About the bluegrass band Chicken Wire Empire, a reviewer said, "These musicians must enjoy what they do because their joy translates through their instruments." Hailing from Wisconsin, the band has partnered with dozens of artists from all corners of the bluegrass genre, from Sam Bush and Peter Rowan to Vince Herman and Keller Williams. Their forthcoming album features guest appearances from Grammy-winning artists Jerry Douglas and Kyle Tuttle.

Chicken Wire Empire -  Jordan Kroeger on upright bass, Ernest Brusubardis IV on violin/fiddle, Jon Peik on banjo, Carter Shilts on mandolin, and Starr Moss on guitar - brings their bluegrass magic to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m.  

Chicken Wire Empire is on the cutting edge of a vibrant and thriving Milwaukee Americana and roots music scene. Together since 2014, mandolin player Carter Shilts said, “Being a bluegrass picker from Wisconsin, you quickly learn who the other pickers are and what sort of styles they're into playing ... We all had similar bluegrass influences and, for that reason, had a bit of a shared musical vocabulary that we could discuss from the moment we met, so there was fertile ground for the band to grow from.”

The band is also informed by the places they play and the people they meet. “Being able to play music in different parts of the world is really eye-opening and gives us a lot of passion for what we do. Crossing so many state lines gives you a real sense of the in-between cultural fabric that holds the world together. Seeing it all firsthand is a special kind of life that we'll never take for granted,” Shilts said. 

For more about the band visit https://www.chickenwireempire.com/.

Advance discounted tickets are $25 and available now, from the box office at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor, open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Or call 207-633-5159. Regular tickets are $30, on the day of the concert or in advance from the official website at https://boothbayoperahouse.com. Doors for seating open at 7 p.m. The bar will have cold drinks for sale, cash only.