Jonathan’s Ogunquit summer 2022: ‘American Idol’ champ, Paula Poundstone and more

OGUNQUIT, Maine — Jonathan’s Ogunquit is looking forward to its 2022 season with some new faces on the list of concerts this year, including one “American Idol” champion.

“We’re gearing up to have one of our busiest years yet,” said Caitlan Etchevers who does marketing for Jonathan’s. She said the venue, also a restaurant, is bouncing back in 2022 from a challenging two years hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lineup this year includes a 2018 “American Idol” champion Maddie Poppe, who will be at Jonathan’s June 12, as well as Bill Gillman, a runner-up on “The Voice” in 2016, on July 7. Will Evans, formerly of the band Barefoot Truth, will be another new show this summer, coming Aug. 4. Evans has played on stage with acts like Rusted Root, Crosby and Nash and Grace Potter.

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Also new are the Shadow Riders, who play the music of the original Marshall Tucker Band, coming to Jonathan’s Aug. 5, and the Tom Petty tribute band Runnin' Down a Dream, which will play July 8. Etchevers said artists that are no longer alive or touring still have fans that enjoy hearing their songs played live, giving rise to such tribute acts. Marshall Tucker Band is still active, but not the original lineup.

“Some of these artists that aren’t around anymore, their music still lives on,” Etchevers said. “There’s still a public for it. There are still music aficionados that want to come out and hear those classic songs.”

Comedian Bob Marley, a Maine native who has performed at Jonathan’s since about 2007 according to Etchevers, will be back June 19. Paula Poundstone will return for her annual summer performance at Jonathan’s July 15, having come to Ogunquit for several years.

“I’m starting to think maybe she just likes to come to Maine in July,” Etchevers said. “She likes to get her lobster fix, visit Perkins Cove, and enjoy Ogunquit for a couple days.”

Jonathan Edwards will return for his annual show on his birthday, July 28, which he celebrates at Jonathan’s every year. Edwards lives in Maine and got his start on the Boston music scene, and recorded hits like “Sunshine” and “Shanty.”

“He’s definitely been around, and his songs are on so many movie soundtracks now, I think even kids that are in their teens have heard some of his songs,” Etchevers said.

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Etchevers is the daughter of owner Jonathan West, who opened Jonathan’s in 1976. It was West’s childhood home, and he bought it and made it into a restaurant. In 1992, he expanded Jonathan’s 3,000 square feet and began hosting ticketed shows, starting with 10 that included Jonathan Edwards and Tom Rush. Since then, he has brought in numerous national acts ranging from the Temptations to Leon Russell, George Winston, the Indigo Girls and Arlo Guthrie.

“I always combined the culinary arts with visual and performing arts,” West said. “I always believed the three complemented each other, giving the optimal experience to anyone looking for a couple of hours to view the world differently or simply with a fresh perspective.”

Etchevers said the key to their success has been finding artists on their way up in the limelight, like Poppe and Gilman, as well as those stars that have finished their climb and are enjoying smaller, more intimate venues. Judy Collins, who has performed at Jonathan’s 19 times, will return Dec. 16 and 17.

“That’s kind of what has really kept us successful over the years in the music business, is we’ve been able to get some of the artists when they’re either taking off or at the end of their career,” Etchevers said.

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Etchevers said the coronavirus pandemic was a big challenge for Jonathan’s. Etchevers said her father saw 2020 as “starting from day one again.” Two years later she said Jonathan’s has regained its footing, this summer bringing back special events like weddings, rehearsal dinners and birthday parties.

“We’re ready for a busy season, for sure,” Etchevers said. “The last two years have been incredibly trying, but we made it through, and we are here to stay.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Jonathan’s Ogunquit summer 2022: Here's the lineup for the Maine venue