County Arts Council at stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com or text Renee VanHorn @ 704.984.8357.

Singer/songwriter Joy Almond has been entertaining the Charlotte metro area for the past couple of decades, bringing original and cover songs to life with powerhouse vocals.

Almond got her start performing with her father’s country/southern rock band, Different Directions, while a student at Pfeiffer University. During her time at Pfeiffer, Almond was also a member of the college’s Symphonic Choir.

In the late 90’s, Almond moved on to Blues/R&B group Fat Cabbage, playing shows across the Piedmont, including the legendary Double Door Inn-Charlotte. She also earned accolades as the winner of Albemarle Idol and as a contestant on WSOC’s ‘Gimme the Mike-Charlotte’ in the early 2000’s.

Almond’s vocal style is heavily influenced by revered R&B singers such as Aretha Franklin and Etta James. Comparisons to her sound lean towards ‘blue-eyed soul’ altos such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Teena Marie. Almond is also known for her method of playing left-handed rhythm guitar.

Currently, Almond performs regularly at Open Mic Night hosted by Rick Scaffe at Uwharrie Brewing on Wednesdays, and as half of the acoustic duo Joy and the Gent with long-time guitarist and friend George Blalock. For future performances, follow ‘Joy and the Gent’ on Facebook and Instagram.

Concert on the Pier is the brainchild of Austin Coats. When the Covid pandemic hit, Coats returned to Stanly County from New York City. In Fall 2020, Coats determined that performing from a pier for boats or for an audience socially distanced on shore would meet the needs to hear live music while being performed in a safe environment.  The first Concert on the Pier occurred on a chilly night in October 2020 with Coats performing and raising much-needed funds for the local arts community by having donations benefit the Stanly County Arts Council. He followed that concert with another concert in May 2021, with much better weather and once again the funds raised benefited the Stanly County Arts Council.  Even though restrictions no longer exist, the Concert on the Pier is still a great way to enjoy live music.  In Summer 2022, it expanded to a three-concert series, offering other local talents to grace the pier.

The Concert Series for Summer 2023 includes:

• June 3rd with Austin Coats
• July 15th with The Hatley’s (cancelled due to weather – will be rescheduled for 2024)
• August 12th with Jack Burns
• September 9th with Joy Almond

Each musician has their own style, so it’ll be fun to attend all four concerts.  Donations will be accepted again on behalf of the Stanly County Arts Council, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit whose mission is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.