Gabe and Suz Wood

Whippoorwill Wood perform live for Maine Musicians documentary film — Suz & Gabe Wood of Whippoorwill Wood

Whippoorwill Wood is the longtime musical duo of Gabe and Suz Wood, who have been performing together for more than 20 years. Blending rock, folk, indie, and familiar classics, their music reflects influences ranging from Tom Petty and Neil Young to Pearl Jam and Gillian Welch. The Maine-based pair began playing together in their early twenties through open mics and local performances, continuing even while raising a family. Their performances at the Ivy Manor have become a favorite outlet because of the engaged outdoor crowds and community atmosphere.

Gabe and Suz Wood of Whippoorwill Wood

For more than 20 years, Gabe and Suz Wood have been making music together as partners in life and as the duo behind Whippoorwill Wood. Their sound is rooted in the music they grew up loving, shaped by years of performing together, raising a family, and building a life in Maine.

Live music Maine Musicians documentary film series — Whippoorwill Wood at the Ivy Manor Inn

Gabe began playing guitar in his late teens. Music was always something that pulled at him. He describes it as something that “needed to come out.” Suz had always been a singer, even back in high school, though performing never started as a formal career path. When the two met in their early twenties, playing music together happened naturally. Open mics became part of their routine, and before long, music had become a constant thread in their relationship.

Over the years, they played professionally for a time, took breaks when life required it, and then found their way back again. Even while raising children, music stayed in the picture. Performing remained something they returned to consistently, whether at local venues, community gatherings, or outdoor stages around Downeast Maine. Their oldest child has even started picking up instruments himself, teaching himself guitar and gravitating toward piano, continuing the family’s connection to music.

Gabe Wood with Mark Kanter on harmonica.

The duo’s roots in Maine run deep. Gabe has lived in Ellsworth his entire life. Suz moved to Maine when she was nine years old and has stayed ever since, building a home and community in the area. That connection to place comes through in the relaxed, approachable nature of their performances. They are musicians who clearly enjoy playing together and who value the shared experience between performer and audience.

Their musical influences stretch across generations and genres. Gabe grew up listening to artists like The Beatles, Tom Petty, and Neil Young, while also connecting with folk and indie artists such as Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. As a self-described “child of the 90s,” he also points to bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana as formative influences. Together, Gabe and Suz bring those inspirations into a style that blends rock, folk, indie, and familiar crowd favorites into one approachable live set.

Original songwriting is also part of Whippoorwill Wood’s identity. Gabe describes songwriting as unpredictable. Sometimes songs arrive easily and feel almost discovered rather than written. Other times, finding the next chord or lyric can feel like a struggle. That balance between inspiration and persistence has shaped the original music they perform alongside covers.

Their first season performing at the Ivy Manor became a meaningful experience for the duo. They connected deeply with the atmosphere of outdoor music in downtown Bar Harbor, where audiences gather intentionally and passersby stop on the street to listen. For Gabe and Suz, that energy matters. After years of playing bars where musicians sometimes fade into the background, they appreciate spaces where audiences truly engage with the music.

The name Whippoorwill Wood reflects both their family name and their connection to music at night. Inspired by the whippoorwill bird and their evening performances, the name stuck. Like their music itself, it feels rooted in nature, home, and shared experience.

Ivy Afternoons

Every afternoon from May through October, musicians from Mount Desert Island and abroad gather at the Ivy Manor Inn’s garden in Bar Harbor, Maine for good drinks, great music, and some outside goodness.

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

July 28, 2026July 5, 2026

Brandon Stallard and Matt Henley

Maine Musicians documentary film on Cryin'Out Loud — Matt Henley & Brandon Stallard of Cryin’Out Loud

Brandon Stallard and Matt Henley are core members of the Maine blues band Cryin’ Out Loud, a group known for blending traditional blues with Southern rock, soul, and original songwriting. Brandon, a guitarist and vocalist originally from Virginia, built the band through years of performing and drawing inspiration from classic blues and rock artists. Matt, a Maine pianist and keyboardist with jazz and classical roots, brought a new depth to the group through his Hammond organ and dynamic playing style. Together, they’ve helped Cryin’ Out Loud grow into one of Maine’s standout live blues acts, touring throughout the Northeast and building a reputation for energetic, authentic performances.

Brandon Stallard and Matt Henley of the band Cryin’ Out Loud have built their reputation the old-fashioned way — by playing everywhere they can, night after night, and letting the music speak for itself. Their sound blends traditional blues with rock, soul, improvisation, and original songwriting, creating a live show that feels rooted in classic American music while still sounding fresh and modern. Whether performing as a full band or stripped down to a smaller acoustic setup, the chemistry between the two musicians is easy to see.

For Brandon Stallard, music started early. His father was a professional musician, and growing up meant always being surrounded by instruments and working players. As a kid, Brandon remembers top-level musicians constantly coming through the house. His father tried teaching him guitar around the age of eight, but at first it didn’t stick. Brandon learned a couple chords and moved on. Then came Back to the Future. Watching Michael J. Fox’s famous performance in the film changed something. Suddenly he wanted to play for real. He went back to his father and said, “Let’s do this,” and this time the guitar stayed in his hands.

