SKYNYRD Lives! The "Nation" Goes Forward...

Well now. Thanks go out to all those that participated in the anti-rain dance that I requested the other day. It worked! Lynyrd Skynyrd with opening act Charlie Daniels on the waterfront in Bangor, on a Thursday night with 8,000+ rowdy fellow fans.
Starting out the night was the Charlie Daniels band, well Dotty and I saw him last October down in Nashville and well, the aging process is not treating him well. Sure 73-74 years old he does still rock hard but you could tell he was really laboring on a lot of stuff. It’s a great show still but not the same. I give the guy credit, he has a huge following and will to the bitter end. Cool.
Now Skynyrd, that was some kind of fun. Brought back memories of 40 +/- years ago at a Skynyrd concert with one exception; they were better this time. Like wine, age works wonders. With Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals, Gary Rossington – guitar, Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals, Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals, Robert Kearns – bass, backing vocals, Michael Cartellone – drums, Peter Keys – keyboards you cant go wrong. Van Zant was true to form working the crowd and going from one song to another without pause. The guitar work was flawless, being a uber-low quality axe-hack that I am, I was in awe! Everyone blended together, you would think you were listening to a CD in your home. Sweeeet. When Skynyrd hit the first note of the evening the huge crowd stood up and no one sat down from that point on. The encore song….of course Freebird! And they rocked it! Overall it was a super evening. Keep it up Bangor and Hollywood slots!!!! I hear the promoter is looking at up to thirty acts for 2011! We are going to be broke........

Dance Folks...Dance!

OK everyone, Dotty and I have a huge request; we respectfully request that all participate in a "ANTI-RAIN" dance within the next 24 hours. Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Charlie Daniels Band are at the Bangor Waterfront tomorrow night! We really do not want to try out our $3.00 Wally Wurld ponchos......not exactly stylin, besides it won't showcase my "Bangor Hydro yellow" Hawaiin shirt! Dance your asses off folks!

Stillwaters Band Schedule

Stillwaters Band

GIG DATES FOR THE MONTH OF: August/September 2010

AUG 14TH-WINTER HARBOR BOAT RACES

AUG 21ST-BASELS BAR, COLUMBIA

SEPT 4TH-HILLFIRE AFTERDARK, ELLSWORTH

SEPT 11TH-BASELS BAR, COLUMBIA

Broadway, Nashville TN

It ain't Down East Maine, but boy, we love it down there!

Jimmy Barnes, Ellsworth Waterfront Concert Series

On The Waterfront..Ellsworth Style

Well I bet a lot of you good folks did not realize that Ellsworth has its own Waterfront Concert series! Friday evenings at 6 PM during the summer down at the public landing on Water Street, down at the gazebo there are groups playing for an hour or two...free to the public. Last night was local folk/country singer Jimmy Barnes spreading his tales of life in Maine and parts beyond, ya know Florida, Arizona, Mexico and the like. Jimmy has been entertaining people across the states for years and shows no sign of slowing down. I remember Jimmy when he was Captain of the "Dolphin" fishing boat out of Bar Harbor in the very early 70's. He was even at that time, a salty soul. A week or so ago, Eric Green was down there with another group with his unique blues tunes. Boy, if you ever get to go and see Eric, do it! Bluesy, swampy, funky downeast rockin..love it! SO next Friday, drop on by the waterfront about 6 and see what cookin, and oh yea, bring your lawnchair, hat and a pair of shades!

Tommy Castro Band..Winners!

On The Wind.........

There is something on the wind here in Eastern Maine. Lots of good stuff happening as far as music is concerned. First we had the Blues festival over in Rockland, a nationally known event that draws thousands and presents first class entertainers. Even with the lousy weather last month, Rockland pulled it off. Oh, and of course you have the pub-crawls with shows that will knock you socks off! Before that I had the opportunity to skate over to the Strand with friends Jim and Rolly to see and hear Tommy Castro. Now, let me tell you, that was one hell of a show! Just back from a European tour schedule, and Tommy and his band winning numerous awards at the 31st Blues Music Awards held on May 6th in Memphis. Castro emerged as the story of the night on May 6th, winning in all four of the categories in which he was nominated to lead all winners. In addition to going four-for-four, Castro took home awards in some of the biggest categories of the evening including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and Band of the Year for he and his Tommy Castro Band. His other two wins represented a sweep of the Contemporary Blues categories for both artist and album. But I digress, his performance at the Strand in Rockland on a foggy night was, well, rockin! If you ever get a chance to see this group, Scot Sutherland on bass adds some class…just in his eclectic footwear choices! And he can rock a bass too boot!

