FCS grad home with a hit
FCS High graduate is the lead singer of a popular contemporary Christian band
BY ANNETTE JONES
Date published: 5/24/2008
BY ANNETTE JONES
Mike Donehey, a 1999 graduate of Fredericksburg Christian High School, returns to his alma mater Wednesday. But this is no ordinary homecoming.
Donehey, 27, is the lead singer of Tenth Avenue North. The band's first single, "Love is Here," is climbing the Christian music charts at a fast clip. A stop at his old high school is etched in the schedule for the Florida-based band's CD release tour.
First, the thunder
That he's coming back at all is something of a miracle.
On Sept. 17, 1998, Donehey and two teammates were driving to a Fredericksburg Christian High soccer game when the Honda CRX they were in went out of control on Mine Road in Spotsylvania County. The car flipped several times and the three boys were ejected. That was a blessing, because the car hit a tree and was demolished.
When paramedics arrived on the scene, they thought Donehey was dead.
"They lost the pulse at least once on the way to the hospital," said his dad, Dan Donehey.
He had fractured his skull and vertebrae and had lacerations requiring 96 stitches. But after five days in the intensive-care unit at Mary Washington Hospital, Donehey was on the mend.
"Mike is definitely on his second life," his dad said.
Two months after the crash, Donehey, who was told initially he would never walk again, was ready to play in the school's soccer championship run.
While recovering, he discovered guitar.
"He picked up the guitar and very rarely put it down," said Dan Donehey. "There were times we wished he would put it down."
Still, as Donehey prepared for college, his parents were supportive of his musical endeavor.
His friends--well, not so much. "I remember him being annoying with it. 'Dude! Stop playing the guitar,'" said childhood friend Will Newman. "I definitely remember him not being good."
before the music
At Fredericksburg Christian High School, Donehey was a soccer star. He also was involved with drama, which he planned to major in at college.
When Donehey decided to go to Palm Beach Atlantic College, several of the guys from Fredericksburg Christian went, too, including Newman.
WHAT: Tenth Avenue North concert
WHERE: Fredericksburg Christian High School, 9400 Thornton Rolling Road
WHEN: May 28, 7 p.m.
COST: $5
INFO: tenthavenuenorth.com
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Date published: 5/24/2008
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