Chicky Stoltz is a friend and neighbor, a talented musician and multi-instrumentalist, and my first drum teacher. He grew up in Camden, ME and moved with his young family to the Mad River Valley about 15 years ago. In addition to playing with numerous bands and ensembles in Vermont, he remains active with his Maine bandmates, getting together a few times each year, including an annual residence on a sailing cruise that kicks off with an evening show (on shore) the night before departure. Chicky Stoltz & the Charlie Nobles were scheduled to play at Ada’s Kitchen in Rockland, about 20 minutes from our friends Dick and Susan’s home, and the timing was good. Color us there!
The show of mostly Chicky Stoltz originals was awesome! The band features a crew of accomplished musicians. Chicky provided vocals, rhythm guitar and drums, Maestro Tom Whitehead on lead guitar and vocals, Maritime Jed Kreigel was on bass guitar, and Captain Noah Barnes added percussion, harmonica and vocals. Playing together for as many years as they go back made for tight playing and beautiful harmonies.
They were celebrating the release of Friendship Heights – the first single from their soon-to-be-released album, Camp Songs #4 Fantastic. A bonus for us were the Fantastic pasta dinners we enjoyed at Ada’s!
The show at Ada’s was only the start for the band. We met up with them on the dock the next morning as they were loading to head out on the Schooner Stephen Taber for a 5-day excursion off the central coast of Maine. The Stephen Taber is a beautiful, wooden vessel built by craftsmen in 1871! The ship is thought to have been in continuous service longer than any other ship of its kind. It’s been designated a National Historic Landmark! Guests are treated to ‘an elevated dining experience,’ and the four musicians rearrange themselves into the Charlie Nobles Band, entertaining the guests each evening after dinner.
After a quick pre-departure tour of the Stephen Taber, we bid the band, the crew, and their guests a bon voyage and headed to the ferry for our next adventure.
*Why the Charlie Nobles? For inquiring minds…
For anyone interested, more pix…
Addendum: We didn’t really pay attention to some folks with cameras when we had our tour of the Stephen Taber. Turns out, they were from NBC News. Check this out!
Nbc news just did a bit on the stephen tabor with a quick flash on the on board entertainment. Cheers M&P
Hi Milo! Thanks for the heads up. Fun to see the Stephen Taber on NBC! Yup, the Charlie Nobles on board…