LOVELL — On Thursday, Aug. 16, the award-winning band Milltown Roadshow will appear at the Brick Church, performing their entertaining blend of Americana music and well-crafted original songs. This acoustic ensemble from the Bridgton area are veteran musicians, and the band’s five members represent well over 235 years of combined performing experience. This experience recently paid off during creation of their first CD, “Live and On Time,” which features 15 songs, eight being their own compositions.
Leading the group is Terry Swett on lead and harmony vocals, harmonica and rhythm acoustic guitar. Swett brings a lifetime of solo and duet work to the band, along with a large portfolio of original songs. Many of these songs were inspired by youthful travels throughout America where at times he even literally sang for his supper.
Jack D. Jolie is on lead and harmony vocals, and on lead acoustic guitar. Teenage years living in Nashville with his songwriter dad allowed Jolie to learn guitar technique from top-level professionals. Years since have established him as both solo performer and band member, especially in the genre of bluegrass, where he recorded two CDs with the Connecticut bluegrass band Grass Routes. Jolie’s extensive vocal repertoire, driving rhythm and dazzling flat-picking contribute significantly to the band’s energy and appeal.
For female lead vocals and harmonies the band features veteran performer Diane “DJ” Maddix. Maddix is best known for her work with the former popular band Steppin’ Out, which won band competitions in Maine and New England and also performed briefly in Nashville and Las Vegas. On stage Maddix delivers not only strong vocals, but also the same energetic stage presence for which she is so well-known.
Greatly enriching the band’s overall sound is Jeanine Loubier, an Oklahoma native, who delivers solid creative work on fiddle, banjo, mandolin and keyboard, and who adds depth to the band’s singing with her vocal harmonies. Her instrumental work makes her a crowd favorite, especially when she gets toes tapping with one of her spirited fiddle tunes.
Rounding out the band’s sound with an all-important bass beat is its fifth member, John Sparrow. Although experienced playing many instruments, with Milltown Roadshow he sticks with his acoustic bass fiddle. Over the years he’s performed with folk groups in the ’60s, Sugarloaf-area bands in the ‘70s and more recently several bluegrass bands, including the Danville Junction Boys and the Hemingway Brothers Band.
The Milltown Roadshow concert is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Brick Church for the Performing Arts on Christian Hill Road in Lovell. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and will be available at the door; refreshments will be served at intermission. For more information, contact Stan Tupaj at 207-925-1500 or view www.lovellbrickchurch.org.
Milltown Roadshow (Submitted photo)
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