Mello and Lynch at Wayside Theatre May 30|

Contributed photo DAVE MELLO

DEXTER – Bluesmen Dave Mello and Leo Lynch will play at the Wayside Theatre on Sat., May 30 at 7 p.m.

 Mello has played in a number of bands, including Wilkinson Tri Cycle and St. Elmo’s Fire.  He’s opened for Leon Russell, the James Cotton Blues Band, the Staple Singers, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, and Duke Robillard. Every Tuesday night Dave plays at Mainely Brews in Waterville.

 “The blues has been one of the few things in my life, that has grabbed hold of me and just won’t let go,” explained Mello.  “There is not one day that goes by that I don’t pick up a guitar or just plain sing the blues.”

 Mello knew he wanted to be a guitar player when he was 6 years old. At 8, his father bought him a Gibson electric guitar with a 15-watt Krystal Tone amplifier. Since his father loved Hank Williams, Mello began by playing a lot of country music.

 But the first time he heard Jimmy Reed, he knew he wanted to be a blues guitar player. To Mello, country music and blues music aren’t that far apart if you go to the roots.

 Lynch picked up the bass guitar in 1974 and grew up jamming in the barn with his brothers. He’s always been inspired by rhythm and blues and first heard Dave Mello in 2001.

 “I really loved what he was doing so I made it a priority to make it to as many of his blues jams as possible.” Lynch has been Mello’s steady bass player since 2008.

 Wayside Theater is on Route 23 (North Dexter Road) and refreshments will be available during intermission. For ticket prices and information, call 277-3733 or 924-5711. Also, find them on Facebook.