Gabe Tonon and his Country & Western Revue are coming from Nashville to play the Opera House at 7:30 p.m. this Sunday, July 16. The band: bassist (and fellow Mainer) Elijah Ocean, drummer Kevin Finn, Leo Grassl on pedal steel guitar and Tonon, lead guitar.

Tonon is looking forward to returning to Boothbay Harbor and not just for the gig, but to kick back with family and friends he has not seen for 18 months.

Sometimes, Tonon said, it seems like it has taken a whole lifetime to come this far. And he has traveled a long way since that eighth grade talent show that led to his getting his first guitar (paid for 50/50 with dad Jim). Tonon’s first stage appearance as a musician in Maine was at the Opera House in 2007 in Noel Arrington’s former annual spring Old Time Opry.

A lot has happened since then. Tonon has played in Nashville country music landmarks like Roberts Western World; worked as a sessions musician, toured with Pat Reedy & the Longtime Goners, and the list goes on.

Sixteen years later, Tonon returns to that stage with his band of friends, playing the music they know and love. “When I was a guy 20 years ago going to Nashville for the first time, I didn’t think there would be any younger guys around who liked to play the old songs,” Tonon said.

Tonon and friends will play many country classics by Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wells. And there will be some original songs written by either Tonon or Ocean.

“I never could write songs until recently,” said Tonon. “This show will be the first time I will be singing my songs.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Boothbay’s native son and friends. Tickets are $15 in advance through the Opera House box office – in person at 86 Townsend Ave. or by calling 207-633-5159.