Spring at Orchard Sessions

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: March 2025

Mike Kinnebrew

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 23, because the Orchard Sessions series at The Farm at Old Edwards is back, kicking off the 2025 season with none other than Highlands’ favorite troubadour, Mike Kinnebrew.

Over the years, Kinnebrew has become the unofficial heart and soul of this beloved concert series, and for good reason. His indie-folk melodies, tinged with a storyteller’s wit and a preacher’s soul, seem tailor-made for the enchanting setting of The Farm.

This year, the Orchard Sessions promise a little bit of everything: songs that feel like old friends, stories that tug at the heartstrings, and the kind of community spirit you can’t fake.

Kinnebrew, fresh from recording his latest song with Grammy-winning writer Marcus Hummon – whose hits include “God Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts to “Born to Fly” by The Chicks and about 100 others – is ready to share new tunes alongside fan favorites. Expect a mix of “bright and shiny songs about family and life” tempered with “darker, more searching” numbers –because, as Kinnebrew says, “That’s life to me. It’s good and bad, beautiful, and tragic.”

Kinnebrew’s connection to Highlands runs deep. His first visit to Old Edwards in 2014 sparked a friendship with then-General Manager Jack Austin, whose dream of a concert series in the orchard came to life in 2019. Since then, Kinnebrew has graced the stage more than any other artist, forging connections with an audience that schedules vacations around his performances. “I stare at the Orchard Sessions dates on my calendar all year long wishing they would come sooner,” he says. “Each show feels like a reunion.”

Adding to the excitement, Kinnebrew will be joined by a surprise special guest or two, offering the audience something truly memorable and unexpected. With music that mines personal history and lyrics that feel like conversations, Kinnebrew has a way of making every listener feel seen.

And let’s not forget the setting: twilight skies, a backdrop of blooming apple trees, and the hum of conversation as guests sip wine and nibble on light bites. It’s an evening where music and memories intertwine.

All Orchard Sessions are open to the public. Concerts run from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. with a $25 cover charge for Old Edwards Inn and Half-Mile Farm guests and members, and $50 for the public. A cash bar and complimentary snacks round out the experience.

So, grab your spot, bring a friend, and get ready for an evening that’s as honest and heartfelt as the music itself.