Maine Music Awards in Portland July 12

The Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Show scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Civic Center of Portland will honor: Don McLean, Howie Day, Ellis Paul, Dave Mallett and more.

Entertainment gathering will celebrate Maine’s most prolific entertainment artists with full performance sets

PORTLAND — The inaugural Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Show will be held Saturday, July 12, at the newly renovated Cumberland County Civic Center. The show will feature several of the most treasured music artists with strong Maine roots and associations with the state with this year’s honorees performing best of music sets with special guest’s appearances.

The show came to fruition from the popular annual Maine Music Awards annual events that ran through the 1980s and helped launch bands such as Devonsquare into the national spotlight.

“The return was brought about by Maine talent coming forth and suggesting that it would be great to have a show that honored artists like we had in the past,” said Wayne Koss the original Maine Music Awards Show founder who is guiding this event with other notable Maine industry veterans.

“I articulated a group of knowledgeable unbiased industry personnel from Maine to choose who we feel should be representatives of a Maine Music Hall of Fame and it came together quickly. I am highly pleased with the outcome. There are so many great artists from Maine that we will have an endless stream to honor in coming years. Next year we will have public input on some of the nominees as well,” Koss said.

Unlike the past annual awards shows to artists, this event will focus on honoring the artists chosen to be in the Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame with a major show for the artists, music industry personnel and fans to gather, celebrate and have fun. The show will also feature notable guests appearances and recognize special achievements of those in the industry.

“Maine has an incredibly skilled, stylistically diverse, long-standing music scene. Having been a very active creative and business participant in this wonderful scene since the late 1970s, as session and performing guitarist, music arranger, college instructor and studio manager, I have witnessed the evolution first-hand. There are certain artists from various periods of this evolution, in every genre, whose creative works define the absolute highest standards of excellence and passion that is the hallmark of the Maine music experience. The Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Show brings these artists together into the much deserved spotlight, honors them for their significant achievements and ongoing deep commitment to the musical arts in Maine, and gives the audience a chance to hear a night of wonderfully diverse music from their favorite artists,” voiced Bob Thompson.

The historic evening of activity will include Don McLean, who needs very little introduction. The masterful songwriter is a global legend with such classics as “American Pie,” “Vincent,” “And I Love You So,” “Crying,” among others. He has resided in Camden, Maine with his family for over 30 years. McLean will perform an entire set of his music hits.

David Mallet of Sebec, whose songs have been recorded by more than 150 artists including: Pete Seeger, Alison Krauss, John Denver, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Peter, Paul & Mary and the Muppets among others. His composition “Garden Song” is a folk standard.

Northern Maine’s Ellis Paul, will take the stage with his literate, provocative and urbanely romantic folk-pop style and rich vocal artistry that encompasses 19 acclaimed albums and has been featured in major movie releases and television.

Howie Day is well known for his incredible live performances, and his meg-multimillion seller hit “Collide” and his #1 single “She Says.” However Day’s body of work is creatively diverse and deep. His songs have made their way into numerous TV shows and movies. Rich in talent and youthful, the best of Howie Day may be in the future, yet his past is full of substance.

Maine’s highly acclaimed vocal band Devonsquare will be guests performers as will folk artists Carol Noonan and The Mallett Brothers Band joining their father David Mallett on his performance set.

The event will be recorded for a TV and Blu-ray DVD with the TV special scheduled to air multiple times in Maine during the holiday season on NBC WSCH Channel 6 of Portland and WLBZ 2 of Bangor among other areas of the country.

The DVD is designed to illustrate the state’s rich music history and some of the most prolific artists of yesterday and today alongside numerous music industry luminaries of Maine and notable people contributing with over six-plus hours of viewing time expected.

The event will provide a benchmark for now and future generations of musicians. This year’s event will lay the foundation of annual shows that are scheduled for the second weekend of July each summer.

The show will be hosted by Cindy Williams and Pat Callaghan, of NBC 6 Portland/NBC 2 Bangor and Kim Block of WGME CBS 13 of Portland, with notable presenters joining them.

The stage floor of the Cumberland County Civic Center will have linen banquet tables with a gourmet buffet and service bars providing a unique experience to relax and take in the great entertainment showcase.

A pre-show meet-and-greet event will have special autographed music memorabilia at silent auction tables and raffles, opportunity for photographs and conversations with the artists and industry personnel among other items of interest to benefit the United Way of Greater Portland. Shipyard Brewery’s bountiful flavors of fresh-brewed beer will be the featured beers for the event in keeping with the show’s Maine theme alongside the Chickadee wine line.

Tickets are now available from the Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame website at: themainemusicawards and Ticketmaster for $39, $49, $69+/VIP seating.

Bios of 2014 Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Inductees and guests performers

Don Mclean

Over the course of his extraordinary career, Don McLean has sold over 40 gold and platinum records.

He is most famous for the 1971 album American Pie, containing the worldwide megahits “American Pie” and “Vincent“.

