ABOUT
In 2016, Fred and few other guys started playing weekend jam sessions together and soon after Duck was formed.
As the word spread about this funky, soulful, bluesy band, those jam sessions transferred into writing original music. Duck began booking gigs at venues around North Carolina, making crowds boogie to their upbeat sound.
Duck found their groove both performing and writing originals with a solid assembly of talent: Donnie Tyree on vocals, Sam Thompson on guitar, Chuck Rhew on keys, Chris Holloway on bass and Fred Dees on drums and electric washboard. Opening for talent like Neal Francis, Daniel Donato, and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe has helped to solidify a loyal fanbase.
All band members participate in writing music and lyrics. Their most recent EP, MOVES, recorded in Raleigh, NC summer of 2022, can be found on all streaming services, along with three singles released in early 2024.
Upcoming plans will have the band releasing a new project in 2025 while touring in the SouthEast. Check the Shows page for dates near you!
Donnie Tyree
Vocals
Donnie pulls his inspiration from Broadway musicals, soul musicians of the past, and current R&B artists. His recent project, Donnie Deneil and The Scrumptious focuses more on R&B while Duck is leaning into the rock/soul sides of music.
Chuck Rhew
Keys
Teaching music lessons by day, and playing with both Duck and JULIA, Chuck’s passion comes both from his students and from the energy of the crowd when he’s on stage.
Chris Holloway
Bass
With a passion for writing, Chris plays multiple instruments, taking inspiration from a wide variety of musical genres and people.
Fred Dees
Drums and Washboard
Driven by musicians like Jeff Sipe, Stanton Moore, George Sluppick, Cody Dickinson, Todd Nance, and Levon Helm, Fred’s been playing percussion since he was a child. In fact, it’s Cody Dickinson’s electric washboard that inspired Fred to build his own and teach himself how to play.
