After nearly 20 years of performing country and gospel music, the Monday Night Gang gave its final performance at Erskine Hall in Alna to about 35 toe-tapping, hand-clapping followers on Oct. 14.
The idea of the music gatherings came from Rev. Phil Poland of Georgetown who was teaching Sunday School at the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church in the early 90s as a way to bring people together.
“It was never for money. We wanted to have a place where people could open up and come relax,” band member Lucy Martin said.
Art Mayers, the group’s bass guitar player, says his most memorable night performing was the night Poland went into cardiac arrest. Mayers said Poland was singing “Wreck of the Old 97” when he collapsed face first onto the floor. Fellow band member David Pope of Wiscasset administered CPR and revived Poland.
He said Poland recovered quickly and was able to attend the group’s next gathering. According Meyers Poland died of cancer a few years later.
Since that time Martin and Merle Jewett have kept the group going. The group began performing twice a month on Mondays until about two years ago when gatherings were dropped down to one Monday a month.
With a diminishing crowd and the decreased availability of the musicians it was time to consider bringing an end to the tradition, Martin said. Many musicians who play with the Monday Night Gang also play with other groups that are still performing.
When audience member Harvey Mason was encouraged by band members and the audience to get up and sing. “You got a good thing going. You don’t need me,” he said. After some insisting he did two songs, “Take These Chains From My Heart” and “Devil Woman.” He referred to “Devil Woman” as his signature song.
“Marty Robbins got a lot of money for singing this song, I think I got 25 cents,” he said.
Linda Rogers, a former member of the group was also called upon to sing. She sang, “Its a Lovely, Lovely World” and “Your Cheating Heart.”
Many members of the final audience have followed the group for as long as they have been performing, like Ralph Rogers. Rogers said he has been coming regularly for 19 years. “I have enjoyed gathering together with the people,” he said.
“I hope the memory of these gatherings will guide and support us all in years to come,” Martin told the final audience. “These times when we’ve shared laughter and tears, good times and tough times, having been here together reminds us we are never really alone.”
Audience members joined the group in singing “Keep on the Sunny Side” to end the nearly 20 year tradition.
