Live Music at TunkJoy

Bea Alsop-Cheney plays guitar and drums and dabbles in piano. She loves being outdoors, drawing, and making music when she’s not busy surviving her freshman year of high school.

Laura Bagley

Hugh Bowden taught himself to play the guitar after becoming captivated by the music of legendary guitarist Chet Atkins. Bowden, who now lives in Ellsworth, has performed widely throughout Maine and beyond for several decades, both as a solo fingerstyle guitarist and singer and as a member of several small musical groups, in various styles of music. In performance, Bowden draws from a musical library that includes American standards, folk and country songs and more than 100 of his own compositions. “I play music primarily for the joy and comfort it always brings to me,” he says. “And I feel doubly blessed in those occasional moments when my music can evoke those same feelings of joy and comfort in the hearts of others.”

Singer-songwriter Ry Cavanaugh brings thoughtful songwriting, rich vocals, and a warm acoustic style shaped by years of performing with the acclaimed New England roots band Session Americana. His music blends folk, Americana, and country influences with stories that are both heartfelt and deeply human. In recent years, Ry has also shared songs written by his late father on his solo album Time For This, a project celebrating family, community, and the power of music to connect people.

Scott Cleveland is a composer/singer/pianist/music educator/church musician/writer. He holds a B.M. in Music Education from Berklee College of Music, an M.M. in Music Theory/Composition from UMassLowell and a M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology. He has produced six independent solo albums: scottcleveland.bandcamp.com, and performs original and reinterpreted Jazz/ R&B/ Blues/ Fusion/Rock as a solo pianist and singer and in numerous ensembles, including The University of Maine Jazz Faculty ensemble.For the past six years he taught on the Jazz Faculty at the University of Maine, teaching Elementary Harmony I and II, Jazz Theory Fundamentals, Jazz improvisation privately and coaching Jazz combos. He teaches songwriting and the improv clinic “Composing in Fast Motion” at Bagaduce MusicSubscribe to Scott’s blog “A Spacious Place: music/poetry/theology” and his podcast “Theory Geeks” on scottcleveland.substack.com.

Joachim Cooder is an American percussionist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his innovative blend of world music, Americana, and folk traditions. Born in Santa Monica, California, he grew up immersed in a deeply creative household, picking up drums at age five and going on to tour and record alongside his father, guitarist and producer Ry Cooder. Those early years placed Joachim on stages and in studios with Johnny Cash, Ali Farka Touré, V.M. Bhatt, Steve Earle, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John, Nick Lowe, and — most notably — the Buena Vista Social Club. Over the years, he has maintained a close working relationship with his father while building a reputation as a lyrical drummer and an adventurous solo voice. The spark for his own songwriting came when his wife and long-time collaborator Juliette Commagere became pregnant. Wintering in Nashville, Cooder found himself rising each morning to play his electric mbira through a small amp and singing into the quiet. Those sessions became Fuchsia Machu Picchu — songs about longing, love, plants, and the inner lives of inanimate objects. On his Nonesuch debut, Cooder draws on the plain-spoken songs of country-music progenitor Uncle Dave Macon as a jumping-off point for an album that feels less like scholarly excavation than compellingly soulful reverie. Family anchors the project — Cooder enlisted relatives to join him as he explored tunes his father had once played for him, songs he now sings to his own young children. Banjo melodies are reworked for his electric mbira, a variation on the African thumb piano, and the novel arrangements owe as much to ambient and world music as to country. It is an unexpected — and utterly original — act of reimagination. "When I started the project, I didn't know much of the derivation of Uncle Dave's songs. But I realized he was a collector of the music and songs he heard around him — repurposing and reinterpreting them for a new audience. And that was what I was doing with these songs without realizing it. We were doing a similar thing in a way." Website Instagram Apple Music Facebook YouTube

Gary Bushee is a multifaceted musician, artist, storyteller and student of human ecology, currently exploring the realms of experimental theatre. He gratefully resides on his wooded Sullivan, Maine homestead where he is working on creating a diversified holistic music studio encompassing education, therapy and phenomenology of sound and movement in the field of play.YouTube Gary Bushee — Be Like a BirdGary Bushee —Grace

Lizzie Cunningham is a local musician based in Cherryfield. She is a vocalist, ukulele player, and whistler who has been performing for 15 years all over New England. You can see her performing solo, with various friends, or with her band Mulled Cider (a jazz trio featuring Brian Dyer Stewart and Tony Kertis) at different venues across Downeast Maine. You can also see her at the Cherryfield Open Mic!

