A small indie music venue, built on a whim in a barn in the woods of tiny Brownfield has grown into a popular destination for internationally-known performers.
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A small indie music venue, built on a whim in a barn in the woods of tiny Brownfield in 2006 that grew into a cherished destination for internationally known performers, celebrated its 20-year anniversary this summer.
Singer-songwriter Carol Noonan founded the Stone Mountain Arts Center with husband Jeff Flagg when she had tired of touring. Flagg was a commercial fishing net builder; neither of them had ever run a performance venue.
But together they had an assortment of talents to make it happen, “and enough idealism to not be scared off,” Noonan said.
They had a 200-year-old barn, too, in their backyard on Dugway Road, which Flagg and friends managed to transform into a 200-seat music venue with a commercial kitchen. A second barn was added, which functions as the lobby.
“The area was ripe for it,” Noonan said. When she and Flagg opened in 2006, she found there were few owner-operated venues in Maine, and the lack of attention to detail for the artist as well as the audience was something she wanted to change.
With Carol’s ties to music agents and performers, word spread and the new venue pretty quickly became a coveted tour stop for an impressive list of performers.
Over the years, the center has hosted Brandi Carlisle, Lyle Lovett, Rhiannon Giddens, Vince Gill, Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Hiatt, Robert Cray, Lucinda Williams, Judy Collins, Joan Baez, Indigo Girls, Bela Fleck, Keb Mo, Joan Armatrading and Richie Havens.
Many artists have professed their love for Stone Mountain Arts Center. Mary Chapin Carpenter’s tribute is one example:
“For so many years Stone Mountain Arts Center has been one of the absolute highlights of our tour itinerary. From the comfort of the band and crew spaces —vintage vinyl, comfy fall-asleep sofas, screened porch with crickets soundtrack, pool table! — to the incredible food, snacks and beverages, we look forward to pulling in and camping out for a couple of days,” Chapin shared.
“No matter how wrecked from travel and shows we are when we arrive, we always leave restored, having been fed, cared for, feted and spoiled rotten. Carol and Jeff and their beautiful staff have created an oasis for touring musicians. May it continue to heal and bless all of us fortunate road warriors!”
The center hosts performances year-round.
“We wanted this for our community as much as the seasonal tourists,” Noonan said, adding that a large percentage of their visitors come from outside the state and usually stay at a nearby inn, which boosts the local economy.
Noonan herself still performs occasionally, though she said she is the chief cook and bottle washer most days. On occasion she hangs up her apron and puts on her guitar for a show with the Stone Mountain band, featuring her friends Duke Levine and Kevin Barry, who have played with her for over 30 years.
In an era dominated by major concert promoters and ticket brokers, "We are the David to an ever-changing Goliath of a music industry," Noonan said.
More information
Check out the lineup of performers scheduled for the coming months on the Stone Mountain Arts Center website.
And for some history, read the story Mainebiz published about Noonan back in 2006, when she was honored on the Mainebiz Next list for her contributions to Maine's economy.
