Blues singer to perform at concert for Wildlands

ORLAND – Shawn Mercer and the Boondock Blues Band join Tree By Leaf, Eric Horschak and Juliane Gardner for a concert to benefit Orland’s 4,200-acre Great Pond Mountain Wildlands at 7 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the Grand Auditorium in Ellsworth.

Near to home – a short drive from Bucksport, Ellsworth, Belfast and Bangor – the Wildlands were destined to become yet another housing development until Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust stepped in and bought the land in 2005.

The spectacular property, just off Route 1 in Orland, is big enough for people and wildlife to roam, with miles of trails through forested valleys, breathtaking views from mountain summits, a three-mile trout stream and two miles of shorefront on two lakes. All this is open to the public now and for generations to come.

The concert will help raise funds for the Wildlands campaign, which is $250,000 away from its $2.86 million fundraising goal. The land trust is working to finish the campaign by June.

Shawn Mercer is an Orland native who believes in the Wildlands. From his house in the woods he spins out a blend of blues, folk, and old-time country. His album, “Boondock Blues” touches on the aspects of home and family through a welcome variety of sounds.

Belfast area’s Tree by Leaf is the unique synergy and musicianship of Garrett Soucy Siiri Soucy and Cliff Young. Their original acoustic music is grounded in folk, rock, and strains of classical music. Their new CD is “There Is a Vine.”

Castine native Juliane Gardner completes the lineup. Recognized as one of the best of a new generation of Maine singer-songwriters, Gardner’s songs glow with a soulful yet savvy small-town sensibility.

Admission to the concert is $15. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Grand box office, 667-9500, or at www.grandonline.org.

In Bucksport, get advance tickets at BookStacks on Main Street, credit card payments accepted, (888) 295-0123 or 469-8992.