The Concerts on the Pier returns for its third concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 on Lake Tillery, near Goat Island (the last cove before the southern dam on the Stanly County side of the lake).
It will feature Jack Burns.

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, email the Stanly County Arts Council to reserve your spot at stanlycountyartscouncil1974@gmail.com.

Jack Burns will perform at Lake Tillery on Aug. 12. (Contributed)

Burns, 23, is a singer/songwriter/musician from New London. He has been playing music since he was 8, starting on drums and piano, then on to guitar, bass and other instruments.

During his high school years, he began playing at bars and open mics locally and in some areas of Charlotte and High Point. At the age of 19, he began recording his first studio album, “Nowhere & 19,” which was released in the fall of 2021.

He wrote and played all parts of this  album, and also produced the songs himself. He is currently in the final stages of recording his second album, which he is even more excited about than the first.

His genre ranges from pop, funk and blues, to some rock with a taste of country occasionally.  He currently plays at a variety of small venues, including wineries, local bars and private parties, and is eager to expand into the greater markets.

Concert on the Pier is the brainchild of Austin Coats, host and performer of Concert on the Pier. 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.

Other concerts this season will include Joy Almond on Sept. 9 and The Hatleys at a date to be determined.

Donations will be accepted 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.

The Stanly County Facebook page will be updated if cancellations or postponements are necessary due to weather.

“We are so grateful to the Coatses for their strong support of the arts in Stanly County,” said Renee VanHorn, director of the Stanly County Arts Council. “This unique fundraiser has become our favorite. I hope everyone will find a way to Goat Island on Lake Tillery, either by boat, by car or by viewing on Facebook, to enjoy the sounds of Jack Burns and support the mission of the Stanly County Arts Council. We are so blessed in Stanly County to have so many talented artists, and are fortunate that this unique venue and concert series can highlight these artists.”

The Stanly County Arts Council was founded in 1974. It continues to promote and support all art forms in the community. Its mission is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.

The Stanly County Arts Council is supported by private donations and by the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.