Along with Vachon and long-time members tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille and trumpeter Bob Enos, band members include vocalist/harpist Mark DuFresne, bassist Brad Hallen, drummer Jason Corbiere, keyboardist Travis Colby and baritone and tenor saxophonist Mark Earley.

Since their start in 1967, Roomful of Blues' deeply rooted, horn-driven blend of swing, rock 'n roll, jump, blues and soul has earned the band five Grammy Award nominations and many other accolades, including four W.C. Handy Blues Awards. The band has always boasted great musicianship featuring a stellar horn section that won two of the W.C. Handy Blues Awards in 2004, Instrumentalist of the Year-Horns and the coveted Blues Band of the Year. In addition, Roomful of Blues has been selected twice as Best Blues Band by the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll.

"We're braced and excited for Roomful of Blues' appearance here," said Opera House Executive Director Stephen Coppick. "It's one of the largest groups we've ever had on our stage and it's definitely a challenge, but we've wanted to get them here for a long time and we're ready for it. On this night, we're pulling out all the stops."

In addition to an almost non-stop performance schedule for the last 36 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a following around the globe. They have also released 14 albums; their most recent was released in January of this year, "Standing Room Only."

The Roomful of Blues performance begins at 8 with doors opening for general admission seating at 7:30 p.m. The Opera House's historic second floor lounge will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 and $24 and are available at the door or by calling the Opera House box office in advance, 633-5159.

Other August performances at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor include Michael Lane Trautman, the Odd Company, the play "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" and Notes from Home Music Festival. For more information about the performances, visit www.boothbay operahouse.org.