The Band
Get to know us!
Rusty Halos
The “Rusty Halos” are the new country sensation out of Treasure Valley, Idaho. With decades of musical backgrounds, the members have blazed trails from Seattle to Nashville. Band frontman Randale Finch was a founding member of Washington State’s premier country rock band “Southbound” and has been a fan favorite from Puyallup to the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, opening for Toby Keith, Jamie O’Neal, Eli Young, and dozens of other top Nashville stars.
After moving to Idaho, Finch met and began writing with singer/songwriter Ashley Brown, a lifelong Idaho native. The two decided to take a shot at Nashville, where they were welcomed with open arms on Music Row. After recording sessions with award-winning artist and producer Rodney Good, they decided to take it on the road, adding some of Idaho's most seasoned musicians. With Kelly Long (drums), Robert Arehart (bass), Mike Kharrl (guitar), Michelle Cannon (fiddle), and Isaiah Hughes (guitar/ukulele), the lineup was not only set, but their first showing was opening for music legends “Blackhawk.”
Rusty Halos has received rave reviews for their crowd-pleasing performances and ability to entertain audiences of all ages. Rusty Halos officially came together in August 2025, uniting a group of talented musicians with diverse and unique backgrounds in the music industry. Each member brings their own experience, style, and passion to the group, creating a sound that’s both dynamic and deeply rooted in their individual journeys.
We’re excited for you to get to know us — and to share the music we love with all of you. Come on out and have a great time as the Halos perform your favorite hits from award-winning artists, as well as their own original up-and-coming songs.
Randale Finch
Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist
Randale Finch’s musical journey began in the womb. Born to a Music Major (dad), and a piano
prodigy (mom), he was brought home to a bassinet that sat beside a baby grand until he was
able to escape, to then be mesmerized by the 15 piece big band that rehearsed in the family
living room till the day he left for college. In the mean time, Randale earned his first dollar at the age of seven playing “Snowbird” for an audience of 13,000 pancake munchers. By the age of twelve, he had made several TV commercials, mastered the drum kit, and written his first song. He received formal music training throughout his school years, where in his senior year of high school he not only lead a percussion section of twenty-five members, but sat 1st chair in the Texas 5A UIL competition. Randale received several offers from Division One music programs, but instead chose to study under several local music professors throughout West Texas.
After school he spent several years touring and performing with his mother’s big band, the Dora Nell Finch Orchestra. At the age of twenty-one, he joined the US Navy where he held the position of Drum Major for the Navy band. In 1993, he became a founding member of the Country Rock band “Southbound” out of Washington state. Over a 30 year period, the group experienced a great deal of success as the backbone of county music touring every major fair and festival in Washington State, Oregon and British Columbia. From the Puyallup to the Merritt Mountain Music Festival, Baker City to King County, the guys were in high demand. In 1996, they released their self titled album and sold over 20,000 copies from the stage on a single summer tour. In 1998, he played 4 hours a night, 5 nights a week for 48 weeks. Randale has since focused on being a singer/songwriter, releasing multiple tracks recorded by some of the best players in Nashville.
He moved to Emmett, Idaho, where he’s spent the last few years working
to organize the Rusty Halos. Several of the members are students of his that he wanted to
share his experience, his gift and his love for music with. “It’s been the most rewarding
experience and an awesome chapter to my life’s journey, God is Good”! Randale has had his
dreams come true, sharing the stage with greats like Jimmy Murphy, Jamie O’Neil, Eli Young,
Tracy Lawrence, The Dixie Chicks, Toby Keith and many many more.
Ashley Brown
Singer/Guitarist
Ashley Brown has had a love for music and singing since she was a little girl. From performing talent shows for her family, to singing the National Anthem at rodeos, voice has been her passion. She has formal voice training from Boise State University, singing in foreign languages.
Growing up, she loved listening to her Dad sing his Merle Haggard songs and talk about his band he had when he served in the United States Army. She followed suit and loves every song “The Hag” ever recorded. She also has a passion for writing, graduating from Boise State University with an English Writing degree. She used that passion to co-write her first two singles, “Daddy, Merle and Me” and “Back When” with her friend, music mentor and band-mate, Randy Finch.