Brandon Stallard's guitar for Maine Musicians documentary film — Brandon Stallard’s guitar

Over time, Brandon fell deeply into blues music. The genre connected with him in a way other music didn’t. He grew up on classic rock from the 1960s and beyond, but once he discovered the blues, it became the center of everything. Eventually, he moved from Virginia to Maine after visiting the state on vacation with his wife. What started as a trip quickly turned permanent. Brandon jokes that even if he lived in Maine for 180 years, he would still never technically be a “Mainer,” but the move completely reshaped his life and music.

Brandon Stallard and Matt Henley of the band Cryin Out Loud have a laugh — Matt Henley and Brandon Stallard

Cryin’ Out Loud grew slowly. Brandon spent years cycling through different musicians, searching for the right combination of players before realizing he finally had a true band. He wanted more than technical ability. He wanted chemistry, reliability, and musicians who genuinely pushed each other creatively. Once the right lineup formed, the band quickly gained momentum around Maine and throughout the Northeast.

One major turning point came after the group opened for the Paul Nelson Band at a venue near Sugarloaf. After the show, Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Paul Nelson invited the band to breakfast the next morning. There, after hearing their original songs, Nelson asked if he could produce their debut album. For Brandon and the band, it was a surreal moment. Nelson had spent years working closely with legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, and suddenly Cryin’ Out Loud found themselves working with someone they deeply admired.

The resulting album, Play Loud, Smoke Often, helped push the band to another level. Recorded in Bangor and featuring contributions from several notable musicians, the album mixed blues roots with Southern rock and original songwriting influences inspired by groups like The Allman Brothers Band, Little Feat, and The Band. The title itself came from Brandon’s song “I Smoke Cigars and Play the Blues,” inspired by his life after moving to Maine.

Matt Henley on piano for Maine Musicians documentary film — Matt Henley

Not long after, keyboardist Matt Henley entered the picture.

Matt grew up in Maine and started playing piano when he was just four years old. His grandfather, who played by ear, would sit him on his lap and guide his hands across the keys. The first song Matt learned was “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain,” and from there the instrument became part of daily life. As he grew older, he developed strong backgrounds in jazz and classical music while drawing inspiration from artists like Ray Charles, Billy Joel, and keyboardist Reese Wynans.

When Matt joined Cryin’ Out Loud, he was immediately welcomed by Brandon and the rest of the group. Brandon later said he knew Matt was the right fit within seconds of hearing him play. Matt’s keyboard work added a new dimension to the band, especially his Hammond organ playing and ability to move between blues, jazz, and rock influences seamlessly. Though he was the newest and youngest member, Brandon described him as someone who pushed everyone else in the band to raise their level.

Today, Cryin’ Out Loud continues touring throughout the Northeast and beyond, including East Coast runs stretching as far as Florida. The group has become known not only for strong musicianship, but for the camaraderie between band members. Brandon describes life on the road as feeling like “summer camp forever,” full of long drives, jokes, and nights spent making music together.

At the center of it all is a shared love for live performance. Whether playing to packed crowds at the Ivy Manor Inn in Bar Harbor or touring outside Maine, Brandon Stallard and Matt Henley bring a style that feels genuine, soulful, and deeply connected to the traditions that inspired them in the first place.

More From Brandon Stallard and Matt Henley of Cryin’ Out Loud

https://www.cryinoutloudmusic.com/
Facebook: @cryinoutloudmaine
Instagram: @cryinoutloud_blues
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CryinOutLoud
Ivy Afternoons: concert series
More Maine Musicians
Ivy Afternoons
Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor
Every afternoon from May through October, musicians from Mount Desert Island and abroad gather at the Ivy Manor Inn’s garden in Bar Harbor, Maine for good drinks, great music, and some outside goodness.
Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.
Leirigh Films LLC
A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

July 21, 2026July 5, 2026

Abram Eagle Barrett

Abe Barrett is a Bar Harbor-born singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his percussive acoustic style, open tunings, and deeply personal songwriting. Largely self-taught, he developed his sound through years of lived experience, blending folk, acoustic rock, and alternative influences into music that feels raw and honest. After spending years performing and living in Hawaii, he returned to Maine and reconnected with the local music scene through performances at the Ivy Manor Inn. His songs often draw from real moments in his life, including building an off-grid home by hand and using music as a source of healing and stability.

https://youtu.be/wwM3MXpy4rM

Abram “Abe” Eagle Barrett has spent most of his life chasing something honest through music. Born and raised in Bar Harbor, Maine, Abe picked up his first guitar around the age of 12. His family was musical, and there always seemed to be an acoustic guitar nearby, especially one belonging to his father. But for Abe, the instrument quickly became more than background noise or a hobby. It became an outlet. A lifeline.

Abram Eagle Barrett singer/songwriter from Maine — Abram Eagle Barrett

By the time he was older, music had become deeply tied to survival and self-expression. Abe openly describes songwriting and guitar playing as “medicinal.” Through difficult stretches of life, the guitar became the thing he turned to instead of destructive habits. He credits music with helping save his life more than once. That emotional honesty runs through nearly everything he writes and performs.

Abe briefly attended the University of Maine at Augusta’s jazz program when he was 18, but the experience was short-lived. He lasted about a month before realizing he wasn’t ready for it. Instead of formal training, he continued teaching himself. Over time, he developed a distinctive style rooted in acoustic rock, alternative influences, and intricate open tunings. He especially gravitated toward DADGAD tuning and the kinds of textured acoustic sounds heard on records like Led Zeppelin. His playing became highly rhythmic and percussive, layered with gritty but smooth vocals that carry equal parts weariness and warmth.

