Hot Gig Alert (10.11): Blues Guitarist Mike Van Summern in Maine (Interview in Post)
Veteran guitarist, singer and songwriter Mike Van Summern recently wrapped up a career-best season of entertaining music fans across Maine. The popular and likable musician who grew up in Gardiner yet has a southern stint on his resume has been in high demand these days.
Van Summern, 40, played a ton of gigs this year with Matt and The Barnburners, a Fayette-based band led by high-energy harmonica player Matt Bilodeau. Van Summern also does several solo gigs, and did quite well on that front this year. He’s on a steady roll, and shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.
“This was definitely the best summer I’ve had for gigs here in Maine,” he said. “Matt is a hustler, so I can always count on being active with his band. I’ve also been pretty steady with solo shows, so I’ve been blessed overall this year. I’ve connected with many old friends, and met some new fans, as well.
“This year’s success is notable since I’ve only been back in Maine for about two years. I moved down to Austin, Texas, in 2014, and stayed there almost 10 years. I even got to play at the famed Antone’s.
It’s nice to be getting more and more work here now. I feel like the hard work I did is paying off.”
With 25 years of experience on the guitar, Van Summern has been active in music from a young age.
“My first instrument was actually the piano,” he explained. “I started playing when I was eight or 10 years old. I took lessons on the piano, but once I got into Middle School I switched to the guitar since it was more relatable to the music I was listening to at the time. I was hooked, and it led to opportunities.
“I’d say my first paying gig was when I started playing bass with Mike Hayward and Tommy O’Connell and their Red Light Revue band. I was right out of college; so I was probably 23 or 24 years old. I was with them for a year or two. I took a break after that, but started playing a lot once I moved to Texas.”
For decades, musicians from across the country have headed for Austin with dreams and a guitar.
“I remember I moved down there on July Fourth weekend,” Van Summern recalled. “It was like a three or four-day drive. I only knew one person who lived there. It was pretty crazy, but it was cool at the same time. It was a really good experience for me, and broadened my musical horizons a great deal.
“I mean, I went to school for music a bit; but in terms of Live performances, playing in Austin was a completely separate and invaluable education. To be playing all the time, seeing other people play, just to be totally immersed in that culture was both fun and a huge learning opportunity for me.”
As you listen, you’ll hear the influences of a few Blues legends in Van Summern’s silky-smooth style.
“There are a number of artists who caught my attention over the years,” he said. “I’d say the first and foremost of which was B.B. King, one of the first true Blues guitarists I heard. I was fortunate enough to see him play a couple of times, and that show really stuck with me. His sense of timing was key.
“Now, I still listen to B.B., but guys like Chuck Berry are also a big influence on me, along with John Hammond Jr., and Robert Cray, who is a great songwriter along with a top-notch guitarist. Those guys all played a role in how I try to shape my own unique sound.”
With a hands-on, insider’s perspective, Van Summern says Maine Blues is currently in a good place.
“I experienced the Blues scene here in Maine both pre-COVID and post-pandemic,” he said. “I think before COVID, the festivals were all a little bigger. Today, I feel we’re still in a really good place, but we’ve just had to adapt to a new normal. I’d like to see more younger people out enjoying the music.
“Crowds aren’t quite as big, but there are still plenty of smaller gatherings around the state that did very well this year. So there’s a lot of Live Blues out there, yet on a somewhat smaller scale. A healthy Jam scene is key in keeping it thriving. My friend Noah Watts has done a great job at keeping those alive.”
As the 2025 Live music scene transitions from several well-attended outdoor gigs to all-indoor here in northern New England, Van Summern is already looking ahead to 2026 with a ton of enthusiasm.
“My big goal for next year is to get a solid recording finished up and out there,” he concluded. “I have a lot of songs, I just haven’t recorded them yet. So I need to try and get into the Studio soon and at least get a Single or two out. That’s definitely the next big step for me. I’m excited about that opportunity.”
You can catch Mike performing his Solo Acoustic act at Bateau Brewing in Gardiner on Oct. 11 (4-6 p.m.) and again on Oct. 30 (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.), and at Andy’s Old Port Pub in Portland on Oct. 23.
You can also see Mike playing lead guitar with on Oct. 3 at the VFW in Jay (7-10 p.m.); and at Sugar Leaf in New Portland on Oct. 4 (3-6 p.m.).
Featured image by: Rick Moore
