“It’s great to be back after three years off from COVID,” said host John Schindler as he welcomed the audience to the return of Open Mic Nights at the Opera House of Boothbay Harbor. Empty seats were sparse as about 75 concert goers turned out for the much-missed winter gatherings.

The Friends of the Opera House served chili and cornbread in the gallery, the bar sold libations and other drinks. Boothbay Region TV (Channel 7) was there to broadcast the event.

Guitarist-singer-songwriter Chip Schwehm kicked off the evening with two songs, including a soulful cover of “One More Night in Brooklyn,” by late country artist Justin Townes Earle. Schwehm’s vocal styling is the perfect combination of powerful and gentle for the songs he performed. He later returned to the stage for an encore performance of “Home Is With You,” which he wrote.  

“It’s nice to have something to do in the winter,” Schwehm said in reference to the return of Open Mic nights.

Next up, Robert Moore of Ocean Point, the only keyboard player of the evening, played three songs including “Sit Down Young Stranger” by Gordon Lightfoot.

The Newagen Crew, a band playing acoustic guitars, a harmonica and a violin, took the stage next, presenting two songs, one of which was “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson. The group’s encore performance covered “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young and “Who’ll Stop the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, an excellent choice of song for a band containing three guitars as the song involves an early, driving guitar riff backed by steady roots-rock sounds.

John Leonard and Bill Walsh make up the Cross River Band playing guitar and banjo. Their opening set included “I’ll Fly Away,” a 1929 gospel hymn by Alfred Brumley and “The Glendale Train” by John Dawson. An encore performance included country song “King of the Road” by Roger Miller.

Fifth in the lineup was an emotional William Perritt, guitarist, singer-songwriter of Dolores, Colorado and son of recently deceased Opera House patron and volunteer Margaret Perritt. William, in town going through his mother’s home and handling estate matters, took the stage with two trance-inducing original songs he wrote. His unique folk stylings included relatable lyrics and powerful rhythmic swells, while his strumming carried the tempo. The intimate setting was the perfect backdrop for his sensitive, moving ode to his mother.

A duo known only as John and Jan in the playbill concluded the lineup. John on guitar and Jan playing violin performed “Roller Derby Queen” by Jim Croce and “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King in their opening two-song set. Their encore round provided two more songs, “Workin’ at the Carwash Blues,”  another Croce song and an utterly brilliant performance of Bob Seger’s, “Turn the Page,” a song known for earthy vocalization that often sacrifices the singer’s voice. The road song popularized artist portrayals of their nomadic lifestyles and endless touring. It is also known for breaking the boundaries of several musical genres, and music critics often feel studio recordings don’t capture the essence of the song, that it must be performed live to truly experience it.

The Opera House will continue to host these popular Open Mic events the fourth Friday of the month throughout winter.