Howie Day is a native of Bangor and a graduate of the University of Maine. He began playing piano at age 5 and guitar at age 12. By age 15 he was writing music and performing across New England. In 2001, Day wrote, financed and released his first album, “Australia,” which was named Best Debut Album at the Boston Music Awards. About that same time, Day developed his unique style of using effects pedals and loop-sampling, layering live percussion with vocal harmonies and guitar parts to become a veritable one-man band. He has had a song go gold, had two top 10 radio hits, and is probably best known for his platinum single, “Collide.” He has toured North America, Australia and Asia and the festival is honored to have him return to his home state of Maine.

 

Nichole Nordeman is a native of Colorado and went to college in San Diego, California, and the University of Colorado. Currently she lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nichole is a recording artist and songwriter for Sparrow/EMI CMG, with numerous number one and top 10 singles to her credit and cumulative CD sales of over one million. A two-time Gospel Music Association winner for Female Vocalist of the Year, she has won a total of nine Dove Awards, including one as the lyricist on the best-selling album, “Music Inspired by the Story.” In 2017 Nichole Nordeman’s video for “Slow Down” was viewed more than 26 million times on Facebook and YouTube. The video was also featured in The Huffington Post, NBC Today and ABC News.

 

America’s number one Frankie Valli tribute show will come to Paris Hill on Saturday, Aug. 11, with the “Let’s Hang On!” ensemble. This group is comprised of six amazing singers backed by four energetic musicians, supported by perfectly aligned musical tracks that fill out the show’s big sound. The show captures the trademark harmonies and crisp choreography which made the Four Seasons one of the greatest vocal groups of all time. Let’s Hang On! has performed hundreds of shows coast to coast in the United States and Canada at performing arts centers, casinos, fairs, festivals and corporate events.

 

Tickets will go on sale on June 1 for the public. All three concerts are expected to sell out due to their national recognition, according to Mary Beth Caffey, 2018 music festival director. The Thursday and Saturday night concerts are $35 a person and Friday night’s concert is $25.

 

On Saturday, Aug. 11, the festival will once again provide a full day of free music for the community. From 10 a.m. to noon, there will be musical activities and concerts for the children. From noon to 5 p.m., there will be five local groups and individuals performing free in a fundraising activity for the festival.

 

As a nonprofit organization and event, the Paris Hill Music Festival provides for three major efforts. Half of the profits go toward future festivals; 30 percent goes to the Music Booster organization for the Oxford Hills schools. The proceeds from the 2017 festival amounted to $6,302, which was presented to the Music Boosters in December 2017. The third avenue of support, at 20 percent, goes to the Friends of the First Baptist Church of Paris, which is responsible for the renovation and maintenance of the historic church structure. In November 2017 the group was given a check for $4,201 from the proceeds of the 2017 festival.

 

Caffey wanted to thank the Oxford Hills communities again for being supportive of the 2017 festival.  “It was our first annual festival and truly was a major success. Now we are trying to build on that success with amazing evening concerts, and an expanded Music Expo on Saturday. We are very excited about having activities for our children in the expo. Hopefully, parents will bring the kids for a great time of activity and music,” she said

 

For more information about the event or to volunteer to serve on a committee, contact Mary Beth Caffey, 207-754-7970 or mbcaffey@gmail.com.