MECHANIC FALLS — Maine country musicians Dan Brayall, Joan Kennedy, Mike Preston and Bill Thibodeau are being inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame at the 47th Annual Induction Ceremony and Show, set for 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at the Silver Spur, 272 Lewiston St.

The live music event will showcase performances by the four new inductees and other legendary Maine Country Music Hall of Famers.

Dan Brayall of Nashville, Tennessee, born in Dexter, started his musical career in high school. His first band was the Sundowners, where he backed up Dave Dudley at Nashville North in Bangor. Later he joined the band Rodeo, opening for George Jones and playing back up for Johnny Carver. In the 1990s, Brayall hosted Dick Stacey’s Jamboree in Brewer and performed locally on television. Brayall moved to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his own songwriting, where he recorded an album of originals. He also played for many years at the Opryland Hotel, according to a news release from Maria Holloway with the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame.

Joan Kennedy of Gray is a Portland-based singer/songwriter with a career that spans 36 years. She won her first national talent contest in 1983 and, after issuing her first album “I’m a Big Girl Now,” she started her professional career in 1984. Kennedy was the recipient of the Canadian Country Music Association Humanitarian Award for her work with Make-a-Wish Foundation. She performs with the Joan Kennedy Trio and in her all-female duo, playing original and cover songs, blending country, pop, and folk music.

Mike Preston of Lewiston, the youngest to ever be inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, began performing at age 4. At age 10 he purchased his first guitar and taught himself how to play, and picked up pointers from experienced musicians. His professional career began at age 13 with a performance at the Roost in Buxton. He performed with Dick Curless, Kenny Roberts, Betty Cody, Slim Clark, Al McHale, Al Hawkes, and Rusty Rogers on both TV and radio. He also learned to yodel.

Preston shared the stage with The Charlie Daniels Band, Ricky van Shelton, Mark Collie, and George Jones. His first band was Young Country, and he was later lead guitarist for Buckstop. Preston has recorded seven traditional country albums.

Bill Thibodeau, a bluegrass performer, was active in top-notch bands for 30 years and has resided in Maine for 42 years. The son of Hall of Famer Sam Tidwell, Thibodeau performed with and managed several bands and operated two Bangor-based recording studios. Thibodeau founded the Descendants of Bluegrass and the Bill Thibodeau Band before joining Rock Hearts in 2018 which rose to the top of New England bluegrass bands. Thibodeau has appeared on 14 albums and on over a dozen singles with significant radio airplay.

In addition to inducting its new members at this show, the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame will also introduce the winner of its third annual Maine Country Music Hall of Fame Student Guitar Competition.

Tickets are general seating (unreserved) and available at the door for $15. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The snack bar will be open. This is a family-friendly event.

For more information, call 207-613-5411, email mariaholloway207@gmail.com or follow the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame on Facebook.

 

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