In 2024, Ashley had the opportunity to record her two songs in Nashville with producer, Rodney Good, while having country music star and Top Female Vocalist winner, Jamie O’Neal sing back up and harmonies on her two songs. Ashley is working on a handful of new songs to record in Nashville once again. She is so grateful for her incredible husband and two sons, and all of their support in her musical journey. For fun, Ashley loves to ride horses, and hunt and fish with her family.
Isaiah Hughes
Guitarist
Isaiah has had a lifelong passion for music. When he picked up the ukulele at sixteen, he immediately began singing and writing songs. That creative spark has stayed with him ever since. Later, for his senior project, he asked his now-band leader, Randale Finch, to mentor him and teach him guitar.
That project marked the beginning of his journey as a guitarist and further shaped him as a singer-songwriter. Music has always been a natural draw for Isaiah, and with his mother serving as the worship leader at his church, he grew up inspired to follow and create his own path in the world of music.
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Isaiah is personally influenced by alternative and indie artists such as The Backseat Lovers, Briston Maroney, Dominic Fike, and Noah Kahan. As the rhythm guitarist for the band, Isaiah brings those influences into our country rock sound.
What he loves most is the energy and experience — learning the ins and outs of band life, from improvisation and stage presence to building real synergy with the group. More than anything, being part of this band feels like being part of a musical family, where we share support, community, and a common goal.
Kelly Long
Drummer
Kelly Long is an American drummer and musician hailing from Emmett, Idaho, whose diverse musical background shapes his unique drumming style.
Growing up, he immersed himself in a wide array of genres, building a vast toolkit that spans rock, cover bands, and even Celtic influences. Long has played with numerous groups, including the rock outfits 1nce Around and The Fallen Idols, as well as 80 Proof and Four on the Floor. His exploration also led him to the tribal Celtic band, Guess When.
With Rusty Halos, Long brings his eclectic skillset to the forefront, diving into the world of red dirt country, blending powerful grooves with complex polyrhythms to create a distinctive sound that resonates with fans of both rock and country alike.
Robert Arehart
Bass Guitar
Robert started playing guitar at a very young age, influenced by the many musicians in his family. He eventually picked up the bass clarinet in school—the only available instrument at the time—and was drawn to the low end of music. When he got his first bass, Robert knew he had found his true calling.
From there, it was a journey through numerous garage bands and cover bands, playing local bars and clubs. Rock has always been his go-to genre, where he did plenty of fill-in work and began landing studio gigs, laying down tracks on several CDs.
Robert has shared the stage with Alice in Chains, Staind, Shinedown, Ten Years, Red Line Chemistry, and Jason Aldean just to name a few. From festivals to stadiums—and even touring—you could say he got around. These days, Robert has become a cowboy impostor, playing bass for the Rusty Halos.
Michelle Chinn-Cannon
Violinist
Michelle Chinn Cannon started playing violin at the age of 5 and never looked back! She holds a BA in Music from Boise State University, an MM in Violin Performance from East Carolina University, and a PhD from the University of North Carolina Greensboro researching music and the developmental neurobiology of autism.
Michelle teaches and directs a non-profit music school specializing in the instruction of children on the autism spectrum. When not teaching or being a mom, Michelle loves jumping genres and fiddling with the Rusty Halos.
Michelle would like to thank her family for supporting this band adventure and thank Randy for the opportunity to be a fiddler in the band!
Daysa Peppley
Publicist
Daysa Peppley serves as the Publicist and Social Media Manager for Rusty Halos, bringing a strong background in communications, journalism, and marketing to the band’s growing presence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism from Lewis-Clark State College, where she cultivated her passion for writing and digital media.
Her professional experience spans multiple industries, including marketing for Parks and Recreation, where she developed her knowledge in social media strategy, branding, and digital content creation.
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Daysa joined Rusty Halos after meeting Randale Finch at her sister’s wedding, a connection that led to an exciting collaboration with the band. Dedicated to amplifying their sound and vision, she works to share the group’s story, promote their releases, and highlight the distinct talents each member brings to the stage.
