Doc & Shelley . . . something special!
There’s no denying it, Glenn “Doc” Adkins and Shelley Rae are something special.
The two have exploded on the local music scene like no other couple, with a sound uniquely their own.
The daughter of Jan and Tom Korntved, 42-year-old Shelley Rae was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., one of three children. She graduated from Peble High School in Green Bay, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of West Green Bay.
A single mom with two children (son Cole and daughter Marley), Shelley moved to Cedaredge in August 2006, at the request of Cole. He was impressed with and wanted to graduate from Cedaredge High School.
The son of Dillard and Ruth Adkins, Doc was born 53 years ago in Stuttgart, Ark., a place he calls “the rice and duck capital of the world and home of the world championship duck calling contest.”
Doc graduated from Stuttgart High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in music education (BME) from Henderson State University, with a major in percussion and a minor in piano, and an associate’s degree in applied science in electronics technology from Southern Technical College in Little Rock. In November 2005, with encouragement and support from David Starr, Doc picked up his roots and moved to Cedaredge. Doc had run the sound system for AppleFest that year, and was soon hired by KVNF as sound engineer and computer guy for their big move.
Shelley, whose passion is writing songs, said that as far back as she can remember she has always had a love for music. “When I was two years old, I embarrassed my mom by singing Simon and Garfunkel tunes at the top of my voice, while riding in a grocery cart, at the local supermarket.”
When she was nine, Shelley took her first guitar lesson from her first mentor, “Miss Peggy Brown,” she said proudly. “I came from a home filled with music.”
Her “early on” musical influences included not only Simon and Garfunkel, but U2 and Bob Marley as well. “I think I have all of his [Marley’s} records,” she said.
At 16, Shelley began performing professionally on the guitar and singing at the local pubs and coffee houses. She also won several local talent contests. She went on to perform at various venues and festivals, including benefit concerts for the homeless, for AIDS victims, at Earth Day festivals in Green Bay and the “Take Back The Night” rally and festival to raise awareness of violence against women, children and families. She also worked at the Green Bay Library helping kids develop their writing skills.
Not to be outdone, Doc smiled, saying that at the age of 10 he won a second place at a talent contest in Decatur, Miss. He was playing the piano at the time. His impressive resume includes piano tuner; computer systems specialist (installation and repair); live sound engineer for various performers and venues; keyboard backup and performances with numerous local national and international performers, including Three Dog Night, Charley Pride, Jed Clampitt, Patti Page, Barbara Eden and others. And Doc has “paid his dues” working as a stage hand for Vince Gill, Michael Martin Murphy, Crystal Gayle and Sylvia. His early musical influences included country, country rock and southern gospel.
Shelley and Doc crossed paths on Oct. 3, 2007, during open-mic night at the Blu Sky Saloon in Cedaredge where Doc was performing. Shelley, with guitar in hand and an incredible voice, performed for the first time that night as a Cedaredge resident, literally blowing everyone away who heard her.
The following day, Shelley went into Starr’s Guitars just before closing, looking for someone to talk to. She was a little bit scared, but soon felt welcomed as a musician by Doc and the staff at Starr’s Guitars.
The two got together and began picking and playing together. Doc was so impressed he asked if she would like to join him in a “gig” that he had booked at the Grill. Doc, the quintessential keyboard player, was well known to area music lovers, but when Shelley, a relative newcomer to the area, opened her mouth to sing, everyone knew they were listening to someone very special.
Since then the two have performed together at AppleFest, the Blu Sky Saloon, at Red’s Tapas and Bar, for the Montrose Rotary, at Cedaredge’s Chapel of the Cross, for various private parties, benefits and fund raisers, and have continued as “lounge performers” for the Grill at DeerCreek.
Since that first night at the Grill, they have delighted music buffs with their energetic, fun-filled and totally professional performances of well known