His influences are wide-ranging. Artists like Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Michael Hedges, Steven Stills, Radiohead, Galactic, G. Love, and Ray LaMontagne all helped shape the sound he eventually carved out for himself. But more than anything, Abe’s songs come directly from lived experience. He writes about real events, struggles, healing, and the strange beauty that can come from hard times.

For a period of his life, Abe disappeared from the Maine music scene almost entirely. He moved to Hawaii and spent about five years there, living and working on farms while performing music around Kona and Maui. During that time, he stayed mostly disconnected from social media and the online world, making him hard to track down back home. Eventually, a chance gig at the Black Moon Café in Ellsworth led to reconnecting with old friends and ultimately brought him back into the local Bar Harbor music community.

In recent years, Abe has become a regular performer at the Ivy Manor Inn, where the outdoor setting and open-air crowds fit perfectly with his style. He loves the unpredictability of the space. People hear the music drifting down Main Street, wander in off the sidewalk, grab a drink, and stay for a while. For Abe, that immediate connection is what performing is all about. He talks about chasing the feeling certain songs give him — goosebumps, tears, a sense that something real has connected. That’s the kind of music he hopes to create for others.

One of the clearest examples of that personal storytelling appears in a song inspired by building his off-grid home in Sullivan, Maine. Roughly seven years ago, Abe took a piece of land he had owned for decades and, with very little money, cut down trees on the property himself. Using a chainsaw mill, he turned those trees into lumber and built a 16-by-16 cabin almost entirely by hand. For two years, he and his wife lived in a tarp tent through Maine winters while finishing the structure. During that same period, his wife suffered a serious heart episode. The experience pushed him emotionally and physically, but it also became the inspiration for some of his most personal songs. Today, the cabin remains largely off-grid, without full electricity or running water, but to Abe it represents resilience, simplicity, and gratitude.

Maine Musicians documentary Abram Eagle Barrett — Abram Eagle Barrett performs live at the Ivy Manor Inn.

Outside of music, Abe is also an artist and sculptor who recently illustrated and wrote a children’s book. Though his online presence remains relatively small, he continues writing constantly and estimates he has dozens of original songs waiting to be recorded.

At the center of everything Abe Barrett creates is authenticity. His songs are not polished stories invented for effect. They are lived-in experiences shaped into music — raw at times, hopeful at others, but always honest.

More from Abe Barrett

Spotify: Abram Eagle Barrett
Apple Music: Abram Eagle Barrett
Youtube Music: Abe Eagle Barrett
Ivy Manor Music Show Podcast: Abe Barrett
Ivy Afternoons: concert series
More Maine Musicians
Ivy Afternoons
Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor
Every afternoon from May through October, musicians from Mount Desert Island and abroad gather at the Ivy Manor Inn’s garden in Bar Harbor, Maine for good drinks, great music, and some outside goodness.
Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.
Leirigh Films LLC
A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

July 7, 2026July 1, 2026

Dan Lorey

Dan Lorey is a longtime musician based in the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island area who has been playing guitar for more than 50 years. Originally from Long Island, New York, he moved to Maine in 2004 and became deeply involved in the local music community. Influenced early by The Beatles and classic rock, Lorey performs a wide mix of blues, folk, rock, country, and pop music both solo and with the Dan Lorey Band. He is also part of the acoustic trio Grumpy Old Men alongside Mark Kanter and Scott Allen. Known for his broad setlist and collaborative spirit, Lorey values the supportive community of seasoned musicians across MDI.

Maine Musician, Dan Lorey performs infront of a live crowd — Dan performs live.

Dan Lorey of Maine Musicians Documentary Series

For more than 50 years, Dan Lorey has been building a life around music. What started with a Beatles obsession and a teenage fascination with Deep Purple eventually became decades of performing, collaborating, and playing for audiences across the Mount Desert Island area. Today, he is one of the many seasoned musicians helping shape the local music scene around Bar Harbor.

Lorey grew up on Long Island, New York, and first picked up a guitar in 1972. Like many young guitar players of that era, hearing Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” changed everything. He went out and bought the album, picked up an electric guitar, and began taking music seriously while still in high school. More than five decades later, he still hasn’t put the instrument down.

In 2004, Lorey moved to Maine, leaving behind what he called “the rat race.” He settled into the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island community, where he found a thriving network of musicians and venues. Over the years, he has become a familiar face around town, playing both solo performances and with several different groups.

Mark 'Bluesboy' Kanter and Dan Lorey perform live music — Mark ‘Bluesboy’ Kanter and Dan Lorey

One of his main projects is the Dan Lorey Band, a rock trio that blends blues rock, classic popular music, country, and acoustic favorites. He also performs regularly as a solo musician, drawing from a huge catalog of songs that spans folk, classic rock, blues, pop, and country. Lorey credits much of that musical diversity to growing up with The Beatles. Their wide-ranging style shaped the way he approaches music. Rather than staying locked into one genre, he prefers to play “a little of everything.”

That flexibility has become one of his trademarks. If someone requests a song he does not know, there is a good chance he will go home, learn it, and add it to the setlist for the next performance. Over the years, that habit has helped him build a deep repertoire designed to connect with almost any audience.

Lorey is also part of the acoustic trio Grumpy Old Men alongside fellow local musicians Mark Kanter and Scott Allen. The group formed naturally after years of crossing paths in pickup bands, local performances, and substitute gigs around the area. After playing together in different combinations for nearly a decade, the chemistry came easily. Lorey describes it as “finishing each other’s sentences.” Their long experience and shared musical history allow the group to play with an ease that only comes from years of collaboration.

