LEWISTON — In 1978, The Blend was the first Maine-based rock band to be picked up by a major record label, MCA.

On Friday, June 17, members of the band, the first to perform at Portland’s Cumberland County Civic Center, opening for ZZ Top in 1977, will play with the Brookside Blues Band at 9 p.m. at Rick’s Cafe at the Maine Blues Festival in Naples.

Pianist, guitarist and vocalist Steve Dore and bassist Ken Holt will also play with The Brookside Blues Band at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at Fastbreaks, 1465 Lisbon St. Members of Hazzyrd, local Southern rockers who often opened shows for The Blend, will also play at Fastbreaks.

Starting in the early 1970s, The Blend, then called the White Mountain National Blend, was one of Maine’s busiest and most successful acts. It once warmed up the Boston Garden for The Who.

The Blend’s music was compared to the Outlaws and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with a rock-meets-country style of its own. It was known for its scorching dual lead guitar work in songs such as “Sweet Goody Two Shoes” and “The Prize,” written and sung by guitarist Jim “JD” Drown and Dore.

After two major label releases and endless touring, MCA merged with another record company and The Blend’s contract was dropped. Members moved on to other projects. Dore moved to California; and Drown, drummer Skip Smith, organist Donnie Pomber and other local musicians continued as JD & the Flamingos and JD & the Do-Rights, releasing more original music and performing sporadically until Drown’s death from cancer in 2002. Pomber died in 2007 from heart failure.

The Rusty Rocket foundation was formed in memory of Drown, a native of Kennebunkport, to raise funds for musical instruments for schoolchildren in southern Maine. On Saturday, June 18, the sixth annual Rusty Rocket memorial concert will take place at 5:30 p.m. at Jimmy The Greek’s in Old Orchard Beach. Performing will be Drown’s son Ty’s band Div Kid, The Lower East Side Band, The McCarthy’s, The Wakefield Brothers, Hazzyrd and The Do-Rights, featuring three members of The Blend; and drummer Skip Smith. For ticket information, visit www.rustyrocket.