Ma rk "Guitar" Miller - Mark Miller has been playing guitar and belting out the blues for decades.       This legendary performer inspires and captivates the audiences and musicians alike with dazzling and emotional guitar work that only come from a true master.

Pam Baker & the SG's -  pambakerblues.tripod.com Pam is one of Maine’s most well-known blues performers. One of the first Maine blues artists to receive steady FM air play with the release of her first CD, “Bakin’ the Blues”, Pam quickly established a loyal following. Her rich voice and winning stage presence continue to charm audiences throughout the region.

Annmarie Smith - Annmarie Smith has been carving out her niche in the Northern New England music scene since 1997. Her pleasingly eclectic style is built on her unique vocals, subtle finger picking, and uncanny slide guitar licks. In addition to her original material, she mines the rich history of the blues ranging from early roots through today’s artists, making them all unmistakably her own.

Big Chief & the Chieftans - www.bigchiefband.com Like a good wine, Big Chief has grown  better with age. Originally founded in 1989, this quartet has been a mainstay in Maine music ever since. Founder and drummer Jeff Davison, guitarist Steve Lynnworth, bassist Dave Thibodeau, and sax player Sam Hall are each among the most “pedigreed” professional musicians in the state with extensive recording and touring credentials with some of the greatest legends in blues. 

The Blind Lemons - The Blind Lemons with front man, multi instrumentalist and all-around “Force of Nature” Tom Renino at the helm the ‘Lemons were there at the beginning of the blues scene at the now legendary Raoul’s Roadside Attraction. This band of seasoned pros helped kick-start the blues in Maine over twenty years ago!

Pat Colwell & the Soul Sensations -  www.soul-sensations.com Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations rock their way into the new millennium with a powerful, robust mix centered around bodacious renditions of the best soul, blues, and original music.

Pat Pepin and Tom O’Connell -  www.patpepin.com Vocalist, guitarist, and sax virtuoso Pat Pepin and vocalist and harp master Tom O’Connell are this year’s Road to Memphis winners. Together they will represent the State of Maine in the solo/duo category in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in February 2008. Both Pat and Tom front their own bands, and their respective talents combined with their own brand of wry humor make for truly remarkable match-up.

Blues Challengers - Blues Challenger is a new band that takes an old school, less is more approach to playing blues. It’s simple - two guys, a guitar, a drum set, and a couple of microphones. This is the way it was done in the heyday of Mississippi juke joints! Both members (Greg Hoover, guitar/vocals and Ben Logan, drums) have numerous national recording and touring credits, and present a rare original authenticity to today’s blues scene.

Blues Street Station - Blues Street Station is a newcomer to the Maine blues scene. This father-son duo features senior member David Francis on rhythm guitar and vocals and junior member Matt David on lead guitar. Their music is heavily influenced original blues masters as well 60’s era British and Southern blues styles. They will be joined on stage by blues veterans Don Whitcomb on upright bass and master drummer Bub Lynch.

The Blueshounds - The Blueshounds are blues favorites from the Lakes region. They feature tight arrangements of modern blues and surprising interpretations of classic blues. In addition, they personify the concept of a “blues party!”

Bonnie Edwards and the Practical Cats - bonnieandthecats@yahoo.com Wanna dance? This is “jump-swing” blues in a six-piece band with a twenty-piece attitude. Formed over twenty years ago, the ‘Cats have been featured in countless music and art festivals throughout the state and region. The wearing of zoot suits is encouraged.

Dave Mello -  Dave Mello has been performing professionally for over forty years including tours in the 1970’s with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, and the Staples Singers. His unique style of acoustic blues is marked by meticulous guitar work matched with spot-on passionate vocals.

Deja Blue - Deja Blue is a another new addition to the Festival line-up. Originally formed in 1999, this Bangor-based quartet re-formed in 2005 and has honed its chops into a well-oiled, classic blues machine. With charismatic front man Dan-O on vocals, immaculate guitar work from Toby Williams, and a rock-solid rhythm section comprised of Jimmy Rorden and bassist Bill Branca, Deja Blues were semi-finalists in this year’s Road to Memphis state blues competition.

The Delta Knights - www.deltaknights.com The Delta Knights were one of the first bands to represent the State of Maine in the International Blues Challenge in 1996. Led by founder Rob Babson and propelled by legendary blues drummer Larry Peterson, the ‘Knights are one of the most sought-after bands in the state.

Denny Breau - (Guitar Clinic) www.dennybreau.com Legendary guitar master Denny Breau is the gold-standard by which other guitarists measure themselves. Yeah, he’s that good! His recording credits include numerous appearances on albums by national blues acts, and is one of the most in-demand guitar teachers in the state. This year Denny, along with a top-shelf rhythm section, offers a free live-performance seminar that is a must-see for musicians and fans alike. 

The Don Brewer Blues Project - www.donbrewerbluesproject.com The Don Brewer blues project is an all-original blues band from the Boothbay Harbor region. Incorporating both West Coast blues and Chicago styles into an original sound, the end product is a gritty, swinging, juke-joint high energy blues music. 

  DW Gill and the Blues Prophets Harp -  wizard, sax player, and on-fire front man DW Gill returns to the Maine blues scene with the legendary Blues Prophets, one of Maine’s first major blues acts. Formed in the early 70’s, DW and the Prophets blazed the blues trail throughout the state, and their reunion at this year’s festival promises to be explosive!  

Eric Green -  www.myspace.com/ericgreenband Eric Green describes himself as a “Penobscot/Maliseet Native American soulman carvin’ out a livin’ clawin’ on my guitars” who’s played in a long list of “seedy dives, bars, taverns... and hell holes” and “wouldn’t give it up for nothin’ (unless perhaps six figures were involved)”.We feel Eric is entirely too modest, so we’ll say instead that Eric and his band simply ooze swampy, funky mojo!

Kevin Kimball and the Steeldrivers -  www.kevinkimball.com This is raw, urban blues, straight up, no chaser. Comprised of slide guitarist and vocalist Kevin Kimball, master drummer Bub Lynch, and Don Whitcomb, “the bass player’s bass player”, the Steeldrivers feature slash-and-burn bottleneck blues and explosive arrangements. Wear loose clothing! 

Lex and Joe Blueswing -  www.lexandjoe.com Versatility is the keyword for this outfit. One minute they sound like the smooth swing bands of the 1930’s and 40’s; the next minute they sound like the “rave up” blues bands of the fifties and beyond.

Matt and the Barnburners -  www.mattandthebarnburners.com Matt Bilodeau has been a longtime fixture in the Maine blues scene, backing up other Maine blues acts on harp and vocals. Now fronting his own band, Matt brings to the stage an absolute passion and sincere commitment to the blues that is irresistible.

Meantone -  www.meantoneblues.com Meantone is “Original Graveyard Blues”, a duo comprised of Meantone on fretless slide guitar and throat and Young Bret on drums and percussion. Meantone’s unique guitar tuning along with Young Bret’s maximal playing of his minimalist drum kit make you think there are four or more people in the band!

The Mojo Romeos -  www.kevinkimball.com Originally called “The Shackdaddies”, the ‘Romeo’s are a semi-acoustic drummerless blues band that feature four accomplished instrumentalists, two of whom are frontmen in other bands. Think John Mayall’s “Turning Point” album. 

Roundhouse  - www.roundhouseblues.com Roundhouse combines the Memphis blues with New Orleans Zydeco plus a bit of the Chicago sound to create a gumbo of jump blues and swing.  The band's original material draws on influences such as the Neville Brothers and Roomful of Blues, producing sounds that make you want to groove.