Bar Harbor starts to buzz in May. It turns into a roar in June and then into all-out cacophony that lasts until Labor Day or until the last drop of ice cream is scraped from the bottom of the barrel, whichever comes first. For another six weeks or so, it’s back to the buzz as the leaves change color. And then, all of a sudden, it’s dead. D-E-A-D. The circus leaves town. The party’s over. The tumbleweeds careen down Main Street. See ya next year.

But wait! What’s that sound coming from behind Tapley’s Gas Station? Sounds kinda funky. Sounds kinda bluesy. Sounds like something might be happening over there.

And sure enough, it is. Since opening last May, the Bar Harbor Blues Authority on Pleasant Street has steadily garnered a following. In the past two months alone, every weekend the tiny bar has been packed to the gills with hard-core blues fans and locals eager for a midwinter warm-up and some good, homegrown live music. Which, according to owner Tom Burton (and basically any MDI resident), is a total anomaly for the season.

“It’s taken me by surprise as much as it has customers,” said Burton, who ran a Bar Harbor bar in the 1980s called the Hat Rack. “I don’t know what to attribute the success to, really. People have been traveling from away to come hear music. It’s unprecedented.”

Burton, a huge blues fan in his own right, opened the Blues Authority after scrapping initial plans to turn his Main Street property into condos. That apparently was the right idea as his new venture has taken off in a big way.

Some of the local bands that have taken the mike at the Blues Authority include power trio the Shambles, who often feature harmonica player Mark Paglizzi, a local teacher and a whiz on the harp.

“He’s one of the more incredibly talented harmonica players I’ve ever heard,” said Burton. “He’s phenomenal.”

Bucksport’s blues bad boys the Bad Daddys have also played, along with Banned From Eden, a rootsier ensemble from Mount Desert Island. Solo acts like Blind Albert and Todd McLeod play for less raucous nights. Green & Bosse, the electric blues composed of local rock star Eric Green and percussion powerhouse Paul Bosse, have shown up along with Ellsworth’s premier bar band, the Climactics, for more wild ‘n’ crazy evenings.

“We try to keep it as bluesy as possible, but we don’t always have to do that,” said Burton. “People just want to hear music. But I think the blues in particular attracts a real wide audience, people of all age groups. You come on any given night, and you’ll see that in the crowd.”

Burton has booked bands for Fridays and Saturdays through the end of February and has already started thinking about expanding his capacity.

“Obviously I want to make sure that I’m walking real well before I try to run, but given the past few weekends – in the middle of January – I don’t think it’s a fluke,” he said. “By the time this town starts filling with people in May, I’m gonna need more room. It’s real exciting.”

The Bar Harbor Blues Authority is located on Pleasant Street, just off Main Street behind Tapley’s Gas Station. Scheduled for the next few weeks are the Shambles 7:30 p.m., Jan. 25; Banned From Eden 9 p.m. Jan. 26; Al “The Real” Deal and Sarah Diana 8 p.m. Feb. 1; Green & Bosse 8 p.m. Feb. 2; the Climactics 8 p.m. Feb. 8; the Bad Daddys 8 p.m. Feb. 9; Todd McLeod 8 p.m. Feb. 15; Al “The Real” Deal and Sarah Diana 8 p.m. Feb. 16; Blind Albert 7 p.m. Feb. 22; Banned From Eden 9 p.m. Feb. 22; Todd McLeod 8 p.m. Feb. 29. Get there early, as the place fills up fast. For more info, call 288-3241.

eburnham@bangordailynews.net

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