In those rare instances that a band reaches its sixth decade, it’s usually a result of stardom. It’s easy enough to keep things together when each member has a jet and techs on retainer and the world tour rolls around every few years. But that’s not how Max Creekhas done it.

In 40+ years Max Creek has been small, big, regionally-huge, medium, and any other size one can think of; they’ve never graced the cover of Rolling Stone, but you’d be hard pressed to find a music fan in the Northeast that hadn’t heard of them. Well then, how’d they do it? If you knew Max Creek you’d answer simply, “they just did.”

Creek lacks pretense; there is no hip style or genre-title that can define them. From the beginning they’ve mixed anything they liked—rock, country, reggae, soul, jazz, calypso—in with their own great songs and it’s all just come out sounding like Creek. As such they’ve never been the hot item in the flavor-of-the-year club yet they’ve also never gone out of style.

Moreover, Creek exudes confidence but lacks ego; each member is an incredible musician but that’s never been what it was about. But that is all things Creek is not, and what Creek is is far more important.

The band is certainly joyous, and their stage is full of smiles and laughter, both during and between songs. All one has to do is glance into the crowd to see that the feeling is contagious.

Creek is also much more engaging than the average band, sculpting lengthy shows on-the-fly from their 200+ song catalog with rockers, ballads, deep jams and crowd sing-alongs all tucked into their perfect places.

And Creek is, most definitely, a family. 40-odd years in, the audience is a multi-generational stew; it’s not uncommon to witness old-school Creek Freeks getting down with their teenage (or older!) kids.

Creek itself is multigenerational. Though the “front line” of guitarist Scott Murawski, keyboardist Mark Mercier and bassist John Rider has remained intact since the mid-70s, the current drums and percussion team of Bill Carbone and Jamemurrell Stanley weren’t even born when Max Creek was founded.

 

What does “General Admission” mean?

For General Admission events, all theater seats are removed from the floor to create an open space, with cocktail tables and barstools added for a more relaxed atmosphere. The number of tables and stools varies depending on the show and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Theater seating in the balcony will remain in place and is also first come, first serve. Please contact info@vinhillmusic.com for any accessibility accommodations.

 

 

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre is an independently-owned event space located at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, ME. Our charming, historic barn and outdoor garden provide an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable, intimate evening! Learn more here.

In those rare instances that a band reaches its sixth decade, it’s usually a result of stardom. It’s easy enough to keep things together when each member has a jet and techs on retainer and the world tour rolls around every few years. But that’s not how Max Creekhas done it.

In 40+ years Max Creek has been small, big, regionally-huge, medium, and any other size one can think of; they’ve never graced the cover of Rolling Stone, but you’d be hard pressed to find a music fan in the Northeast that hadn’t heard of them. Well then, how’d they do it? If you knew Max Creek you’d answer simply, “they just did.”

Creek lacks pretense; there is no hip style or genre-title that can define them. From the beginning they’ve mixed anything they liked—rock, country, reggae, soul, jazz, calypso—in with their own great songs and it’s all just come out sounding like Creek. As such they’ve never been the hot item in the flavor-of-the-year club yet they’ve also never gone out of style.

Moreover, Creek exudes confidence but lacks ego; each member is an incredible musician but that’s never been what it was about. But that is all things Creek is not, and what Creek is is far more important.

The band is certainly joyous, and their stage is full of smiles and laughter, both during and between songs. All one has to do is glance into the crowd to see that the feeling is contagious.

Creek is also much more engaging than the average band, sculpting lengthy shows on-the-fly from their 200+ song catalog with rockers, ballads, deep jams and crowd sing-alongs all tucked into their perfect places.

And Creek is, most definitely, a family. 40-odd years in, the audience is a multi-generational stew; it’s not uncommon to witness old-school Creek Freeks getting down with their teenage (or older!) kids.

Creek itself is multigenerational. Though the “front line” of guitarist Scott Murawski, keyboardist Mark Mercier and bassist John Rider has remained intact since the mid-70s, the current drums and percussion team of Bill Carbone and Jamemurrell Stanley weren’t even born when Max Creek was founded.

