Schooner Landing, the long-standing restaurant and bar in Damariscotta, opened its summer entertainment season Wednesday afternoon with a "Party on the Pier.”

"We have a evolved away from the late night rock groups," said owner Charlie Herrick."The majority of our music is now in the afternoon."

Herrick and co-owner Scott Folsom took over the eatery 16 years ago. In the past few years the pair has moved to booking late night bands “only on special occasions.”

On June 10 the Scotti River Trio greeted loyal fans with three sets beginning at 5 p.m. and running till dusk. The group of well-traveled musicians, Paul Mellyn, Steve Jones and Scott Elliot have held down the Wednesday slot for the last several years. Mellyn is from Damariscotta and is featured year-round at several local venues.

Jones and Elliot, who reside in the Augusta area, have played together for over 30 years and are the core of several Midcoast bands.

“Our music is eclectic,” Mellyn said. The repertoire, however, is familiar pulling from folk, country, jazz, bluegrass mixed with some original songs. All three musicians solo instrumentally and on the vocals. Bass player Elliot often throws in kazoo runs, whistling and other sound effects.

In the summer the trio can also be heard at Coveside Restaurant in South Bristol, McSeagull’s in Boothbay Harbor, Muscongus Bay Lobster in Round Pond, King Eider’s Pub in Damariscotta, the Portland Lobster Company in Portland and can be booked for private events.

The trio recently came out with its first CD recorded last summer at Schooner Landing. 

Jones said that the group welcomed the background sounds and voices that came across on the recording.

“It is part of the real experience of being here,” Jones said.

Herrick said he has not completed the summer bookings, but Tuesday afternoons will be for open mic, the Trio on Wednesdays, the Eric Green Duo on Thursdays and Old Grey Goose on Friday. 

“It is free oyster Friday,” said Herrick. Patrons are offered two free oysters to go along with the music and bar offerings. Sundays feature bands selected for rock, reggae and bluegrass. The schedule will be posted online soon at www.schoonerlandingmaine.com, he said.