Perched in my high-rise hotel room, here in the icy bosom of Montreal, I’m caught between the soft contemplation at year’s end, and anticipation for 2026 – ripe with the promise of Maine music; a fresh bounty, a cornucopia – overflowing with creative community… 

Grey winter wind chants in the night, beating against the windows, throwing clouds across the sky… Far below, vehicles amble in the streets – a symphony of shuttering engines and stabbing horns… The December cold is deep, and the city – white with fresh snow; a silhouette, draped in hushed bronze and urban light… 

Now, this will be old news by the time the press stops rolling and the ink dries across the thin white pages of this article – 

But there’s been a fire in Portland… 

On the evening of December 26th, flames raged, crawling over Custom House Wharf in the Old Port. Sparked by an innocent unknown, a saffron blaze consumed the wharf, licking the salt-stained pier… The historic waterfront burned – razed to ash and confusion. 

Luckily, no one was harmed, and the incredible first responders, fearless fisherman, business owners, and affected employees helped to quell the flames and restore a sense of order… 

Five hours north, my heart jumped, thinking of friends, family – people and places that I love…  

Harbor Fish Market, The Porthole, Sea Bags –  

Local bedrock, where the flamboyance of Maine is on display: 

Pungent fish, smoked delicacies; the sun-dried skin of maritime workers, bent over a steaming cup of coffee and fine food; woven artistry, functional and fair; where drinks flow, and the warmth of friendship drives out the cold; where our traditions are preserved and shared with a wanting world…

So much history burnt to a crisp – ashen remnants, blown across the frosty waters of Casco Bay… Scattered, gone… 

The working fishermen and women of the wharf wasted no time connecting with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association, looking to the non-profit organization for support, networking, and outreach. A flood of compassion poured in over social media, with Mainers eager to help get the CHW community back on its feet. 

Through the branching vines of social media, Maine musicians jumped in to offer their support – spearheaded, of course, by one of our crown jewels and artistic icons: 

a Mainer’s Mainer, UMA Graduate, virtuoso, crooner-laureate, kind soul, and musical beacon: 

Don Campbell. 

“I’ll donate my band, my sound systems, our time, and any efforts at no cost to anyone, to help those Custom House Wharf fishermen and women, to reacquire their pier businesses, anyone who lost their assets and or working space, in a fundraising effort. I’ll welcome any and all others, who’ll like to join in.” 

Vowed Don, posting to his Facebook page just before 10 pm on December 26th, as flames still leaped across the pier… 

 A fearless musician, bandleader, friend, and cornerstone of our Maine mission… Don was vocal (as only he can be). 

For the uninitiated, “Don Campbell frequently performs solo concerts in small listening rooms, as well as feature appearances at galas, benefits, and civic events – performing a mix of original and classic audience-favorite songs. Don is a resident performer at several restaurants & bars around southern Maine, when not touring up and down the East Coast.” 

With a huge following (over 5k friends), Don’s charitable pledge gained rapid attention, resulting in a grassroots call for support, solidarity, and concrete fundraising.  

Toby McAllister (Sparks The Rescue, Toby McAllister & The Sierra Sounds), Andi Fawcett, Eric Mauriello (Purple Entendre, The Rob Fowler Band), Bill Umbel, owner of Lenny’s Pub – and nearly three hundred more, answered the call – ready to sing, perform, play, and support, by any means necessary…  

Comments whirled, ideas bubbled… Mark Curdo, the general manager of AURA – was tagged, with many well-wishers looking to set up a formal benefit concert.

Custom House Wharf has long been a stomping ground for Maine talent:  

Artists like Don Campbell, Toby McAllister, Xander Nelson, Andi Fawcett, 12/OC, and so many more have cut their teeth and blistered fingers at The Porthole – packing the timber room until the seams burst – bodies spilling out onto the wharf, music clinging to the salty air… From inside to the sprawling patio, CHW has been a home and a haven for countless Maine musicians and fans alike. 

Ready, resilient – The Porthole has become the de facto headquarters of the ‘wharf rat’ community, as first responders, waterfront workers, business owners, employees – and now city leaders – come together to face an uncertain future… 

While nothing has been set in stone, it’ll be a joy to see how our community unites over the coming months, and I look forward – with a full heart – to seeing (and hearing) how the anthems of Maine music rise to this occasion. 

The people of Maine will rise, as we always have. 

With the remnants of 2025 left to smolder, the new year will be a time of rising up and rising together – shining brighter than the flames that broke us down… 

160 years after the phrase first ‘caught fire,’ the people of Portland find themselves embracing one of Maine’s succinct mottos: Resurgam – “I shall rise again.” 

Here’s to 2026: 

To Rebirth, renewal – to health and happiness for all. 

What a time to cherish our community – to get out, support, write, listen, watch, dance, love, and laugh alongside the beautiful people of Maine.

Happy New Year, 

Thomas