There was a time when we roamed freely to our favorite watering holes, toasted with friends, and caught the great sounds of powerful guitar chords and heavy drumbeats echoing up and down the town. Those times aren’t gone, just temporarily set aside while the world tries to get a handle on things. Life is slowly returning to normal. We are getting back to restaurants, having a drink at bars, and occasionally catching the perfect rift floating on the air as bands resume their rightful places entertaining the masses on chilly Friday and Saturday nights. Enter 2Digh4.
These Fuquay natives, born and raised, have had their eyes on making a name for themselves (and putting Fuquay-Varina on the map) since childhood. Today, they rock to their own beats and continue proving their worth in a crowded field of rising musicians. Heavily influenced by the likes of Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Lynyrd Skynyrd and so many more, 2Digh4 is right at home rocking the small stage of local bars or blasting the airwaves at major venues. This talented group has already started their breakout and the future is bright. But who are they? Where did they come from?
The brothers Digh (pronounced die- which you have just realized makes the band name make sense) were born with their musical abilities. Landon, the oldest, started piano lessons in third grade while his younger brother, Aubrey, took to the keys in first grade. Driven to learn and develop, Landon joined the Ensemble at Fuquay-Varina Middle School and learned to sing.
The brothers remained in quiet competition throughout their school days. This rivalry inspired them to new and creative heights that continue resonating today. One took up the trumpet so the other picked up a violin. Very few can claim to have raw musical talent, but these boys were naturals. Landon went on to join the Fuquay-Varina High School marching band and was soon singing the national anthem at school sporting events and other local venues. Landon received so much attention and praise for his abilities, the school choir director asked him to join. Not only was this unheard of, but it was also an honor he could not refuse.
N
ot to be outdone, Aubrey accepted the challenge and was soon standing beside his big brother blaring out the national anthem in front of cheering crowds. Their fame took them as far as the opening act at Carolina Mudcat baseball games. Like all things, however, high school came to an end and the brothers were trapped between following their dreams and becoming adults in a world where the bottom line came first.
That life stole them across the state to the halls of ECU, where they majored in social work. They never stopped plotting and planning for the day when they could strike out and make music their full-time careers. The dream of becoming original artists in a landscape filled with cover bands pulled at them.
Inspiration for the band name was born one quiet afternoon when an old guitar teacher commented that if they ever decided to form a band it should be called To Digh For. A spark ignited and, after fiddling with it, the brothers settled on 2Digh4. They now had a name, plenty of talent, and were ready to launch. There was only one thing missing: the rest of the band.
Filling out a band takes time, patience, and occasionally more than one or two members before they get it right and discover their sound. Think of all the great bands that broke up before their time due to irreconcilable differences. For each of those, there are others who stood the test of time and became legends. 2Digh4 is heading in that direction.
Aubrey stumbled upon Mike Kachman in 2016 when the band was in dire need of a replacement bassist. Thrilled with the opportunity, Mike jumped in and claimed his place. Much like the brothers, music has always been part of Mike’s life. He has been an instructor, performer, judge and arranger with several groups. A seasoned veteran, Mike has worked up and down the east coast for over three decades before settling in with the Digh brothers and finding his home.
With their bassist locked in, Landon and Aubrey turned their eyes on the fourth and final member: a drummer to provide a signature beat. In stepped Melody Ballard. She picked up her father’s sticks when she was just a child and fiddled around for a few years. It wasn’t until four years ago that she began drumming seriously. Like any musician in a rising band, Melody makes ends meet by working in sales and devoting her free time volunteering with different local animal rescue organizations. Energetic and charismatic, Melody was everything the band needed.
Their final lineup gelled from the first practice. Now all they needed was a direction and enough exposure to give 2Digh4 the chance to carve out their space in the music world. Ask any artist and they will tell you success is never given, but earned. Nothing replaces hard work and diligence, burning the midnight oil to ensure your sound is right and your lyrics draw in the crowds, and keep them coming back. Together, they spent countless hours perfecting their sound and stage presence.
Before Covid-19 shut the world down they were on their way. The band opened for Florida-Georgia Line & Cole Swindell at the Carolina Country Music Festival, has stood on stage in front of tens of thousands of roaring fans at the Coca-Cola 600 and was slated to perform at the NC State Fair.
Their songs have been played on several major country radio stations and their song, Indefinitely, topped the charts and has received national attention. Not only was it the #1 country radio single, it spent four weeks at that spot on a top ten station. Their success is no accident and just a taste of greater things yet to come. Fans of WQDR might remember hearing an interview a while back as the band presented their hit single, North Carolina.
The combination of country, pop, and contemporary Christian makes them the definition of Americana music. 2Digh4 brings a presence and sound to the stage that is unique and entertaining. The landscape is changing, slowly getting back to normal and the band is gearing up to rock the stage as often and as loud as possible. People want to get out, they want to get back to doing what defined their lives. That means live music on a Friday night. That means 2Digh4 reclaiming their rightful place on stage.
Landon, Aubrey, and Melody still live and work in Fuquay so if you see them swing by and say hello. Nothing replaces the feeling of home, but these powerhouse brothers want to establish 2Digh4 as an original artist recognized around the world while staying humble and remembering their roots. No matter where they go or how successful they become, Fuquay-Varina will always be home.
Big time sound with small town roots, 2Digh4 has become the kind of band that represents what it means to be from Fuquay-Varina. Their love for music and their hometown is evident in each chord and rhythmic drumbeat from the moment they step on the stage to the final encore after each performance. This band lives for each other and remains connected to the small town they call home.