A favorite place for Lorey to perform is the Ivy Manor in Bar Harbor. He enjoys the outdoor setting, the steady flow of people walking through town, and the constantly changing audience throughout the afternoon. Some listeners stop for a single song. Others stay for a full set. For Lorey, that variety keeps every performance interesting.

What stands out most in Lorey’s story is his appreciation for the local music community. He speaks highly of the support among musicians in the area and the lack of competition or ego that sometimes defines music scenes elsewhere. Instead, he sees the Bar Harbor and MDI community as a place where experienced players “cross-pollinate,” sit in with each other’s groups, and create something new every time they play together.

Even after half a century of performing, Dan Lorey still approaches music with the same curiosity that first drew him to the guitar as a teenager. Whether he is playing solo at the Ivy, performing with his trio, or learning a new song after a crowd request, music remains a constant part of his life.

More information on Dan Lorey

Facebook: @DanLoreyBand
Ivy Manor Music Show: Dan Lorey

Ivy Afternoons

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

July 4, 2026

Cory Fong

Cory Fong is a traveling musician originally from Florida who combines loop stations, synthesizer guitar, and 12-string acoustic guitar to create layered solo performances. After years of playing in garage bands, he turned to looping technology about 12 years ago so he could build full arrangements on his own. He discovered the Ivy Manor while busking in Bar Harbor and was inspired after hearing musician Hannah Risley perform outside the venue. Alongside performing music from the 1970s through today, Fong also uses his “singing shark underscore” project to promote shark conservation awareness through social media and street performance.

Cory Fong, Featured on Maine Musicians Documentary Series

For Cory Fong, music became a way to keep going when bands could not. What started in middle school with guitar and garage bands eventually evolved into a one-man performance built around technology, creativity, and constant motion.

Documentary film, Cory Fong music — Cory Fong

Originally from Florida, Fong moved to New England about ten years ago, settling near Boston while continuing to travel throughout the summers. Along the way, he developed a unique live setup that combines a loop station, synthesizer guitar, and 12-string acoustic guitar. The result is a solo performance that sounds much bigger than one musician alone. Using loops and layered sounds, he performs covers from the 1970s through today, blending familiar songs with high-energy arrangements.

Music has been part of his life for roughly 25 years. Like many musicians, he started out in small bands with friends. But over time, keeping groups together became difficult. People moved away, went to college, got married, or focused on work. Fong always found himself wanting to keep playing. About 12 years ago, he discovered loop stations, which allowed him to create his own backing arrangements in real time. It changed everything for him. Instead of relying on a full band, he could build songs piece by piece onstage and perform independently while still creating a layered, dynamic sound.

Cory Fong setting up for music and documentary film. — Setting up.

That independence also led him into street performance. Traveling city to city during the summer, Fong busks and performs wherever he can connect with audiences. His introduction to Bar Harbor and the Ivy Manor happened almost by accident. Walking through town one day, he heard musician Hannah Risley performing outside the Ivy. He stopped immediately. During one of her songs, he found himself instinctively singing the harmony part while standing on the sidewalk. Impressed by the performance and atmosphere, he introduced himself to Brian at the Ivy and asked what it would take to perform there himself.

At the time, all he had with him was a 12-string guitar. The Ivy staff had no idea about the looping setup or synthesizer elements that would later become part of his show, but they gave him an opportunity. A few weeks later, he returned for his performance and quickly became part of the Ivy’s growing community of musicians.

For Fong, the Ivy stood out because of its atmosphere as much as the music itself. He describes the audiences as attentive, relaxed, and welcoming. Vacationers settle into shaded chairs while local musicians and visitors drift in and out throughout the day. He spent much of his time in Bar Harbor not just performing, but listening to other artists there. He admired the range of talent and energy at the venue, from quieter performances to his own more upbeat, high-energy style.

He also found inspiration in the physical setting itself. While playing guitar, he often looked up at the leaves moving in the wind above the courtyard. Combined with the summer weather and outdoor setting, those moments became part of what made his time at the Ivy memorable.

Outside of music, Fong has also tied his performances to ocean conservation awareness. Through his Instagram project, “singing shark underscore,” he documents his adventures busking and performing while dressed as a shark costume character. The project focuses especially on raising awareness for shark conservation. Though he describes it more as a personal blog than a music page, it reflects the same creativity and individuality that define his performances.

Cory Fong sings in Bar Harbor for Maine Musicians documentary film. — Cory Fong

Whether on a sidewalk, at a summer venue, or building songs live through looping pedals and layered guitars, Cory Fong has created a musical path built on persistence, adaptability, and a genuine love for performing.

Ivy Afternoons

Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

June 23, 2026May 20, 2026

Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson is a Bar Harbor musician and jazz piano student whose performances blend jazz standards, blues, soul, rock, and familiar pop songs. Born in Germany to an Italian mother and raised moving between countries, he developed a deep appreciation for music, culture, and connection at an early age. After decades of playing music — beginning as a drummer in a family band with his brothers — he eventually shifted toward piano and vocals while becoming part of the close-knit Mount Desert Island music community. Known for his relaxed style and love of live performance, Anderson focuses on creating welcoming, audience-friendly experiences rather than chasing attention or social media exposure.

