08 Mar Songwriters on Stage March 18

We’re happy to be working with Meetinghouse Arts in Freeport, to present Songwriters on Stage. The evening was curated by Yarmouth singer-songwriter, Tim Winchester. Tim will be joined by Karen McDine, Ben Wood, and Laurie Jones. Meetinghouse Arts is in the acoustically-stunning church space at 40 Main Street in Freeport. The show starts at 7:00pm. Tickets are $20 (10% discount for full paying members). Purchase in advance here or at the door.

About the artists:

Laurie Jones is an American Singer/songwriter that has been dubbed “the missing link between Dusty Springfield and Tom Petty. She has been referred to as “Chrissie Hynde with a folk guitar” and compared to Lucinda Williams and Sheryl Crow for her Americana and Folk-Rock influences. These comparisons she happily and humbly accepts. Influenced by a multitude of styles, Jones combines the craft of songwriting with her own unique sounds that ranges from Rock to Gospel. Whether playing her songs acoustic solo, or backed by her rock solid band, Jones delivers the lyrical sass and musical punch she has built her reputation on.

Laurie Jones’ latest release, Dark Horse, is available wherever you prefer to stream music and/or CDs.

Karen McDine is a unique singer/songwriter from Brunswick, ME with a voice that’s been described as “Honey over vinegar”, Newport News, Norfolk ,VA. After attending a few years of college at MECA, in Portland, ME, Karen began teaching herself how to play the guitar and moved to Virginia Beach, VA. in ’97 to pursue a career in music.

Her debut album, Fallen Angel was recorded in Virginia Beach 2002, and shortly after its release, she opened up for the legendary local pop band, The States, at the historic NORVA in downtown Norfolk, VA. Karen has since released a pop/rock single, Light Tomorrow with Today, in August 2022. Her newest single, Shadows – a song she wrote for her birth mother whom she has never met, was just released in February of 2023 on Bandcamp. Karen is currently recording her second record of 11 songs, tentatively titled, Wildflower at Owl Cave Audio in Bath, ME. Musically the record reflects Karen’s roots while embracing experimentation and other sonic possibilities. At the heart of Wildflower, there is a strong love for family and tradition.

Maine-based songwriter and rising contemporary folk artist, Tim Winchester was first introduced to the guitar at a young age by his father, a self-taught finger-style guitarist and avid music lover.

In 2016, after more than a decade of not picking up the guitar, a couple of friends convinced Tim to play a few original songs at a local open-mic night which would spark a renewed interest in performing and a deeper curiosity into songwriting and storytelling. Shortly thereafter, he timorously took his music from the living room to listening rooms and has curated a growing collection of heart-stirring songs ever since. An auditory palette of soothing and sorrowful colors, Tim’s music has been described as “atmospheric” and “an ethereal landscape of storytelling”.

He has released 2 full-length studio albums, Into The Open (2021) and Northern Lights (2022)

Ben Wood is a singer-songwriter who has called Maine home for most of the past 20 years. He was first introduced to music at a young age by an older brother and uncle who collected tapes and vinyl. Inspired and heavily influenced by the likes of Dylan, Neil Young, Motown, and soul music, Ben first picked up guitar playing and singing as a teenager. Over the past 25 years, he has played in a number of bands and gradually developed a style that is an eclectic mix of genres and influences ranging from jazz to Americana to neo-soul and R&B.

After several long hiatuses from songwriting, Ben has been more focused over the past few years. He recently recorded a collection of original songs at Acadia Studio in Portland which will be released on all online music platforms in the coming weeks.