Cory Fong is a traveling musician originally from Florida who combines loop stations, synthesizer guitar, and 12-string acoustic guitar to create layered solo performances. After years of playing in garage bands, he turned to looping technology about 12 years ago so he could build full arrangements on his own. He discovered the Ivy Manor while busking in Bar Harbor and was inspired after hearing musician Hannah Risley perform outside the venue. Alongside performing music from the 1970s through today, Fong also uses his “singing shark underscore” project to promote shark conservation awareness through social media and street performance. 

Cory Fong, Featured on Maine Musicians Documentary Series

For Cory Fong, music became a way to keep going when bands could not. What started in middle school with guitar and garage bands eventually evolved into a one-man performance built around technology, creativity, and constant motion.

Originally from Florida, Fong moved to New England about ten years ago, settling near Boston while continuing to travel throughout the summers. Along the way, he developed a unique live setup that combines a loop station, synthesizer guitar, and 12-string acoustic guitar. The result is a solo performance that sounds much bigger than one musician alone. Using loops and layered sounds, he performs covers from the 1970s through today, blending familiar songs with high-energy arrangements.

Music has been part of his life for roughly 25 years. Like many musicians, he started out in small bands with friends. But over time, keeping groups together became difficult. People moved away, went to college, got married, or focused on work. Fong always found himself wanting to keep playing. About 12 years ago, he discovered loop stations, which allowed him to create his own backing arrangements in real time. It changed everything for him. Instead of relying on a full band, he could build songs piece by piece onstage and perform independently while still creating a layered, dynamic sound.

That independence also led him into street performance. Traveling city to city during the summer, Fong busks and performs wherever he can connect with audiences. His introduction to Bar Harbor and the Ivy Manor happened almost by accident. Walking through town one day, he heard musician Hannah Risley performing outside the Ivy. He stopped immediately. During one of her songs, he found himself instinctively singing the harmony part while standing on the sidewalk. Impressed by the performance and atmosphere, he introduced himself to Brian at the Ivy and asked what it would take to perform there himself.

At the time, all he had with him was a 12-string guitar. The Ivy staff had no idea about the looping setup or synthesizer elements that would later become part of his show, but they gave him an opportunity. A few weeks later, he returned for his performance and quickly became part of the Ivy’s growing community of musicians.

For Fong, the Ivy stood out because of its atmosphere as much as the music itself. He describes the audiences as attentive, relaxed, and welcoming. Vacationers settle into shaded chairs while local musicians and visitors drift in and out throughout the day. He spent much of his time in Bar Harbor not just performing, but listening to other artists there. He admired the range of talent and energy at the venue, from quieter performances to his own more upbeat, high-energy style.

He also found inspiration in the physical setting itself. While playing guitar, he often looked up at the leaves moving in the wind above the courtyard. Combined with the summer weather and outdoor setting, those moments became part of what made his time at the Ivy memorable.

Outside of music, Fong has also tied his performances to ocean conservation awareness. Through his Instagram project, “singing shark underscore,” he documents his adventures busking and performing while dressed as a shark costume character. The project focuses especially on raising awareness for shark conservation. Though he describes it more as a personal blog than a music page, it reflects the same creativity and individuality that define his performances.

Whether on a sidewalk, at a summer venue, or building songs live through looping pedals and layered guitars, Cory Fong has created a musical path built on persistence, adaptability, and a genuine love for performing.

More from Cory Fong

• @singingshark_ 
• https://www.instagram.com/singingshark_

More Maine Musicians Documentary Series

Ivy Afternoons

Every afternoon from May through October, musicians from Mount Desert Island and abroad gather at the Ivy Manor Inn’s garden in Bar Harbor, Maine for good drinks, great music, and some outside goodness.

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.