His first hit, “And I Love You So” was covered by Elvis Presley, Helen Reddy, Shirley Bassey, Glen Campbell, Engelbert Humperdinck, Howard Keel and a 1973 hit for Perry Como among others.

In 1980, McLean had an international number one hit with a cover of the Roy Orbison classic, “Crying. Orbison himself once described McLean as “the voice of the century”, and a subsequent re-recording of the song saw Orbison incorporate elements of McLean’s version.

Don McLean resides in Camden, Maine, with his wife Patrisha McLean, and their two children, Jackie and Wyatt.

The worldwide Folk music legend has lived in Camden Maine for over 30 years and counting. He performed in front of 60,000 in Portland’s 2012 fireworks display and continues to light up audiences worldwide with his celebrated appearances.

Website donmclean.com

Ellis Paul

A veteran, constantly touring troubadour, Ellis Paul is one of the most respected artists in the folk genre. In addition to performing 150+ shows annually releases an album.

Since even before the song ‘The World Ain’t Slowin’ Down” came out as the title track to Jim Carrey’s blockbuster film, “Me, Myself and Irene”, singer-songwriter Ellis Paul has been impressing audiences and earning loyal fans around the world with his meticulously written songs and compelling live shows.

As one of the top American singer-songwriters, Ellis has won numerous awards including an unprecedented 15 Boston Music Awards. It’s Paul’s literate streak that inspires television and film to frequently feature his songs in numerous TV shows as well as several other Hollywood films such as: “Hall Pass” and “Shallow Hal”, both directed by his big fans, The Farrelly Brothers.

Ellis was heavily influenced by the folk stylings of Woody Guthrie, and some have said Paul has successfully bridged the gap between traditional and modern folk music. Nora Guthrie, Woody’s daughter, invited Paul to co-write a song out of her father’s unreleased catalogue and also perform at a Woody Guthrie tribute show held in 1996 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

“A singer songwriter is only as good as the times he reflects,” Nora Guthrie said. “In times like these, when so many nuts are running the show, it’s comforting to know that Ellis Paul is actually holding our sanity on his own stage! Wise, tender, brilliant and biting, Ellis is one of our best human compasses, marking in melodies and poems where we’ve been and where we might go if we so choose to. Personally Ellis, I’m goin’ where you’re goin’!”

“Despite his success and sense of history, Mr. Paul remains an artist with his eye on the future and an interest in discovering the transformative potential in his music.” – New York Times

Website ellispaul.com

Dave Mallett

His songs have been recorded by more than 150 artists including: Pete Seeger, Alison Krauss, John Denver, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Liam Clancy Peter, Paul & Mary and the Muppets among others. His composition “Garden Song” is a folk standard. Named one of the most memorable “Mainers” in the millennium edition of The Bangor Daily News (along with Marshall Dodge, Andrew Wyeth, E.B. White, Stephen King, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and others), Mallett’s songs are filled with passion, evocative imagery, and a sense of the inevitable passage of time. The struggle of the common man and the loss of American towns and landscapes are the subject of many of his songs.

Website davidmallett.com

Howie Day

Like Patty Griffin before him, singer/songwriter Howie Day emerged from the Bangor, Maine and entered both Boston’s coffeehouse scene and the world of folk music. Unlike Griffin, however, Day stretched the boundaries of acoustic music from the very start, often using loop pedals in concert to create lush, layered sounds with a single guitar. He later expanded that sound to include electric instruments, strings, and a full backing band, a move that resulted in such pop/rock hits as “Collide” and “She Says.”

Born in 1981, Day started playing piano as a youngster and took hold of a guitar at age 14. By the next year, he had secured his first live appearance at Captain Nick’s; two years later, he was touring full-time. Day focused heavily on pop-minded acoustic music, and his recognition grew as he opened for the likes of the Wallflowers, Shawn Mullins, Remy Zero, and David Gray. By 2000, Day had amassed enough original material to release an LP, Australia, which he financed himself.

The album eventually found its way into the hands of Sony Music, who put Day on the label’s payroll and re-released a slightly cleaned-up Australia in June 2002. “Ghost” became a minor hit at modern rock radio, and the exposure only strengthened Day‘s college-age constituency. The Madrigals EP appeared in April 2003, featuring demos and live material while serving as an appetizer for Day‘s official Sony debut.

When Stop All the World Now appeared that October, it was a polished, richly produced record that revealed a newfound emphasis on pop/rock music. “Collide” became a major hit single and She Said went to #1 on the charts. Day took some time off and returned in 2009, prefaced by the release of leadoff single “Be There.”

Website Howieday.com

Special Performances by:

Devonsquare

For over last thirty years Alana MacDonald , Tom Dean and Herb Ludwig toured the US and Europe as well as releasing five acclaimed CD’s. A devoted fan base followed these three musicians from coast to coast to hear their shimmering three part harmonies and award winning songs that have earned the man international reputation. They were commonly referred to as the top vocal group on the contemporary-folk music circuit.

