Sandy River Ramblers, from left, are Brendan Hickey, Stan Keach, Julie Davenport, Bobby St. Pierre, Bud Godsoe. Submitted photo

The Sandy River Ramblers will kick off the Lakeside Orchard Summer Concert Series at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at Lakeside Orchards, 318 Readfield Road in Manchester.

The bluegrass band’s recent CDs include “Cry of the Loon” and “Home in the Heart of Maine” which feature songs about Maine exclusively. Stan Keach, the band’s chief songwriter, is a nationally-known bluegrass songwriter, as well as a published poet. The Ramblers also boast gorgeous 3-and-4-part harmony singing, and the lead vocals of Keach, Dana Reynolds, and bassist Julie Davenport, who Keach says is “the best bluegrass lead singer in Maine.”

The instrumental playing of banjoist Bud Godsoe, fiddler Brendan Hickey, and mandolinist Bobby St. Pierre are also featured by the band, which mixes serious and poignant songs with sidesplitting comedy numbers.

The outdoor concert area has a few picnic tables, but attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets (as well as picnics, snacks and beverages). Snacks will be available in the orchard store. Admission is $12 for adults, free admission for people 12 years old or younger.

For more information, call Keach at 207-397-2241 or Lakeside Orchard at 207-622-2479.

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