To celebrate the 120th Anniversary Year of the Camden Opera House this august 1st at 7:30PM we will be inviting back a few of the 'Best of the Best' artists who have graced our stage, and legendary singer/songwriter Iris Dement surely fits that description. 

DeMent, the last of 14 children, born in Arkansas and raised in Southern California, grew up immersed in gospel music and traditional country. She was somewhat of a late bloomer as an artist, writing her first song at age of 25. Her first release, Infamous Angel, initially issued on Rounder in 1992 before being picked up by Warner Bros., immediately established her as a promising and talented artist. Its 1994 follow-up, My Life, earned a Grammy nomination in the Contemporary Folk category. Her 1996 album The Way I Should addressed political as well as personal themes and earned a Grammy nomination, as well.

Along the way, several of DeMent’s songs became cultural touchstones. “Let The Mystery Be” found its way to MTV Unplugged as a duet by David Byrne and Natalie Merchant. “Our Town” was played over the farewell scene in the series finale of Northern Exposure. Merle Haggard, who said of DeMent, “She’s the best singer I’ve ever heard,” invited her to sit in as his piano player touring with his legendary band The Strangers. He subsequently covered two of her songs “No Time To Cry” and the gospel-tinged “The Shores of Jordan.”

General admission tickets are available on this website, at the Camden Town Office Monday - Friday 9 am - 3 pm, by calling (207)470-7066, and at the door one hour before showtime. Tickets are $28 in advance, and $32 at the door.