Maine Live Music with Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson has spent most of his life around music, even if he never made a big production out of it. Quietly and steadily, music has always been there. It followed him through childhood, through years of moving around the world, and eventually to Bar Harbor, where he has become part of the local music community he cares deeply about.

Anderson describes himself simply as someone who loves to play and perform. These days, he is best known around Bar Harbor for singing and performing at local venues, often blending jazz standards, blues, soul, rock, and familiar pop songs into sets designed to connect with audiences. He considers himself a student of jazz piano, but singing remains one of his favorite parts of performing. For him, there is something deeply enjoyable about simply standing in front of people and sharing songs.

Michael Anderson performing Maine live music — Michael Anderson

His path to music started early. Around the age of 11, Anderson formed a family band with his two brothers. His oldest brother played guitar, his younger brother played bass, and Michael took the role of drummer. Like many young musicians, they played garage-band style gigs, including school dances and local events. Drums remained his primary instrument for nearly half of his musical life before he eventually shifted toward piano and vocals. Even as styles and instruments changed, the connection to music never disappeared.

Anderson’s life outside of music was shaped by constant movement. He describes himself as a “service brat,” growing up in a military family that relocated frequently. He was born in Germany to an Italian mother and spent much of his childhood connected to Italy, especially Venice, where large portions of his extended family lived. Summers were often spent there, and over time Venice became almost like a second home. He grew up immersed in Italian culture, language, food, and family traditions, eventually becoming fluent in Italian himself.

Maine live music with Michael Anderson on piano — Michael Anderson piano

That international upbringing helped shape the way Anderson approaches people and music. His style is intentionally flexible. Rather than focusing on one genre, he tries to read the room and give audiences something familiar they can connect with. In one setting that might mean jazz standards. Somewhere else it could lean into blues, soul, or classic rock. He prefers songs people recognize — music that allows listeners to settle in, sing along internally, and feel comfortable.

In 2020, Anderson and his wife relocated to Bar Harbor after spending time in places like San Diego and England. While he jokes that he struggles with self-promotion and avoids social media entirely, he has still built strong connections through word of mouth and through the island’s close-knit music scene. For Anderson, the community of musicians around Mount Desert Island is one of the area’s greatest strengths. He describes local musicians as his “tribe,” a group of talented people connected by a shared love of music and performance.

Though retired now, Anderson remains active as a performer, playing regularly at venues around Bar Harbor, including the historic Balance Rock Inn. He speaks highly of the inn and its restoration from a neglected old summer cottage into one of the area’s premier destinations. He also became involved with the Ivy Manor Inn’s outdoor music series, where he performed for the first time during the summer of 2024.

The outdoor setting immediately appealed to him. Playing outside, surrounded by people enjoying a summer evening in Bar Harbor, felt natural and relaxed. Anderson appreciates environments where music becomes part of the atmosphere rather than the center of attention. That easygoing attitude reflects much of his personality. Despite decades of performing, he still seems slightly surprised by attention or recognition, admitting during his interview that he is not naturally outgoing and was caught off guard by the idea of being featured in a documentary project.

Maine live music crowd at the Ivy Manor Inn — The garden at the Ivy.

But that humility is part of what makes his performances memorable. Anderson approaches music without ego. He is not interested in building an online brand or chasing attention. He simply enjoys playing songs, connecting with audiences, and spending time within the music community he values so much. These days, retired and living near the head of Mount Desert Island, he says he is content with a simple rhythm of life: playing music, gardening, and enjoying the place he now calls home.

More Maine Live Music on Maine Musicians

Ivy Afternoons

Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

June 16, 2026May 19, 2026

David Dawson

David Dawson is a Bar Harbor musician, retired scientist, and educator whose lifelong love of guitar began in middle school. After a career in electrical engineering, biology, and cystic fibrosis research, he retired and devoted more time to music, performing classic rock, folk, blues, and pop covers inspired by artists like Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. A regular performer at the Ivy Manor Inn, Dawson is known for his relaxed style, audience interaction, and commitment to community, regularly donating his performance tips to the Bar Harbor Food Pantry. His life reflects a unique balance of science, teaching, and music, all tied together by a love of connecting with people.

David “Dirty Dawg” Dawson has spent much of his life moving between two worlds that do not often overlap. One world is science. The other is music. He’s managed to build a meaningful life in both.

Dawson grew up in Pittsburgh and first picked up a guitar when he was in middle school. Like many kids at the time, he was introduced to music through school band recruitment programs. At first, he wanted to play trumpet. His father was not convinced. Then came the drums, which also did not win much parental support. Eventually, someone came around offering guitar lessons, and that idea finally stuck. Dawson took only a handful of lessons before deciding to teach himself, a pattern that would continue for the rest of his life.

Acoustic guitar at Bar Harbor live music — David Dawson’s Guitar

The guitar became a constant companion.

Over the decades, Dawson developed a relaxed and approachable style centered around classic pop, folk, blues, and rock songs. He gravitated toward artists like Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. He jokes that he once hoped to play guitar like Clapton, though he admits he never quite reached that level. Still, the joy for him was never about technical perfection. It was about connection. He especially loves songs that allow him to simply sit with a guitar, sing honestly, and share music people already know and love. Though he has written a few original blues songs over the years, Dawson mostly performs covers because, as he explains, he enjoys other people’s music too much to stop playing it.

