Events

Tom Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the ’60s, the folk-rock movement of the ‘70s, and then the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks have cited Tom a major influence. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. Subsequently, his Club
47 concerts brought national attention to emerging artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin. As vital and engaging as ever, Tom is still doing what audiences love him for: writing and playing …passionately, tenderly…knitting together the musical traditions and talents of our times. We are honored to welcome Tom and Matt back to the Opera House this summer. Advance discount tickets $30, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $35 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

The Henry Girls are a trio of Irish sisters from Malin: Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin. They are great songwriters and have gorgeous super-tight three-part harmonies that come partly from the sisterhood bond that they share as well as their lengthy musical history. Twenty years of gracing stages together, this trio interweaves their native traditions with bluegrass, jazz and country, and are one of Ireland’s top emerging folk acts. With the harp as their main accompaniment, their shimmering harmonies weave a continuous spell throughout their music. They have become one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of Ireland, now captivating audiences on worldwide stages having toured in Germany, America, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Austria and the UK. Tonight marks their first appearance on the Opera House stage. Advance discount tickets $25, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $30 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and
on the day of show if available.

Take a 15-time IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Dobro Player of the Year and a Tennessee-born guitar prodigy who made his Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 11, and you have Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, a powerhouse acoustic duo that has electrified the acoustic music scene. Known for their white-hot picking, stone country vocals with soul, and world class live musicianship, Ickes and Hensley meld together blues, bluegrass, country, rock and other string band music of all kinds to form a signature blend of music that defies restrictions of genre. They are equally at home on stages of prestigious performing arts centers, theatres and the Grand Ole Opry as they are on Americana, jamgrass, bluegrass and jam band festivals.

Ickes co-founded the highly influential bluegrass group Blue Highway and has been a sought-after Nashville session player and live performing musician for decades, with credits to his name such as Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire and Alison Krauss. Hensley has been called “Nashville’s hottest young player” by Acoustic Guitar magazine and his soulful baritone vocals have received acclaim as well. Influenced by repertoires as diverse as The Allman Brothers Band, Ray Charles, Merle Haggard and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hensley has shared stages with artists such as Johnny Cash, Steve Wariner, and Peter Frampton. As a duo, Ickes and
Hensley have shared the stage and collaborated with Tommy Emmanuel, Taj Mahal, David Grisman, and Jorma Kaukonen & Hot Tuna — all enthusiastic admirers of the duo — as well as Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi All Stars, Molly Tuttle, and many more. We are thrilled to welcome them back to the Opera House stage this summer.

Advance discount tickets $30, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $35 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

Late one Sunday night in October 2003, Session Americana had its first jam around a table in the back of Toad in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Looking back, the group has had a natural, almost inevitable evolution from a loose bunch of friends sitting around swapping songs in a bar, to a hot-ticket weekly residency, to a touring collective. Along the way, the band has made nine records (so far), played clubs and festivals across the U.S. and Europe, and developed deep collaborative bonds with a wide community of musicians. Session Americana’s diligent avoidance of music business “shoulds” has led the band down a quirky and joyful path through the music world. The result is evident in the musical prowess the players and singers bring to every show. Swapping instruments, trading off lead vocals and sharing songwriting credits, Session Americana is constantly exploring new collaborations and touring like a band out of time, always searching for a welcoming and homey venue, a long lunch with old friends, and a good glass of wine. Advance discount tickets $25, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $30 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show
if available.

Seth’s gifts are an innate curiosity and a fierce desire to connect with other people. His musical acumen provides him with a vehicle for both. He was worked as a cultural diplomat for the US State Department and collaborated with musicians in Ukraine, Mongolia, China, and Mexico. Seth has shared the bill with a diverse list of artists ranging from the likes of Ronnie Spector, James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, & Glen Campbell. As a producer, music director, or studio musician he has collaborated with Sophie B. Hawkins, Tom Rush, Antje Duvekot, Richard Shindell, Doctora Qingona, Dar Williams, Nick Carter, & Cyndi Lauper. Seth is a five-time Independent Music Award winner and received a Grammy nomination for his album The Next Right Thing. With a commitment to using songwriting as a tool for positive change, he has written with the students in Parkland, FL for the “Parkland Project,” co-written with soldiers at Walter Reed, and is an advocate for autism awareness citing his autistic brother Jamie as his greatest non-musical-musical influence. It is always an honor to have Seth and his profound humanity grace our stage. Advance discount tickets $25, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $30 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

About Tinsley Ellis’ most recent album, here’s what the critics say, “An exciting, emotional guitarist and a strong, evocative songwriter…One of modern blues’ greatest performers.” –Vintage
Guitar. “A legend of American blues music…An American music treasure…Ellis delivers a sermon on the power and glory of the blues.” –Premier Guitar. “Powerful, spine-tingling guitar and
gritty, soulful vocals.” –Relix.
Ellis has been recording and travelling the world for over four decades, delivering his feral, guitar-fueled, original electric blues-rock to ever-growing audiences at concert halls, festivals, and clubs. His music is steeped in the folk blues traditions of Muddy Waters, Skip James, Son House, Robert Johnson and even Leo Kottke. This marks his first appearance at the Opera House. Advance discount tickets $25, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $30 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

Tonight expect to hear joy-infused jazz, folk and blues from pianist and singer/songwriter Heather Pierson. Her music pulsates with grooves of New Orleans, the beauty of Appalachia and Sunday-go-to-meeting celebration. “Heather is like two great acts in one, sliding from sweet acoustic Appalachian old-timey vide with Patty Griffinesque lyrics to brassy New Orleans blues piano with a bone thrown to Bessie Smith,” says Lone Star Music Magazine. Tonight marks her first Opera House performance for this seasoned performer. We are delighted to welcome Heather and her trio to our stage.
Advance discount tickets $20, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $25 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

The Lightfoot Band are the original band members that recorded the many memorable hits and toured for decades with the late great Gordon Lightfoot. Throughout their years together the band toured internationally with Gordon – across Canada and the United States and to cities in the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and more. The band includes veterans Rick Haynes on bass, Barry Keane on drums and percussion, Mike Heffernan on keyboards and Carter Lancaster on the
lead guitars. The Lightfoot Band is proud to introduce Andy Mauck as their lead vocalist. Playing a Martin D18 6 string guitar and Gibson B45 12 string guitar, just like Gordon did, Andy has been a student of Gordon’s craft as well as his personal friend for almost 50 years.

Come listen to the music of Gordon Lightfoot tonight, played by the band that knows how to honor him! Advance discount tickets $35, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $40 online at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

From the remote island of Tiree to headlining festivals around the world, Skerryvore has skyrocketed to become one of Scotland’s finest musical exports. And it’s easy to see why. Their eclectic fusion of folk, rock, and Americana – with thundering drums and bagpipes, of course – is as rich as a single malt scotch. Since setting sail, Skerryvore has performed in over 25 countries and scooped up Scotland’s “Live Act of the Year” award – three times. With their distinctive mix of fiddle, accordions, pipes and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums and keys, Skerryvore fuses outstanding musicianship with pure joy. They are one of our favorites and bet they will become one of yours too. Advance discount tickets $35, available only from the box office at 207-633-5159 (open Wed – Fri from 10-2). Regular tickets $40 online
at boothbayoperahouse.com, and on the day of show if available.

Sponsored by the Cowan family and anonymous fans of Skerryvore!