A guitar-based retro-rock band with elements of R&B, Dooryarders call Harpswell home these days, though each member comes “from away.” Guitarist, lead singer, songwriter Bill Stamey began life in Memphis, where he played Beale Street many times. Guitarist Howard Coven, originally from Staten Island, spent two decades playing in bands on the California Coast before moving to Maine in 2020. Bassist Randy Shaw hails from Rhode Island but came to Maine for college and never left. He has played in bands since his teens also. These three members form the core of the band and enjoy harmonizing vocally. We have had a variety of drummers and will feature Hal Ahlers at our Chocolate Church event.

The band began playing live around the Mid-Coast region in June 2023, and that July played the Waterfront Concert Stage at Bath Heritage Days. This was followed by several other gigs in the Mid-Coast area that year. In 2024 Dooryarders played shows in Augusta, Bath, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Damariscotta, Harpswell, Jefferson, Lewiston, Portland, Westbrook, and Windham (including a repeat visit to Bath Heritage Days, the Summer Fun Concert Series, and the Live Edge Music Festival).

Dooryarders have been influenced by Stax recording artists (such as Booker T and the MGs, Sam and Dave, Rufus Thomas, Otis Redding), and many others across a range of musical styles including Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello (to whom the Dooryarders sound has more than once been compared), Todd Snider, John Prine, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Tom Petty, the Smithereens, the Clash, the Replacements, and George Harrison. These and many more have helped to inform the Dooryarders musical direction.

The band’s first album, best laid plans, was released in October 2023, and received airplay around the world on internet and terrestrial radio stations including Boston College and WCLZ in Portland, Maine. Their music has been played on the Greetings from the Area Code 207 show and Maine Music TV multiple times. Dooryarders has released the first single from their second album, “Cheap-ass Wine" to streaming services everywhere.

Website

FaceBook

Instagram