At the same time music was growing in his life, Dawson was building a serious academic career. Originally trained as an electrical engineer, he later earned a PhD in biology and went on to study biophysics related to human disease. Much of his scientific work focused on cystic fibrosis, researching how genetic mutations cause disease and how damaged gene products might someday be repaired. His work connected him with major figures in science, including Francis Collins, the longtime leader of the Human Genome Project and former director of the National Institutes of Health. But even in those highly technical circles, music still found its place. Dawson remembers gathering with Collins not to talk science, but to play music together.

Bar Harbor live music sound check — Sound check.

That crossover between science and music has always fascinated him. Over the years, he noticed how many scientists were also musicians. Maybe the disciplines require similar ways of thinking. Maybe both demand creativity, patience, and curiosity. Dawson does not claim to fully understand the connection, but he has lived it for most of his life.

After roughly 45 years working in science and academia, Dawson retired about a decade ago. Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down. Instead, it opened more time for two passions: music and teaching. Alongside performing, Dawson began studying economics and federal finance, eventually teaching classes focused on government spending and social justice. He believes deeply that economic systems should work better for ordinary people and that misunderstanding public finance often prevents meaningful progress. His interest in the subject comes from a broader concern for fairness and helping vulnerable communities.

That same motivation carries into his music performances.

Bar Harbor live music tips going to the Food Pantry — Donations Bucket

When Dawson plays around Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island, he regularly donates all of his tip money to the Bar Harbor Food Pantry. For him, the performances are about more than entertainment. They are a way to support the local community while bringing people together through music. He recognizes that food insecurity exists even in beautiful tourist towns, and he sees the donations as one small way to help.

In recent years, Dawson has become a familiar face at the Ivy Manor Inn in Bar Harbor, one of his favorite places to perform. He loves the outdoor atmosphere. There are no echoing walls, no constant clinking glasses, and no separation between performer and audience. People wander in off Main Street, sit outside with friends, and become part of the show. Dawson especially enjoys interacting with the crowd, joking between songs, reading the audience, and feeding off the relaxed energy of the space.

Family listening to Bar Harbor live music — Family Listening to David Dawson

Even after decades in science, teaching, and music, Dawson still approaches performing with curiosity and enthusiasm. Whether discussing gene mutations, economics, or classic rock songs, he brings the same thoughtful energy to each conversation. But at the end of the day, music remains the thing he simply loves most — a guitar in hand, a crowd nearby, and a chance to connect with people for a few hours on a summer evening in Bar Harbor.

More Maine Musicians

Mark “Bluesboy” Kanter, GOM Band Member
Scott Allen, GOM Band Member
Dan Lorey, , GOM Band Member

Ivy Afternoons

Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

June 9, 2026July 4, 2026

Travis Patterson and Molly Moon

Band Quiet for Sue for Maine Musicians documentary film — Molly Moon and Travis Patterson of Quiet for Sue

Quiet for Sue is a Bar Harbor duo made up of Travis Patterson and Molly Moon, combining guitar, trumpet, looping pedals, and harmonized vocals into energetic live performances. Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the pair quickly built a following through their mix of classic rock, pop, folk, and modern covers. Regular performers at the Ivy Manor Inn, they’re known for their relaxed chemistry, crowd-friendly song choices, and authentic live sound. Their performances blend technical creativity with a fun, approachable atmosphere that connects with both locals and visitors.

Bar Harbor Live Music Molly Moon and Travis Patterson of Quiet for Sue

Quiet for Sue is a Bar Harbor-based duo made up of musicians Travis Patterson and Molly Moon, whose energetic live performances combine looping pedals, layered instrumentation, and a shared love of crowd-pleasing songs. Though the group has only been playing together for a relatively short time, they’ve quickly become a familiar part of the local music scene, especially through their performances at the Ivy Manor Inn. Mixing songs from the 1960s through today, their shows blend classic rock, pop, folk, and modern hits into a style that feels both polished and relaxed.

Molly Moon of the band Quiet for Sue sings in the Maine Musicians documentary film series. — Molly Moon

The duo came together during the COVID-19 pandemic through a mutual friend who thought the two musicians might click creatively. At the time, Travis was getting back into music after a long break. He had played guitar for years growing up, but stepped away from it between high school and the pandemic. When COVID slowed everything down, he found himself returning to music more seriously.

Molly also brought years of experience playing trumpet, having studied while growing up. For Molly, singing was a newer experience. She had performed only a little in high school and college before reconnecting with music later on. Initially nervous about singing in front of people, she gradually found confidence through performing live. She describes singing as much more vulnerable than playing an instrument because there’s nothing to hide behind—just the performer and the audience. Over time, though, that vulnerability became part of what she enjoys most about performing.

Travis on wireless guitar, performing for the Maine Musicians documentary film series. — Travis on wireless.

Together, Travis and Molly built Quiet for Sue from the ground up. Their early rehearsals were simple: a small amp, an old microphone, a guitar, and not much else. As they grew, Travis invested heavily in equipment and learned how to use looping pedals, synthesizers, and expanded sound systems to create a fuller, more layered performance. Their shows now incorporate guitar, harmonized vocals, trumpet, synthesized sounds, and live looping that allows the two musicians to create the sound of a much larger group.

The band’s name came from a running joke with Travis’s neighbor, Sue, who would occasionally ask them to quiet down during rehearsals. Every evening around 7:30, rehearsals would wrap up with the phrase “quiet for Sue,” and eventually the joke became too perfect not to use as the band’s official name. Thankfully, Sue embraced the humor and has since become something of the band’s unofficial mascot, even showing up at performances to support them.

