Hot Gig Alert (10/10): Pat Pepin celebrates CD release in Gardiner, ME (Interview)
Veteran multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Pat Pepin is preparing for a big CD Release show this month, set for Friday, October 10, at historic Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardiner. The new recording, titled ‘What More Can I Do,’ is her fourth overall and first since 2010.
Pepin’s release show will feature a unique program unlike most album release celebrations.
“I’m very excited to have folks come out to the show and get their hands on my new album,” Pepin explained. “The recording features 14 tracks, and 12 are all-new originals. One song is an Etta James original, I’ve done one song of hers on each of my CDs because I love her and love singing her songs.
“There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this new album. It’s the first recording I’ve made since I got sober, which changed my life more than I can say. I decided to change my life 13 years ago, and boy, has my life ever changed. I look, act and feel better. I’m loving my life these days, so I’m blessed.”
As for the big show on Oct. 10, Pepin says she’s anxious for fans to hear the new music and have fun.
“It’s almost like a retrospective,” she said. “It’s called Past, Present and Future. Doors will open at 6:30, and we’ll start at 7 p.m. with a film showing my performance at Johnson Hall back in 2005. Next at 7:30, we’ll showcase the new CD with The Boneheads. They played a huge role in this recording.
“After that Live set, we’ll take an intermission, then switch out the bands. My future is where I’d like to go, to expand my musical career. So I have Sean Finn coming to play bass; and David Currier, out of Harpswell, playing the drums. On the guitar, I have a native of Japan who went to Berklee. He’s good.”
With a career that spans over 40 years, Pepin has worked as a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, teacher and songwriter. She has competed in the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis three times, and her 2010 release “In It For The Long Haul,” was a Top-4 finalist for Best Self-Produced CD.
While there are several popular sub-genres within Blues itself, Pepin has truly created one for herself.
“I think the original tunes we write in this part of the country should be called Yankee Blues,” she said. “You have your Delta Blues, Chicago Blues, Texas Blues, etc., but what we have up here in New England is unique. We all write with a distinctive, honest style, and we use a touch of Maine humor.
“It’s not as in-your-face as some, but we sing about the weather, the people, and things that are going on around here. So I’m proud to tell people when they ask that I play Yankee Blues. I love this music.”
Pepin had a busy 2025 summer season, playing several gigs and Blues festivals around the northeast.
“I was lucky enough to get out and play for some really great fans this year,” she added. “One of the highlights was at the White Mountain Boogie & Blues Festival, in Thornton, New Hampshire. Brad and Mike Benton do a great job there, with a positive Vibe and a beautiful natural amphitheater.
“I also did smaller shows like the Summer Concert Series in Belgrade, Turner and Hallowell; I played with The Boneheads a number of times, and a whole lot more. I still love making that connection with the audience; it’s why I’m still doing this after all these years. I play music to connect with people.”
Pepin has indeed been at this game for many years. It’s a fascinating story of hard work and dedication.
“My first gig was in the mid 1970s at the AMVETS facility in Jay, Maine,” she recalled. “In 1975, I was the bass player in a high school band. It was with Kevin Libby, Dan Camire and Jimmy Brown, and we called ourselves the Dead River Band. We saw the name on a nearby propane tank.
“So I made $25 dollars at our first gig 50 years ago, which is tough to believe today. I taught myself to play the guitar when I was 16 years old. I played the Flute in school, it was rough at first. I’m surprised I kept at it, because I didn’t get a lot of support at home. Today, I’m happy with how it all worked out.”
These days, her life is a balancing act, juggling a busy life with her husband with her rejuvenated musical career. It’s a challenge, but one she is more than capable of handling.
“My husband and I are planning on doing a little traveling this winter,” Pepin added. “But once I get back, I plan to get out there and play as many gigs as possible in support of the new album. The hard part is long trips on the roads, but I can’t wait to get out and play these new songs for people.
“I’m just excited overall about having some new music to share, and I’m in a good place in life. That always translates to a great experience for any audience, you sound better when you’re feeling well. So I’m hoping to be busy in 2026, and to meet some new folks who love hearing our Yankee Blues.”
Pat Pepin plays the Johnson Hall Opera House (280 Water Street Gardiner, ME 04345) Doors for the show open at 6:30, with music beginning at 7:30. Tickets start at $27.24 and are available – HERE.