Travis Cyr is a creative force uniquely his own. His music is a rootsy mix of spacey folk and Americana balladry. Warmly gentle, vastly strong and intensely vivid. Flowing between delicately precise and aggressively percussive acoustic guitar work, washed in splashes of cosmic space and ancient delay and laced with honest and poetic lyrics. The resulting mix is highly original and can effortlessly take the listener on a sonic and emotional journey. He has played over 2,000 shows and released 15 albums of all original songs. He is the founder of the Arootsakoostik music festival, a visual artist and is currently editing a book of short stories. Website

Pete Davis is a local musician and songwriter.

Maren Doughty, originally from Northern Michigan, is a Boston based folk inspired singer songwriter. Influenced by luminaries such as Adrienne Lenker, Adam Melchor, and Gregory Alan Isakov, her music delves into themes of evolving identity, navigating heartache, and forging genuine connections with her audience. Through her heartfelt lyrics and melodies, Maren crafts an intimate musical experience that speaks to the universal human experience of growth, love, and vulnerability. Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Music

Brian Dyer Stewart

Nina Emery is an 18-year-old jazz vocalist from Bucksport, Maine at the start of a professional career. Nina earned top honors across Maine's jazz scene, including the highest All-State score in 2024 and 2025, multiple gold medals at the Maine State Jazz Festival, and three consecutive top 5 musician awards. Since 2023, Nina has performed over 50 gigs across Maine, including features at iconic Boston venues such as The Lilypad and The Mad Monkfish. Now in her first year at Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition scholarship, she has continued her passion through four years of independent jazz study and consistent live performance.

Tom Fowler considers himself one lucky guy to be living in Belfast with Annadeene, Eliot, Leila, and Selkie, playing in The Hot Suppers, and joining in the feast of music, food, and community exuberance at Tunk Joy!

Molly Gawler is a dancer, musician and mom. She founded her own company in 2012 called Droplet Dance, a collection of solo dance works with elements of acrobatics and story told by movement created with live music from the folk traditions of Maine. As a youngster, Molly studied ballet with Andrei Bossov in Pittsfield, Maine and furthered her dance training in college with contemporary and modern at SUNY Purchase in NY. She danced with various choreographers in New York City such as Corbin Dances and Nøa Dance. After that, she toured the world with Pilobolus Dance Theater and starred in the lead role of the ‘dog-girl’ in the show Shadowland. While a part of Pilobolus she appeared on Oprah, the Golden Globes, the Royal Variety Show and the Academy Awards. Her life led her to study circus at New England Center for Circus Arts in Brattleboro, VT where she learned Cyr Wheel, Aerial Arts and acrobatics. Molly came full circle, back home to Maine where she performs, plays fiddle, sings and teaches movement of all types. One of her greatest joys is being a mother to four year old, Caspian, and baby Mica.

Michael Hayden

Phil Kell lives in Bernard where he teaches guitar and bass lessons. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Maine. Phil has played in the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and in pit orchestras for many local theater companies. He has also played in more country, rock, blues, and jazz groups than he can remember.

Willy Kelly has toured the East Coast from Maine to Florida. He's shared shows with music greats including Leo Kottke, Taj Mahal, Bill Monroe, and David Bromberg. He toured with Jud Strunk, played Jud's PBS TV Special, and Dick Stacy’s Jamboree! His songs shine a light on love, loss, and people in the world we share.His heart is bigger than his head!WebsiteBandcamp

An international-touring musician, Bennett Konesni focuses on northern fiddle and dance music as well as worksongs for field and forest, which he uses regularly on his farm and teaches at workshops.WebsitePatreon

Gus LaCasse is a classically trained violinist and inspired fiddler with a passion for Acadian and Cape Breton.

George Loring, is an Artist, Actor, & Musician of The Penobscot Nation, pаnawáhpskewi àhči pəpónihlehso.George is a dynamic vocalist who enjoys singing songs that tell a story. Loring especially relishes in introducing new music to listeners whether it be from the occasional original piece or from obscure cover songs ranging from an eclectic collection of genres falling anywhere between Folk, Singer/Songwriter to Blues & Soul to Outlaw Country and many more.

Amy Love is a heart-stopping singer-songwriter. With honest lyrics and a mesmerizing voice, she carries audiences to their most nostalgic memories. Passionate about community organizing, Love frequently teaches singing classes, songwriting workshops, and has even founded an artist-in-residency program. Her latest album, “Coming Home,” is available on most major streaming platforms.WebsiteInstagram