This is my debut article, so a proper introduction is due.

My name is Thomas – writer, musician, and shameless blond. New England-born, my family moved to Maine when I was four years old, settling in Falmouth. 

It’s the only childhood I’ve known, but I can say the last twenty years have been a fairytale.  

Raised in a postcard, I knew calm seas and sandy toes; high tides and fewer lows. My skyline was blue, dotted with the gentle industry of Casco Bay. 

Adolescence drew me to Portland, and I was soon pulled across the bridge. Music lessons rolled into fine food, premier concerts, and all the trappings of small-town excellence. 

Along came high school, and Portland matured into late nights, date nights, great shows, and spectacular meals. 

I was changing, Portland was changing… but my love for this city was unshakable. 

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I wrote my first Maine music column in high school, lending my pen to the school newspaper. The passion stuck, so here I am a decade later – one of a few voices covering the local scene. 

Writing for Up Portland is a chance to share my love for Maine and my relationship with music. 

I’ve settled on the name ‘Sidenotes,’ hoping my words can compliment coffee and a daydream.

This column will examine Maine music, unearthing the past while promoting the present. 

‘Sidenotes’ will tag upcoming events; cover new releases; and even get lost down some rabbit holes, helping readers appreciate our priceless musical heritage.

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Perched at the crossroads of Route 302, Hawkes Plaza is no more than a spit of buildings tucked in the woods. Glowing white, the tallest structure often dresses in fine, silver mist. Guarded by a towering aluminum repair man and an old cop car, the strange property attracts passing drivers like moths to a flame.

Welcome to Lenny’s Pub. 

Opened in 2016, Lenny’s has become one of Maine’s superlative entertainment venues. 

Thirty minutes from the teenage dreams of Wharf Street, it’s easy to see why this restaurant is such a fan favorite!

Built on “Food. Music. Friends.” – owner Bill Umbel understands how the past inspires the present.

The site has been a cornerstone of community and creativity since the ‘60’s. Guitarist and producer Al Hawkes – the neighborhood namesake – ran a small recording studio out of his garage; flying under the banner ‘Event Records,’ Hawkes captured a slew of country and Americana artists roaming New England in the middle of the last century.

It was by chance that Hawkes discovered Lenny Breau (b. 1941 – d. 1984), musical savant and patron saint of Lenny’s Pub. Only fourteen, the young guitarist laid tape at Event Records with his family’s band. Breau’s precocious playing stunned Hawkes, and the veteran owner took him on as a session regular.

Destined for a life of music, Breau was born in Auburn – son of country star ‘Hal Lone Pine’ and his wife, singer Betty Cody. His troubadour parents toured radio stations, serenading listeners across New England. In the late 1950s, the family migrated to Winnipeg, Canada – where Breau would spend much of his life.

Raised on rockabilly, the soaring harmonies of jazz called to him; Breau’s curious mind and keen ear sought to revolutionize the fretboard, playing in ways that expanded the scope of modern guitar. 

Lenny flew under the radar… his idyllic touch etched — not carved — into history. 

Bold artistry, commercial suicide… his yearning remained hidden from the daylight.

Beyond a short-lived television show, The Lenny Breau Show, and a few flop records for the infamous RCA label – Breau’s brilliance stayed under wraps, his name only whispered in quiet reverence… 

The peak of his fame came when recording with American country pioneer, Chet Atkins. A formidable guitarist in his own right, Atkins idolized Breau’s technical prowess. From Atkins, George Benson, to Pat Metheny and beyond – the enigmatic Breau inspired many of the 20th century’s best. 

But Lenny’s bright flame burned against his darkness; haunted by addiction and woe, he never found the limelight before his premature death in 1984.

Still, his song lingered, gracing Maine history and watering seeds throughout the musical world. Documentaries, posthumous awards, and the love of devoted fans have carried Lenny’s tune for over forty years! 

Guided by earnest vision and his deep veneration for Breau — Bill Umbel guides the ship! 

Keeping Lenny’s spirit alive, the destination remains a bastion of Maine music.

Step into the parlor, where the sound of music echoes from the floorboards. Couples dance amongst the tables, joy in every step. Stage not necessary, performers tuck themselves away, looking back to a beaming audience.

Carved into an old barn, the outdoor stage surveys an open lawn. 

Crickets sing on summer nights, calling to the sun as it melts in the sky. 

Lenny Breau is ubiquitous, his smile adorning the walls (inside and out).

From youth to later years, the restaurant celebrates his life, arpeggiating the brief but beautiful time this genius graced the world.