LOVELL — Dancing rhythms, warm songs, and magnificent guitar playing. That’s what Ray Ryan, Nick Nataluk, and the Smokehouse Boys will be bringing to the Brick Church for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

The Smoke House Boys are veteran New England musicians. A polished and professional musical unit, they came together last New Year’s Eve and have been delighting audiences in the region ever since.

Ryan, lead guitarist, has been playing music almost all his life. His most cherished second-grade Christmas present was a small guitar. If you’re serious about music, his mother told him, you’ve got to practice half an hour every day. “She never let me quit, and I’m glad,” said Ryan. By high school he was playing with a band, making money on weekends. “But we could only do private gigs. We couldn’t get into nightclubs, because I looked so young.”

It’s a long road from that time to last October, when Ryan headlined with Jon Sarty at the Fryeburg Fair. Along the way, Ryan has teamed up with vocalist Nataluk of Lovell at an open mic. “He was a jam-band kind of guy, with a great voice,” said Ryan.

Nataluk started music in high school, winning talent contests. His voice harmonizes beautifully with Ryan’s and together they bring a warm, rich tone to their concerts.

The Smokehouse Boys love diverse music. “At the Brick Church, we’ll play lots of different styles. Maybe some classic rock, and some jazzy stuff – then we’ll be rocking out with a few electric numbers.”

It’s hard for audiences to sit still when the band plays – but they will be free to dance, tap their feet, enjoy the musical feast however they wish.

The Brick Church for the Performing Arts is on Christian Hill Road. Tickets at the door will be $10 for adults, $5 for children 15 and under. For more information, call 207-925-1500 or visit  www.lovellbrickchurch.org.

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