Weeki Wachee Native, Donny Van Slee, Makes ‘Team Reba’

As Season 25 of “The Voice,” a popular, nationally televised music competition, kicked off last week on NBC, Donny Van Slee of Weeki Wachee took the stage, taking judges and the audience by storm. Within eight seconds of launching into his performance of the song “Greatest Love Story” by LANCO, “The Voice” judge and musical icon Reba McEntire sat up straight in her seat, her eyes coming to light. Within 20 seconds, she pressed the button that would claim Van Slee as a member of Team Reba, thus ensuring that she would be the one to coach and guide this 30-year-old chiropractor on his journey through “The Voice” competition.

“I love your voice,” she told him with a broad smile as her fellow judges, including pop superstar John Legend, nodded in agreement. And just beyond the stage, Van Slee’s mom—PHSC Health Lab Assistant Jodi Van Slee—and his grandmother cheered on this local hero, one who, upon receipt of his gift of a package of Reba’s Chicken Tenders, was well on his way to nationwide musical stardom.

“It’s hard to describe how I felt in that moment,” said Van Slee, a graduate of Pasco-Hernando State College and Central High School. “I just felt success.”

Van Slee’s road to musical success started literally on the road, during road trips with his grandparents. “I’ve been singing all my life,” he said. “I used to sit in the back seat of my grandparents’ car, and we would sing songs like ‘I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.’ Then my dad (PHSC Spring Hill Plant Manager Andre Van Slee) bought me a guitar when I was in the sixth grade.”

From his performance in a fourth-grade talent show to his participation in a high school drum line, Van Slee always kept music in mind, ultimately performing professionally at area venues such as Marker 48, Florida Cracker Kitchen, Upper Deck Cafe, Bayport Inn, Tropical Grill, The Drunken Mullet, The Rising Sun Bistro and others. “I’ve been performing professionally since 2015,” he revealed. “Music was always the thing in my life.”

Even so, Van Slee did not initially intend to become a professional musician, opting instead to concentrate on a burgeoning career as a chiropractor. After earning arts and business degrees at PHSC, he attended medical school in Daytona Beach. “I was ready to put down my guitar,” he said. “But then, something happened.”

This fateful event took place at a Daytona Beach Applebee’s, where Van Slee and a friend were eating when his friend notified the restaurant manager that Van Slee could sing. Soon he was invited to perform live at the eatery, where he most literally sang for his supper with a rich rendition of American Pie. “I felt such love from the crowd—and I got a complimentary dinner,” he said. “It seemed like a sign that I should keep performing.”

And recording, as Van Slee went on to record his debut CD, “31” (available on Spotify and Apple Music), a recording that features songs inspired by Hernando County. “The recording features a track called Weeki Wachee River, along with a song called ‘Couldn’t Tell,’ about my experiences hanging out as a teen at the Beacon Theatre in Brooksville.”

Dr. Donny Van Slee went on to pursue his medical career and is now a chiropractor by day and a musician by night. While in school, participating in an internship, he made a pitstop in Nashville and fell in love with the music scene—emailing some music venues in Nashville and landing a gig at the renowned Tootsie’s Lounge. He received his doctorate as a chiropractor and immediately relocated to Nashville to participate in Tootsie’s “Honky Tonk School.” He remains in Nashville three years later, balancing his musical and chiropractic careers. Five days a week, he’s caring for nearly 50 patients daily before downtown gigging at night.

Soon, the music industry took notice of Van Slee’s talent. “Representatives of ‘The Voice’ contacted him,” reveals proud mom Jodi. “It felt amazing to see him up there on stage.”

Throughout his journey on “The Voice,” Van Slee says that his experience working with McEntire and others associated with the show has been truly beneficial.

“I’ve learned so much. Reba has taught me about my stage performance, encouraging me to ‘look me in the eyes and make me feel something’ when I sing on stage, and ‘The Voice’ contestants all help and support each other,” Van Slee said.

Yet even as he stands and sings in a global spotlight, Van Slee never forgets the folks back home—returning to Hernando County last week, where he performed a surprise pop-up show at Marker 48 Brewing. “So many friends, family and fans showed up,” said Jodi Van Slee. “Everybody loved the show.”

In the future, Van Slee’s major goals are to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheater.

But Van Slee will always come home, no matter how far he goes. “I’ll always come home to Hernando.”