 

What does “General Admission” mean?

For General Admission events, all theater seats are removed from the floor to create an open space, with cocktail tables and barstools added for a more relaxed atmosphere. The number of tables and stools varies depending on the show and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Theater seating in the balcony will remain in place and is also first come, first serve. Please contact info@vinhillmusic.com for any accessibility accommodations.

 

 

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre is an independently-owned event space located at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, ME. Our charming, historic barn and outdoor garden provide an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable, intimate evening! Learn more here.

Griffin William Sherry & his band return with their unique blend of folk, country, and rock & roll. Inspired by his rural Maine roots, his music continues to grow stronger in the ever-evolving genres of Folk, Americana, Rock, and Alt-Country. Griffin brings together a signature style of visceral, heartfelt, and passionate songwriting all his own.

In 2011, he founded the band The Ghost of Paul Revere, capturing the hearts and minds of countless fans with a series of acclaimed albums and years of touring both nationally and internationally. He helped establish his own music festival, performed on national television, and garnered millions of streams. In 2019, his song The Ballad of the 20th Maine became the official Maine State Ballad, securing The Ghost of Paul Revere’s place in Maine music history.

In fall of 2024, Griffin released his debut solo album, Hundred Mile Wilderness. Recorded in Nashville, at the famous Sound Emporium Studios with acclaimed producer Eddie Spear, featuring ten all new, all original songs that further expand on Griffin’s extensive and beloved catalog of music. The first single “Reflections”, released June 26th, 2024, is, as Griffin puts it, “a song about confronting big changes in your life and having to stare down the idea of who you were in order to discover who you want to be”.

His newest single, Cathedral of Pine, was written in conjunction with PODSONGS and Maine based writer, Jenna Rozzelle. It blends together dark, cinematic folk and pounding synths that pulls the listener fully to the moody, Stephen King-esque tale of hunter and prey set deep in the North Woods.

 

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre is an independently-owned event space located at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, ME. Our charming, historic barn and outdoor garden provide an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable, intimate evening! Learn more here.

Roomful of Blues, praised by DownBeat as “in a class by themselves” and hailed by Count Basie as “the hottest blues band I’ve ever heard,” has been a powerhouse in blues, swing, and R&B for over 55 years. Founded in 1967 in Rhode Island, the band has earned five GRAMMY nominations, seven Blues Music Awards, and international acclaim, performing in 22 countries and sharing stages with legends including B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana.

Led by guitarist and producer Chris Vachon since 1998, Roomful of Blues maintains its signature horn-driven sound with a lineup featuring vocalist D.D. Bastos, saxophonist Rich Lataille (a member since 1970), keyboardist Jeff Ceasrine, bassist John Turner, drummer Mike Coffey, trumpeter Carl “Geerz” Gerhard, and saxophonist Alek Razdan. Their masterful mix of jump blues, swing, R&B, and soul fills dance floors and delights audiences worldwide.

With 18 albums to their name, including six acclaimed releases on Alligator Records—most recently In A Roomful of Blues (2020)—the band continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. Guitar Player calls Vachon’s playing “explosive,” and The New Yorker praises their “thunderous performances that get feet stomping and hands clapping.” “We keep things fresh and fun,” says Vachon. “It’s as exciting for us as it is for our fans.”

 

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre is an independently-owned event space located at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, ME. Our charming, historic barn and outdoor garden provide an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable, intimate evening! Learn more here.

Toby McAllister

Toby McAllister’s music is steeped in the beauty and rhythm of Maine’s seasons — from crisp autumn air to long summer days. Best known as the founding member of Sparks The Rescue, Toby has been making music since childhood and spent his 20s touring the world in a van with his bandmates. After settling back in Maine, the stillness of the 2020 pandemic sparked a new wave of creativity, leading to his solo debut Daydreamin’. That release quickly led to major support slots and new recognition.

