For the second time in six months Rangeley’s community radio station, WRGY, has treated the region’s music fans to a delightful showcase of local musical (and comedic) talent. RadioFest, held June 30 in collaboration with the Rangeley Friends of the Performing Arts at the Lakeside Theater, provided more than two hours of folk, light rock, instrumental and vocal entertainment to a packed house.

Charlie Bruce Terry Guen

A major difference this time, versus the event conducted in the winter was that the weather cooperated! It was a beautiful summer evening instead of a raging blizzard. Those in attendance not only listened to great music courtesy of a full lineup of local talent, but were also amused by several humorous interludes orchestrated by the evening’s Emcee Tim Straub, with support from Rangeley meteorologist and WRGY Board Member Russ Murley as well as other members of the WRGY Radio Theater Players Meredith McMillan, Iris Ramirez (Station Manager), and WRGY Board Member Shawn Russell. The entire evening was live broadcast by WRGY so listeners far and wide could enjoy even if they were not able to attend. But if they were not there, they could not sample the fabulous pre-concert appetizers provided by The Portage restaurant in Oquossoc.

The Shapeshifters- Mike Schrader and Mike Blythe Terry Guen

The full line up of acts was: Shape Shifters (Mike Schrader and Mike Blythe); Victor Borko; PBJ (Bob Greene, Pam Ellis, Jeff Smith); Tom Ball and Peg Knox; the WRGY House Band (Sam McMillan, Amelia McMillan and Duncan Stuard);  Mason Strunk; Charlie Bruce; and, playing together Sue Borko, Gia Walton, Ethan Wright, Michael Templeton, Mike Schrader, and Eric White. The musical selections ranged across genres and in what has come to be a WRGY live concert tradition, all the performers joined on stage for a lively group rendition of “The Weight.”

Russ Murley and Iris Ramirez engineering the live broadcast Terry Guen

Four lucky attendees – David Snyder of Pennsylvania, Heidi Sorensen and Tina Marie both of Rangeley, and Ed Barnett of Wilson’s Mills – were fortunate enough to win the June RadioFest prizes. The June drawing was part of the station’s Donor Match Summer Campaign, which continues into September, helping WRGY meet a $10,000 match. Funds raised at the concert will help the station with its equipment capital campaign. Equipment improvements will help the station to improve its broadcasting capacity, and ensure greater signal reliability. For further information about the station, and to donate, please see the website: www.wrgy.org.  Thanks to all who attended, and to the station’s loyal donors and underwriters, and please listen at 90.5 FM or stream on the website.

From left to right: Sam McMillan, Amelia McMillan and Duncan Stuard Terry Guen