Sadly, founding member Herb Ludwig passed on due to complications from heart surgery in 2005. Original members, guitarist and singer Tom Dean and singer and violinist Alana MacDonald are now joined by longtime bass guitarist Teg Glendon and guitarist Robby Coffin. They will perform their hit songs “Walking on Ice” and “If You Could See Me Know” at the event.

Website: devonsquare.com

Carol Noonan

Carol Noonan is an American folk singer/songwriter from Maine. She is known foremost as a contemporary singer-song writer, but is also known for her haunting renditions of Irish, English, and American traditionals.

She began her career as the lead singer and songwriter for the band Knots and Crosses. They built a significant following around Boston and the New England area in the 90s. After a major-label bidding war led to a failed deal with Island Records, the group disbanded.

Noonan went on to record three solo albums for the Philo/Rounder label through 1997. The “Carol Noonan Band” featured Duke Levine and Kevin Barry on guitars. They have stayed with her for most of her live performances over the years as well as all her albums. Since her time with Rounder she has released a number of albums on her own label.

She is married to a commercial fishing net builder Jeff Flagg who together they run the Stone Mountain Arts Center, a music hall behind their house in rural Maine.

Boston Globe critic Steve Morse wrote, “Carol Noonan seems to exist beyond time…..she sounds at times like a 90’s Sandy Denny, soaring into the heavens, as she hits you in the heart”. Now described in this century as a “brilliant modern folk singer”, by renown critic Dave Marsh, or “Her beautiful voice offers the consolation music is supposed to provide”……

Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Show Hosts 2014

Cindy Williams

Cindy Williams has been anchoring NEWS CENTER’s evening newscasts since 1989. Though she is not from Maine originally, she has lived here far longer than any other state, making this her real home. Her father was in the military, so she moved all over the U.S. That did not stop when she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1985 with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. She held the Miss Mississippi USA 1986 title and placed third runner up in the 1986 Miss USA pageant. She worked at stations in Mississippi and New Hampshire before joining the NEWS CENTER family and settling down.

Cindy has won several awards from the Associated Press and the Maine Association of Broadcasters for her anchoring and reporting. She currently co-anchors the 5, 5:30 and 6pm newscasts and focuses her reporting on home and family issues.

Cindy lives in the Portland area with her husband, NEWS CENTER morning anchor Lee Nelson, and their 2 sons.

Pat Callaghan

Pat Callaghan started working at NEWS CENTER in December 1979. He is currently the co-anchor of WCSH NEWS CENTER 6 at 5pm, 6pm and 11pm. Before coming to NEWS CENTER, Pat worked at WSME-AM in Sanford as a newscaster and commercial producer, and was a writer and feature reporter at New Hampshire Public Television. He was one of only a few reporters in the country on the air live from the Kennedy Space Center when the Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed in an explosion in 1986.

Much of Pat’s reporting focuses on state and national politics. He has covered numerous Democratic and Republican national conventions since 1988. Pat has written and produced award-winning documentaries on some of Maine’s most important political figures, including Edmund Muskie, George Mitchell and Bill Cohen. Pat grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of New Hampshire in 1978.

Kim Block

Kim Block has been at the News 13 evening anchor desk for 33 years. In addition, she anchors the Noon News, and co-anchors “Live at Five.”

Kim went to Indiana University, where she received a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish.

Kim specializes in medical/health reporting, and is the proud recipient of two New England Emmy awards for her series “The China Journey,” and “Miracle in Maine.” Kim has also received an Edward R. Murrow award and numerous Associated Press and Maine Association of Broadcaster awards.
Kim was the first woman inducted into the Maine Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2002, and is the recipient of the University of New England Deborah Morton Award and the YWCA’s “Women of Achievement” award. She was also recognized as the Cromwell Center’s “Person of the Year” in 2012 for her years of community service in Maine.

Along the way, Kim has told the stories of Maine – a place that captured her heart instantly, when she moved here from her original home, the Washington, D.C. area. “I can’t think of a better place to have begun a career – and to continue with one,” says Kim. “Maine has been both professionally challenging and personally rewarding – it is a gem of a state with many significant news stories and a lifestyle that can’t be beat.”

Kim is dedicated to community service, having worked with numerous organizations over the years, including the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cancer Community Center, Maine Cancer Foundation, and Girl Scouts of Maine.
Kim also served as honorary chair of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign in Maine.

Links:

Official Show Website

Great Points About The Maine Music Awards Hall of Fame Show & Festival

The Cumberland County Civic Center of Portland

Videos links of Maine Music Award Hall of Fame Performing Artists

– Videos on YOUTUBE

Don McLean

American Pie

Vincent

And I Love You So – Don Mclean (Live)

Crying

Dave Mallett (To be joined by the Mallet Brothers band)