Our holiday tip sheet features some CDs and some vinyl, with input from a couple of local music savants.
Ray Routhier
Staff Writer
Ray Routhier has written about pop culture, movies, TV, music and lifestyle trends for the Portland Press Herald since 1993. He is continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of Maine’s people and places. He’s written about why so many businesses use the made-up word “Mainely” in their names, how you can trace Portland’s history through its various smells and why Mainers lament the loss of Portland-made B&M baked beans. He’s interviewed a wide variety of filmmakers, actors, musicians and authors, including Patrick Dempsey, Tony Shalhoub, Richard Russo, Tess Gerritsen, Tony Bennett, Anna Kendrick, and Stephen King. His passions, besides writing, include baseball history, old movies and “Jeopardy!” A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, he graduated with a degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in South Portland with his wife and two children.
‘Hobbit’ huge for Tolkien’s Maine fans
Jason Dillman doesn’t dress up for just any midnight movie. Sure, there are probably lots of folks who will get in costume for a “Harry Potter” film one month and a “Star Wars” film the next. But for Dillman, it’s all about J.R.R. Tolkien and his pioneering ways in fantasy fiction. Dillman is admiring enough […]
Quieter on the set: new law will muffle loud, obnoxious ads
Those loud, annoying TV commercials should end Thursday under a new law that says the volume has to be similar to the program the ads interrupt.
Comedian uses Portland hotel as punch line
Portland apparently gave comedian Louis C.K. an early holiday present when he was here for a performance in November – a punch line about a bad hotel room.
Mainer misses $1 million, but the race still ‘Amazing’
James Davis and Jaymes Vaughan come in second in ‘The Amazing Race’ TV show.
Maine native muscles in on $1 million prize
James Davis, a dancer with Chippendales, from Jefferson, reaches ‘The Amazing Race’ finals.
Portlanders once again have Grammy touch
Several artists who were nominated for Grammys on Thursday use Bob Ludwig and Adam Ayan to master their recordings.
Krieger’s Kitchen
Expect everything including the sink when the onetime Doors guitarist brings his jazz show to Port City.
Off Beat: Space just the place for holiday letter heads
If letter writing is a lost art — as the mysterious and omnipresent “they” are wont to say — then renewing your letter-writing skills in an art gallery makes sense. So if you haven’t written to your long-lost love since iPhones were invented, or if your family’s tradition of homemade holiday cards has morphed into […]
Live Grammy nominee updates
Reporter Ray Routhier shares updates on the stars and those behind the scenes of the music industry have a chance at their field’s highest honors.