NAPLES — More than 40 Maine-based blues acts will perform at venues in the area at the sixth annual Maine Blues Festival on June 17-19. Well-known area acts include Pam Baker, Mark Miller, guitar legend Denny Breau, Blue Steel Express, the Practical Cats, Pat Pepin, Brookside Blues Band, The Colwell Brothers, Delta Knights, Eric Green Party, Matt & the Barnburners, Zach Pomerleau Band, and Jimmy & the Soulcats.
A host of other bands, duos and solo artists will also perform electric, acoustic, Chicago, Delta, Cajun and other styles of blues music.
Helping to kick off the event at 9 p.m. Friday, June 17, at Rick’s Cafe will be the Brookside Blues Band, featuring veterans Tommy O’Connell, harp and vocals; Ken Goodman, guitar and vocals; Jeff Glidden, drums; and Sean Finn, bass. They will play with members of The Blend, one of Maine’s most successful bands (see sidebar).
There will be several nonticket venues on Friday. Saturday tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show for all 10 venues throughout Naples, with continuous music from noon until after midnight. On Sunday, there will be finale performances and all-star jams throughout the afternoon.
Advance tickets are available at www.mainebluesfestival.com and all Bull Moose locations. Kiosks will be set up all around Naples for day-of-show tickets and festival programs. For more information, visit www.mainebluesfestival.com.
Performance lineup
Friday, June 17th
No wristbands required, however, possible cover charge
Freedom Cafe
Mark “Guitar” Miller
9 p.m. to close
Rick’s Cafe
Brookside Blues Band
9 p.m. to close
Sandy’s at the Flight Deck
Denny Breau
7-9 p.m.
Songo River Queen II, blues cruise
The Pinecasters
7-9 p.m.
Bray’s Brewpub & Eatery
Jimmy & the Soulcats
9 p.m. to close
American Legion Post 155 (open to nonmembers)
Shawn Mercer & Boondocks Blues Band
8 p.m. to close
Redneck Lounge, Route 11
Off-Mission Blues Band
8:30 p.m. to close
Point Sebago Resort
Matt & the Barnburners
8 p.m. to close
Festival Day, Saturday, June 18
The Naples Village Green
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: artisans, food vendors and children’s activities
Noon-1 p.m.: Luther James
1-2:30 p.m.: Pam Baker & the SG’s
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Lake Region High School Ska Band
3:30-5 p.m.: Zack Pomerleau Blues Band
Freedom Cafe
2-3:30 p.m.: Preservation Blues Band
3:30-5:20 p.m.: Blue Willow
5:20-7:10 p.m.: Forest City Drifters
7:10-9 p.m.: Poke Chop and the Other White Meats
9 p.m. to close: Jimmy & the Soulcats
Sandy’s at the Flight Deck
7 a.m.: Blues breakfast
10-11:30 a.m.: Ron Gill
1:30-3 p.m.: Poor Howard & Bullfrog
3-4:30 p.m.: Mary Murphy
4:30-6 p.m.: Myron Samuels & Kevin Midgley
6-7:30 p.m.: Annmarie Smith
7:30-9 p.m.: Trailer Trash
Rick’s Cafe
9 p.m. to close: Bonnie Edwards & the Practical Cats
Songo River Queen II
Noon-2 p.m.: Blues cruise, Blind Albert’s Band
3-5 p.m.: Blues cruise, Mark “Guitar” Miller
6-8 p.m.: Blues cruise, Black Cat Road
9 to close: Dockside, Rattleboxx
Tail of the Lake Lobster Co.
2-4 p.m.: Juke Joint Devils
5-7 p.m.: Roy-Hudson Band
8-10 p.m.: Dave Mello
Merced’s on Brandy Pond /causeway marina
1-2 p.m.: Mimi Knowles Trio
2-3:30 p.m.: Denny Breau
3:30-5 p.m.: The Sensations
5-6:30 p.m.: Don Brewer Blues Project
6:30-8 p.m.: The Colwell Brothers
8 p.m. to close: The Blind Lemons (Kevin & the Steeldrivers opening)
Bray’s Brewpub & Eatery
2-3:30 p.m.: D.W. Gill & The Blues Prophets
3:30-5 p.m.: Rick Miller & His Band
5-6:30 p.m.: Broadcast the Coast
6:30-8 p.m.: Pat Pepin Band
8 p.m. to close: All-Star Blues Jam with New Blues Revue
UFO Ice Cream Parlor & Wine Shop
2-4 p.m.: The Mojo Mama’s
The Galley
3-5 p.m.: Open blues jam hosted By Luther James
Sydney’s Restaurant
5:-6:30 p.m.: Tyger, Tyger
7-9 p.m.: Jacks & Aces
American Legion Post 155 (open to nonmembers)
2-4:30 p.m.: Matt & the Barnburners
5:30-8 p.m.: Eric Green Party
9-midnight: Off Mission Blues Band
The Redneck Lounge, Route 11
3-5 p.m.: Full Circle Blues Band
5-7 p.m.: Shawn Mercer& the Boondocks Blues Band
7-9 p.m.: Blue Sky Project
9:15 p.m. to close Blues Dogz
Sunday, June 19
No wristbands required, however, possible cover charge
Freedom Cafe
1 p.m.: Mark “Guitar” Miller
Songo River Queen
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Blues cruise, Bellamy Jazz Band
Bray’s Brewpub & Eatery
3-5 p.m.: The Tone Kings
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Comments are no longer available on this story