Quiet for Sue is now in its second season performing at the Ivy Manor Inn, where the outdoor atmosphere and lively Bar Harbor crowds have become a major part of their identity as performers. Both Travis and Molly enjoy the energy of the setting—the open air, the passing tourists and locals, and the feeling that the music spreads throughout downtown. They often watch people walking down Main Street hear the music from a distance, slowly wander closer, and end up staying for part of the show. Molly describes it as feeling like they are performing not just for the audience seated in front of them, but for an entire section of town.

Outside of music, both members balance busy professional lives. Molly works as the public affairs coordinator at MDI Hospital while also bartending and serving at Side Street Cafe. Travis works in Bar Harbor as well, and together they continue to fit music into evenings, weekends, and summers whenever they can.

What makes Quiet for Sue stand out most is their chemistry and authenticity onstage. They openly acknowledge that live music is imperfect, and rather than hiding mistakes, they embrace the spontaneity of performing in the moment. If a vocal cracks or a loop pedal misfires, they adjust and keep moving. That resilience—and the sense that everything happening onstage is genuinely live and human—is a big part of what audiences connect with. Whether they’re playing for a packed lawn at the Ivy or experimenting in a new venue out of state, Travis Patterson and Molly Moon bring a sense of fun, honesty, and collaboration that continues to define Quiet for Sue.

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Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor

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A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

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Griffin Graves

Griffin Graves is a Maine singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for blending folk, rock, and Americana influences into thoughtful, story-driven performances. Inspired by artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and John Prine, his music focuses on the meaning found in everyday life and ordinary experiences. A regular performer at the Ivy Manor Inn in Bar Harbor, Griffin has built a dynamic live show that incorporates guitar, harmonica, piano, and original songwriting. His style combines strong storytelling, emotional honesty, and a deep appreciation for the connections music creates between people.

Maine Native Griffin Graves

Griffin Graves is a Maine musician whose performances blend folk, rock, Americana, and storytelling into a style that feels both classic and personal. A multi-instrumentalist who regularly switches between guitar, harmonica, piano, and vocals during his live sets, Griffin has become a familiar face in the Bar Harbor music scene, especially through his performances at the Ivy Manor Inn. But his path into music was less about chasing fame and more about gradually discovering a voice of his own—one song, one instrument, and one performance at a time.

Maine Musician Griffin Graves' acoustic guitar — Griffin’s coustic guitar.

Griffin grew up with a deep appreciation for music and storytelling, drawn especially to songwriters like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and John Prine. Their ability to take ordinary experiences and turn them into meaningful stories had a lasting impact on him. That influence would later shape not only his songwriting style, but even the title of one of his albums, Beautifully Mundane. The phrase came from a conversation with a friend about why artists like Springsteen resonated so strongly with him. Griffin explained that those writers focused on everyday life—the struggles, routines, relationships, and emotions that most people experience but often overlook. That idea became central to his own work.

After graduating college in 2015 from the University of Maine at Farmington, Griffin started performing more regularly at restaurants and smaller venues. Those early gigs helped him gain experience, but they often felt more like background music than true performances. People were there to eat, talk, and socialize, while the music drifted around the edges of the room. It wasn’t until he began performing at the Ivy Manor Inn that things started to click. The outdoor atmosphere, open-air setting, and engaged audiences gave him the freedom to relax and fully lean into performing. He remembers seeing people walking down Main Street stop to listen, slowly drawn in by the music before deciding to stay for a song—or sometimes an entire set. That connection with listeners made him realize this was something he truly wanted to pursue.

Griffin Graves at the Piano — Griffin Graves at the piano.

Over time, Griffin’s performances evolved dramatically. What began as a simple guitar-and-vocal setup slowly expanded into a much larger production involving multiple guitars, harmonicas, piano, pedals, and layered instrumentation. Each instrument carries its own purpose and, often, its own story. One of the most meaningful pieces in his collection is a 12-string Taylor guitar that belonged to a fellow musician named Gary, whom Griffin knew through local open mic nights. Before Gary passed away during the pandemic, he told his wife he wanted his instruments to go to musicians who would continue playing them rather than letting them sit unused. A month after his death, Griffin received the guitar. He has kept nearly everything about it exactly the same, including the handwritten notes Gary left on it while learning songs later in life. To Griffin, instruments become more than tools—they carry memories, histories, and connections between musicians.

Family has also played a huge role in Griffin’s journey. His parents have been deeply supportive from the beginning, especially his father, Ron, who has become an essential part of Griffin’s live shows. On gig days, Ron helps unload equipment, wire sound systems, record performances, and manage setup and breakdown. Griffin jokes that his father has become part roadie, part sound engineer, part cameraman, and part tour manager. Together, they’ve developed such a rhythm that they can unload and set up an entire performance in around ten minutes, even during the busiest summer days in Bar Harbor.

In addition to performing covers, Griffin has devoted himself to writing original music. His second album, Beautifully Mundane, was written during a period of major transition shortly after college. The songs focus on ordinary but emotionally universal experiences: friendship struggles, relationship problems, uncertainty about the future, and the strange feeling of adjusting to adulthood. Griffin recorded the album himself over roughly nine months, learning how to mix and refine the recordings along the way. Rather than obsessing over perfection, he pushed himself simply to keep writing, believing even imperfect ideas were worth pursuing because they might eventually become something meaningful.

