Charles Carmody – Charleston Market Director
Charles was born and raised in Charleston, SC. He has been the Director of The Charleston Music Hall since 2012. He graduated from The College of Charleston and after a failed attempt to move to Canada after college, he returned to Charleston and loves this city dearly. His mission is to make Charleston the greatest music city in the world.
What was the first concert you attended? NSync – North Charleston Coliseum – 6th grade
Who is your favorite band/musician? Sufjan Stevens
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? Famous – no specific job title – just Famous
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? Sharon Van Etten – Basel, Switzerland
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Nicholas McDonald – Venues Director
What was the first concert you attended? As a child we would gather after Sunday dinner in the shed beside my great-grandmothers’ house as my as some of my great uncles and their friends would play traditional bluegrass until super. Years’ later I found out that my uncles’ play alongside the Gaither’s.
Who is your favorite band/musician? All the ones that adhere to their set times
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? Still unsure what I want to “be”
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? Whichever venue at which I’m working that day.
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? Sometimes, when a lot of people are on stage right, I will walk to stage left.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Bonny Wolfe – Marketing Director
Born and raised in Ann Arbor, MI, Bonny relocated to South Carolina when she was 16. She moved to Charleston to attend The College of Charleston. During college she interned and worked as an Artist Runner at the Music Hall, and then began her full time position after graduating in 2015.
What was the first concert you attended? Amy Grant
Who is your favorite band/musician? Queen
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? Concert Promoter. I didn’t know that’s what it’s called, but I used to gather the neighborhood kids to put on shows in my parents front yard and I would make neighbors pay to come watch.
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? Fox Theatre – Detroit, MI
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? 850 mi to see Jack’s Mannequin when I was 16.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Whitley Lewis – Box Office Manager
Born in Colorado, raised in Summerville, South Carolina, I graduated from College of Charleston in 2018 with a degree in Arts Management. During college I worked in the box office as an intern for the Spoleto Festival USA and the Charleston Music Hall. After graduating, I moved to Seattle, WA and worked as the Patron Operations Manager at the Seattle Children’s Theatre for 2 years. I am the parent of a dog named JP Patches and cat named Luna.
What was the first concert you attended? The Dixie Chicks in Denver, Colorado when I was about 5 or 6
Who is your favorite band/musician? Tigers Jaw
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? A professional basketball player
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? The Paramount Theatre-Seattle, WA
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? 3,000 miles for Camp Cope (from Australia) at the Vera Project-Seattle, WA in 2018 before moving out there
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
Zach Bechtel – Front of House Manager
Zach was born in Richmond, VA and grew up in Raleigh, NC. After graduating from NC State in 2009, he moved to New York City where he spent nearly a decade working in TV and racking up credit card debt. After moving to Charleston, he started volunteering at the Music Hall, and can’t believe he now gets paid to work here. Zach runs on Lucky Jack cold brew.
What was the first concert you attended? A turn-of-the-century trifecta: The Goo Goo Dolls with Third Eye Blind and Vanessa Carlton
Who is your favorite band/musician? Currently, Rubblebucket
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? NBA Player. Everyone wanted to be like Mike…I wanted to be like Muggsy (Bogues)
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? The Beacon Theater, NYC
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? 867530nyyyyeeeenine
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Leah Valentine – Marketing Coordinator
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I decided I wanted to work in live music when my dad took me to see the Jonas Brothers in 2008. I spent many years trying out different roles in the industry until I landed on concert venue marketing. I finally finished my marketing degree in December of 2019, just in time for the pandemic! I moved here in October of 2021 for this job and I am in love with Charleston. As for my musical taste, I’ll listen to just about anything, but I really like dance pop, boy bands and metalcore. Outside of the music industry, I like going to the beach, playing soccer, being an Atlanta United fan and loving on my 4 fur babies.
What was the first concert you attended? Relient K and Toby Mac at the Fox in Atlanta in 2007.
Who is your favorite band/musician? Bastille or A Day To Remember, depending on my mood
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”?A pro Surfer or a Popstar. I can’t sing and I can’t surf (yet).
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? The Original 695 North Ave Masquerade in Atlanta, GA
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? I drove 14 hours from Atlanta to Chicago to see 5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction in 2013. I told my parents I was going to Ohio for the weekend to help my best friend Erika pack to move to Atlanta. I detoured in Ohio to pick her up, but I didn’t help her pack. Sorry, mom & dad.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Dy’Mond Franklin – Marketing Assistant
Born and raised in Columbia, SC, I graduated from Coastal Carolina University in 2021 and knew I wanted a career in the music industry. I tried everything from A&R to PR but found marketing to hold my attention the longest. When I’m not watching a true crime documentary or teaching myself something on YouTube, catch me visiting art museums and learning about aquatic animals (dolphins are my favorite).
What was the first concert you attended? Mindless Behavior
Who is your favorite band/musician? 6LACK
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? An Actress
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? Anywhere close with good concerts
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? 3.5 Hours
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Keon Masters – Bar Manager
Born in MA, raised in the Charlotte, NC suburbs. Keon graduated from the college of Charleston in 2012. He has been an active member of the Charleston music community since his arrival to the city in 2008. He, his wife Victoria and their dog Bennie live a short distance away from the Music Hall in the Eastside Neighborhood of Charleston.
What was the first concert you attended? 106.5 The End’s “End of Summer Wienie Roast” headlined by Papa Roach in Charlotte the year 2000.
Who is your favorite band/musician? The Killers.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? Actor, musician, entertainer. Lol. Looking to get that E.G.O.T.
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? The Royal American
What is the furthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? Bon Iver, Radio City Music Hall, NYC, 2012.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Michael Rogers – Technical Manager
What was the first concert you attended? I can’t remember. It was some Christian concert my parents took me to
Who is your favorite band/musician? It’s a tie between Pedro The Lion and Foo Fighters
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? An astronaut
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? A tie between The Sylvee in Madison, WI and The Anthem in DC. Both fantastic venues with great staff!
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? Philadelphia for Every Time I Die.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Jimmy Varn – Technical Manager
What was the first concert you attended? Creed in Salt Lake City Utah
Who is your favorite band/musician? Agency 1994
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? Air Traffic Controller like my dad.
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? House of Blues
What is the farthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? 30 hrs of pure dedication.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Emily Orenstein – Box Office Coordinator
I was born in Marietta, Georgia and moved to Charleston to attend the College of Charleston in 2017. After graduating with a degree in Arts Management in 2021, I worked in the box office of the Spoleto Festival USA where I met Whitley Lewis! I started working with the Charleston Music Hall during the Around the Bend series. I have a bearded dragon named Colonel Sherman Potter and a tortoise named Corporal Radar O’Riley.
What was the first concert you attended? The first concert I attended was Hannah Montana with the Jonas Brothers as tour support!
Who is your favorite band/musician? My favorite band is Pearl Jam!
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you “grew up”? I wanted to be a “salamander farmer”. Why did I think lizards were farmed? I am not sure, but I was determined!
Other than the Music Hall, what is your favorite music venue? Exit/In – Nashville, TN
What is the furthest you have traveled for a concert (miles or hours)? 2,625 miles to see Pearl Jam in Seattle, WA for their Home Shows series in 2018!
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers