Photo courtesy of Whittling Fog Photography
A Texas-style Bar-B-Que joint up in the far reaches of Maine. That was the ambition that John Ramirez had a few years back. I had no chance to research this other than that statement but I do know in the conversations I had with John that he’s a man-of-means with his love for Harley-Davidsons and Texas-style Bar-B-Que. Winterport, Maine is a little bit of a drive up into the wild country of our most north-eastern state in the lower 48. It gets brutal up here in the winter time and you have to watch for the occasional moose stepping out in the roadways. It’s green right now, very green. This small hamlet rests on the west side of the Penobscot River which eventually flows south and becomes an estuary to the bay of the same name and into the Atlantic. Really quiet here, sans Harley rumbles, we are staying in the B n’ B just a stone’s throw from the venue. 4 Points Bar-B-Que is the name of the venue and they’ve constructed an outdoor stage in which a summer series of shows plays through this season starting on the backend of spring and going sometimes into the late summer, weather permitting of course. We’re the first band up in the 2015 season with a whole roster filled with the up and coming bands to bright luminaries from the music scene. John wasn’t there today, he is off attending business down in Texas and has left the operations in the capable deft hands of his shop manager and good friend. Everything is running smooth at the club and the food is more than an eye-opener this far north in what is usually thought of as ‘Lobster Country’. We’re situated right on the main strip of this peaceful town and we’re about to roar into action with our show before the sun begins its last vertical declension behind the horizon. We eat our meals given to us and lick our fingers to clean off the sweet savory sauces provided on the tables. A short walk back to the B n’ B to change and warm-up a bit and it’s back to the venue to rock out. The crowd is a good little size and comfortably fills up the area we’re in. Winterport is not too far out of Bangor, Maine so there still is a sizeable population that is accessible for business and participation in 4 Points offerings of food and music. Less than a conversation away to the south but since we don’t get up in this area much it’s not uncommon to see folks from more than a few hundred miles away attending shows here.
Photo courtesy of Whittling Fog Photography
Photo courtesy of Whittling Fog Photography
When we open up the show you can see some of the younger locals up on the hill to our left listening in and rocking and swaying to the beat. As the sun sets further they become silhouettes against the backdrop and then they fade into the dark to be only seen by drawing a breath from their cigarettes or from lighting a new one. Once in a while a face is illuminated by a gaze into a smart phone. The crowd inside the area before us is excited and vocal in their approval of what they’ve come to see and hear. We don’t hold back. Another day in the office for CDG. I always like coming back up here and I’m glad 4 Points is still alive and kicking. A great testament to the food, entertainment and efficiency they’re running and providing to the locals and travelers. I hope it’s here for a long time to come. Something about being up here in Maine is always an attraction to me. I am thankful we’re not here in the dead of winter, but it’s pretty up here during that time too. A reverent stillness descends out here in those winter months where it’s only the wind that makes the sounds. I remember those times so vividly, and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see an Aurora Borealis at night in all its moving and shimmering beauty. Maybe hear a haunting Loon call in the distance. On my run the next morning I pause many times to reflect on this and other things and pray that my life is long to experience all the glory that quiet ruminations can bestow to calm the tempest of the storm.