That philosophy of following curiosity and connection also appears in one of Griffin’s favorite stories from his college years. While walking across campus at Farmington one day, he heard someone playing a song in the distance that immediately stuck with him. He never found the musician, but the melody stayed in his head for years. Later, while visiting Quincy Market in Boston, he suddenly heard the same song being played by a street performer. After the set, Griffin asked the musician what the song was—it turned out to be “Clay Pigeons” by John Prine. Incredibly, the performer revealed he had once attended the University of Maine at Farmington and had often played that same song outside his dorm years earlier. Griffin realized he had unknowingly carried that memory all the way from college to a random street corner in Boston.

Griffin Gravesperforming at the Ivy — Griffin performing at the Ivy.

Today, Griffin Graves continues to grow as both a performer and songwriter, building shows that feel intimate, thoughtful, and deeply human. Whether he’s performing a Springsteen cover, switching between harmonica and guitar, or sharing original songs about ordinary life, his music reflects the same belief that has guided him from the beginning: even the most everyday moments can hold something meaningful if you take the time to really listen.

For more on Griffin Graves

Facebook/Instagram: @griffingravesmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6I9JK8fGIU6rHpjnyOIu9R
Ivy Afternoons: concert series

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Ivy Afternoons logo music of Bar Harbor

Ivy Afternoons is a 6 part documentary series.

Leirigh Films LLC

A small film and video production studio focused on creating inspiring, meaningful, and enlightening films and stories.

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Hannah Risley

Maine Musician Hannah Risley

Hannah Risley is a singer and guitarist originally from Arizona who has become a popular performer in Maine’s live music scene. She began gigging as a teenager at a Scottsdale restaurant and developed a love

Maine Musicians Hannah Risley sings and plays acoustic guitar — Hannah Risley

for connecting with audiences through intimate live shows. Her style blends folk, country, soulful acoustic songs, alternative music, and classic rock, with a song selection designed to appeal to all ages. Now a regular at the Ivy Manor Inn, she is known for her calm stage presence, authentic performances, and the sentimental guitar passed down from her grandfather, who first taught her to play.

Hannah Risley is a singer and guitarist whose warm, understated performances have made her a favorite on Mount Desert Island’s live music scene. Originally from Arizona, Hannah now performs regularly in Maine, where she has become a familiar presence at the Ivy Manor Inn and other local venues. With nearly a decade of gigging experience, she typically plays several shows each week, bringing a calm confidence and wide-ranging songbook to every performance.

Maine Musicians Hannah Risley performs at the Ivy Manor Inn. — Hannah Risley performs at the Ivy Manor Inn.

Her start in live music came in a humble and organic way. As a teenager in Arizona, Hannah was invited to perform at a restaurant owned by a friend’s mother called The Herb Box. At first, she played as part of a duo with her friend—Hannah on guitar, her friend singing lead, with both of them performing mainly for tips. They quickly discovered they loved playing live, but when her friend became too busy to continue, Hannah asked if she could keep performing solo. The answer was yes, and soon she was being paid officially while continuing to earn tips. She went on to play weekly gigs at the restaurant for five years, often performing brunches or Friday and Saturday evening sets. That experience helped shape her love for restaurant performances and the unique connection they create between musician and audience.

Music had already been part of Hannah’s life long before those early gigs. Her grandfather, a talented singer, guitarist, and songwriter, was the person who first taught her how to play. He showed her the basic chords and introduced her to songs like “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” whose dramatic storytelling and memorable guitar parts left a lasting impression on her as a 12-year-old. From there, Hannah taught herself more through determination and curiosity, using YouTube to learn additional chords and techniques. One of her early goals was mastering “Dust in the Wind,” a song she loved for its challenging fingerpicking pattern. She eventually learned it, and it remains one of her favorites to sing.

Maine Musicians Hannah Risley's acoustic guitar — Guitar

Her grandfather’s influence is still central to her music today. After he passed away, his guitar was passed down to Hannah, and it has become her constant companion onstage. Though she jokes that it is large and bulky—built for a full-grown man rather than her smaller frame—she refuses to play anything else. To her, the instrument carries both a rich sound and a personal connection, something that keeps her grandfather’s presence close whenever she performs.

After moving to Maine, Hannah’s next chapter began through chance. While working at a luxury glamping resort, she met Brian, who was bartending an event there. He invited her to perform at the Ivy Manor Inn, even though she had never heard of it before. She accepted, and what followed became one of the most rewarding parts of her career. She is now in her fourth season performing there, where the outdoor setting, ivy-covered building, passing dogs, and crowds of visitors from around the world make each show feel lively and inspiring.

Hannah describes herself as a quiet performer, someone who prefers to let the songs speak rather than fill the space between them with chatter. She is not shy—she simply believes the music should be the focus. Her style spans folk, country, soulful acoustic songs, alternative favorites, and classic rock, with a setlist designed to connect with listeners of all ages. She balances older classics with newer songs, constantly adding to binders full of material collected over the years.

Maine Musicians Hannah Risley in the crowd. — Garden at the Ivy Manor Inn.

Now in her mid-twenties, Hannah performs with the ease of someone who has truly found her place onstage. She says she never gets nervous singing for strangers anymore, only occasionally when loved ones are in the crowd. That steady confidence, combined with her authenticity and heartfelt style, is what makes Hannah Risley such a memorable performer.

More on Hannah Risley

Instagram: @hannahrisleymusic

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