In 2023, Toby followed up with Autumn Skies, a more introspective record about life, love, and rock & roll, featuring longtime collaborators from Sparks and guest appearances by members of The Mallett Brothers Band and Old 97’s. The album earned a nomination for Album of the Year by the New England Music Awards. His latest project, The Outsider EP, was recorded deep in the Maine woods and shaped by personal milestones — the passing of his father and the birth of his second child. Its lead single, “Millinocket Stars,” is now in rotation on 98.9 WCLZ.

Beyond original music, Toby is a full-time performer and leads The Jameson Four, a high-energy wedding band known for rocking receptions across New England. He’s shared the stage with acts like Carly Pearce, Old 97’s, The Mallett Brothers Band, and Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters — but at heart, it’s still about the song, the story, and the connection.

Ward Hayden & The Outliers

The story of Little by Little, the new album from Ward Hayden & The Outliers, begins much like a Springsteen song: a long drive, a car radio, and the stirrings of a bigger idea. While driving to a show, Hayden heard a fellow musician on the radio telling fans not to listen to Bruce Springsteen – not for the music, but because of political differences. The moment lit a fire. Rather than answer with outrage, Hayden responded the best way he knew how: through the music itself. That spark led the band to record a handful of Springsteen songs… which quickly became sixteen.

What started as a passion project turned into two full-length tribute albums: Little by Little and the forthcoming Piece by Piece. These are not copycat covers – they’re reimagined through the Outliers’ distinctive lens, blending country, rock, and Americana with soulful musicianship and a deep emotional core. Recorded in top-tier New England studios with longtime collaborators, the songs reflect Hayden’s personal connection to Springsteen’s catalog, from the working-class grit of “Youngstown” to the heartache of “Used Cars.” With Little by Little, the band set out not to outdo The Boss – but to honor his legacy with heartfelt, faithful reinterpretations that feel both timeless and freshly urgent.

Throughout, the album is tied together by Hayden’s rich vocals and the band’s tight, road-seasoned chemistry. But it’s also shaped by something deeper: a sense of place, purpose, and connection. Just as Springsteen’s stories helped define the American experience, Hayden and the Outliers are exploring their own – drawing on the push-pull of small-town roots, the search for belonging, and the resilience found in honest storytelling. With more original music on the way, Little by Little is not just a tribute – it’s a mission statement.

Show Opener: Ross Gregor Adam

Ross Gregor Adam is a musician originally from the rolling hills of Scotland and now based in the vibrant community of South Portland, Maine. With deep roots in traditional Scottish and Irish folk music, he blends timeless tunes with contemporary favorites that get audiences singing, clapping, and dancing.

 

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre is an independently-owned event space located at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, ME. Our charming, historic barn and outdoor garden provide an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable, intimate evening! Learn more here.

Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer whose shows are a celebration of musical tradition, storytelling, and soul. With his distinctive guitar style, warm, expressive voice, and trademark wry humor, Rush has been captivating audiences for over five decades – from the 1960s folk revival through to the present day.

A deeply influential figure, Rush helped shape the folk and singer-songwriter movements, introducing the world to rising talents like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne through his early recordings. His own songs have become folk, country, and even rock staples, recorded and reimagined by multiple generations of artists. James Taylor has called him “one of my main influences,” while Garth Brooks named him among his top five inspirations.

Rush’s celebrated Club 47 concert series, launched in the early ’80s, paired legendary artists like Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt with newcomers such as Alison Krauss, and has filled some of the country’s finest halls. His albums span releases on Elektra, Columbia, and his own Nightlight Recordings, including fan favorites like The Circle Game, Trolling for Owls, and What I Know.

Now living in southern Maine, Tom Rush continues to tour nationally. His music – tender, funny, and deeply human – has only deepened with time, offering audiences a one-of-a-kind experience rich in warmth, insight, and unforgettable songs.

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre is an independently owned event space located at 53 Old Post Road in Arundel, ME. Our charming, historic barn and outdoor garden provide an ideal backdrop for an unforgettable, intimate evening! Learn more here.