Recently the Down East Country Fest brought top notch Country music to Washington County. Presented by Caleb Paul originally from Addison, it was a 7+-hour smorgasbord of great local and National recognized entertainers.

Next week on the 5th of August, Bangor’s Waterfront Park will be brought to life with a show by Lynyrd Skynyrd with some good ole kick ass Southern Fried Rock! They also are “dragging along” some guy by the name of Charlie Daniels? Sweet! Dotty and I saw him at the Opry in Nashville last October. Now let me tell you, for a grandfatherly, white bearded 73 year old he dug out a Les Paul and swung his group into a rockin instrumental that lasted about ten minutes sending some of the true blooded, hard core Country fans heading for the exits. I didn’t want it to end…amazing! The Waterfront Show should be something to remember for years to come.
Then we got some yokel named Tim..McGraw..might just bring in a few fans on September 4th at 7PM, we will see. Also Alan Jackson plans on stopping by on September 10th at 7PM for an intimate setting with 3-4 thousand close Maine friends…quaint. On September 11th at 8PM. Jason Mraz will also be entertaining on the Waterfront in Bangor. Should be a great show for those that like variety for sure!

Lots happening this year for those in love with music that live in Maine, especialy Eastern Maine! Talk of others, such as Godsmack (allllriight!) coming along to give us a sow. And we must thank for Hollywood Slots for their “input”…good job guys!

See ya at a show folks, I’ll be the one with the horidly garish yellow Hawian shirt on! Its my favorite!

Downeast Drum Meister

Down East Country Fest

After a cruise down Route One into Washington County last Saturday, July 24th, my wife Dotty and I arrived at a vacant Fairground site in Whitneyville just outside Machias. Vacant in the sense of not being used on a regular basis. Driving in we noted a sparse group in the grandstands and a small stage covered by a white canopy. Questioning what we were about to find we said we would give it a “go” and have fun. Well have fun is what we did indeed! Sitting next to good friends Phil and Brenda we witnessed what is hoped to be an annual event for years to come. Starting around 12:30 until I hear was around eight PM (we left around seven) with short breaks between performers, there was a lineup that gave everyone a great dose of Country music. From a group from New York State, “The Whiskey Project” to Nashville recording star “Michael Peterson”, and best of all Downeast Maine’s own world-renowned uber-guitarist “Johnny Hiland” it was a day to relax and enjoy great music. A great surprise was “The Stillwaters Band” from DE Maine..doing covers and a few originals they got the crowd going in fine form. “John Paul”, originally from Western Maine but coming up from Southern California provided some great tunes with a tempo that showed no signs of slowing down! Then came a gent from “the County”, “”Travis James Humphrey..on stage solo providing original Country tunes in a manner lots of us seem Country should be presented..a man and his guitar telling stories..nice. After a short break came “Chasing Blue”, a bluegrass band out of Boston. Meeting in the Boston campus of Berkley Music, these young folks presented Bluegrass some sweet! Next was “Michael Peterson”, Nashville recording star. Playing his number one hits from a few years ago he presented a nice long set. With no backup band but arriving with a “band in a box” digital backup, Peterson was a master of the stage. Superb vocals interlaced with stories that either made you laugh or tug at your heart-stings, he had the audience’s attention from the git-go. And then there was “Johnny Hiland”, this young man has made a huge name in the music world, not just in Nashville, but if anyone knows guitar news, he or she has heard of Johnny Hiland! All I can say is amazing. Steve Vai, Sammy Hagar, Ricky Skaggs are but a few that have publicly made mention of Hilands out of this world axe handling. We left prior to “Fish Whistle” performing, but Phil mentioned that Johnny took the stage with them and rocked the event till the end. Overall, who would of thought that on Route 1 ine Downeast Maine, in Whitneyville you would turn down a dirt access road drive thru a dirt area and sit down and listen to some very top-notch music..I would not of believed it if I had not been there!

This whole thing was because of one young man, Caleb Paul, a Washington County native. Caleb did a great job promoting this even and is already planning next year’s event. His goal is to bring to Washington County quality entertainment and with hopes to bolster local economy. Now folks, attendance was lacking..lets all spread the word and keep your eyes and ears open. You don’t want to miss Down East Country Fest 2011.
Check out the photos below!

Johnny Hiland, DECF 2010

Michael Peterson, DECF 2010

Chasing Blue, DECF 2010

Travis James Humphrey,DECF 2010

John Paul, DECF 2010

The Stillwaters Band, DECF 2010

The Whiskey Project, DECF 2010