Music from the Hearth

Heartfelt music by master musicians never goes out of style. Virtuoso guitarist Marc Yaxley has initiated a bimonthly event at The Hearth Community Center, 1915 North Swan, Silver City. Formerly a church, the Hearth has rapidly become a performance venue with excellent acoustics for shows such as this. The event, called “Marc Yaxley and Friends,” will feature other master musicians in a variety of genres and styles. He will share the stage with Thea & the GreenMan on Sunday, May 18.

Yaxley arrived in Silver City in April 2023 from Santa Fe. In two years’ time, he has energized the music scene, and is a sought-after guitar teacher, accompaniest, and solo artist. He began playing guitar at age eleven. By 17, he was performing on cruise ships and traveling the world. Since then he has lived, studied, and performed in many of our country’s music hubs. In 1984, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, becoming musical director at Nellis Air Force Base and performing at multiple venues on the Las Vegas Strip, including joining the Maurice Moore Four at the famous Bally’s Showroom.

Professionally, Yaxley has performed with jazz trombone legend Carl Fontanna, Frankie Avalon, Ira Sullivan, and Jack Peterson, founder of Berklee’s School of Music. He has opened for Maynard Ferguson, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Brubeck, George Shearing, and Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band.

Silver City musician, Allyson Hearst, says “The first time I heard Marc Yaxley on guitar, he played a favorite from an Andrés Segovia album brilliantly. Silver City has a gem in Mr. Yaxley: A consummate artist, an enthralling teacher, and a generous community member. His performances are not to be missed!”

Acoustic Singer-Songwriter Duo, Cynthia Stacey  (Thea) and Chuck "The GreenMan" Willhide, have been performing together for twenty years. Stellar vocal harmonies blend with acoustic guitars and world percussion to create a contemporary and timeless sound. Both began playing at the age of eight. Their music is inspirational and speaks across generations.

Thea is an award-winning songwriter who spent her early childhood barefoot among the Seminole Indians on the banks of the Miami River. Her summers were spent in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. She also lived and worked in the Desert Southwest with Indigenous healers and as a result of these influences, Native American images and the subject of rivers, mountains and canyons weave their way through her songwriting. Thea’s lyrics are socially conscious and empowering, her love songs poignant and deep.

Dan Starr of Entertainment Magazine said of her, “When I first caught Thea performing, she impressed me immediately with her stage presence, rapport with the audience and quality of her voice. I was even more taken, however, with the content of her music.”

Chuck began his professional music career in Pennsylvania playing keyboard in a rock band. His long musical history includes singing in a church choir, Barber Shop Quartet, and men's chorus. Chuck's voice is compellingly beautiful and after moving to Western North Carolina he began performing in concert halls, churches and healing retreat centers. Accompanying himself on keyboard and guitar, Chuck began writing songs at age seventeen. His music and songwriting is heartfelt, sincere and focused on heart-centered spirituality.

The Hearth is the former First Presbyterian Church in Silver City, New Mexico; its sanctuary is rapidly becoming a performance venue with excellent acoustics. Emily Aversa, Hearth Manager, invites inquiries for use of the sanctuary, community room and kitchen, and other meeting rooms.

Marc Yaxley and Friends: Thea and the GreenMan will take the stage from 4-6 p.m., Sunday, May 18. Admission at the door is $10; music CDs range from $10-15. For more informaiton, visit HearthNM.org