BOOTHBAY HARBOR — The Opera House in Boothbay Harbor’s 10 winners, three nights in a row features guitarist Ed Gerhard Thursday, Aug. 15; country and bluegrass performer

Friday, Aug. 16; and troubadour Livingston Taylor on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Acclaimed guitarist Gerhard’s music has touched audiences all over the world. Performing on 6-string, 12-string, slide guitar or acoustic Hawaiian lap slide, Gerhard captivates his audiences with virtuosity, generosity and sly humor. Known for his gorgeous tone and compositional depth, Gerhard can move a listener with a single note.

Gerhard’s unique approach to the Weissenborn, an acoustic Hawaiian lap slide guitar, is playing a significant role in reinvigorating interest in this somewhat esoteric but beautiful instrument.

Tickets for Gerhard’s performance are $18 in advance and $22 on the day of the performance.

Four years ago, Mattea, one of the most sure-footed country-pop song interpreters of her generation, caught everyone off guard with an album of old-timey Appalachian mining songs called Coal. She’s delved even deeper into her Appalachian heritage with Calling Me Home, co-produced with modern acoustic mastermind Gary Paczosa and featuring liner notes from bestselling author, and Kentucky-born kindred spirit, Barbara Kingsolver.

Mattea’s new direction couldn’t have taken her further from her old way of doing things. Where once she was pitched songs by Music Row writers, now she collects the generations-old and new-but-old tunes that move her at folk gatherings, and rounds out her repertoire through extensive research.

Advance purchase tickets for Mattea’s performance are $35, tickets purchased on the day of the concert, if available, are $40.

Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of 13, beginning a 40-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting and teaching. Born in Boston and raised in North Carolina, Livingston is the fourth child in a very musical family.

His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres — folk, pop, gospel, jazz and from upbeat storytelling to touching ballads.

Tickets for Taylor’s concert  are $22 in advance and $27 on the day of the show.

All performances are at 8 p.m. and tickets are available through the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue, or by calling 207-633-5159. Tickets are also available at boothbayoperahouse.com.

Copy the Story Link