Runnin’ Down a Dream Tom Petty tribute band returning Oct. 7 to Franco Center

LEWISTON– The Franco Center has announced that Runnin’ Down a Dream: The Tom Petty Tribute Band will return to its stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. For over 40 years, Tom Petty created timeless classics with the Heartbreakers, Mudcrutch, The Traveling Wilburys, and released solo albums until his unfortunate death in 2017. “Our show faithfully replicates the style and feel of a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert, allowing the audience to experience the music of this extraordinary artist,” said Roger Howard, tribute band spokesperson. 

This Maine-based band includes members Mike Boucher on lead vocals and guitar; Harry Coddington on lead guitar; Roger Howard on drums; Marty Mclellan on guitar and vocals; and Steve Brown on keyboard and vocals. When five veteran musicians from Maine, with local and national experience, play Petty’s music together, the feeling, meaning, and very soul of these songs are undeniable.  

Roger said, “Our first performance last year at the  Franco center in Lewiston was magical. Playing  to the enthusiastic audience at the beautifully restored former church made it a really special night for us. We’ll be back for our encore performance on October 7th with some new songs and a whole assortment of Tom Petty’s classics!” Roger started taking drum lessons at age 12 and joined his first garage band at 16. From there he went on to play in an assortment of bands in five states. His wide variety of musical styles include blues, country, alternative, rock, and rhythm and blues. Playing in Runnin’ Down A Dream is the culmination of everything Roger has learned and experienced over many decades in his extensive musical career.      

Mike Boucher started playing Tom Petty songs in his high school cover band. During the 1990s, Boucher began to focus his talents on song writing and has continued to sing and play his music for audiences on the East and West coasts.  

In 2007, Boucher called on Harry Coddington to lend his versatile guitar-playing talents to the alt-country band The Gaffers. Coddington started playing guitar shortly after seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964 when he was six years old. He’s played in many different bands in Florida and now in Maine. He has an affinity for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, which made dreaming up this band just feel natural.  

Marty Mclellan made his debut at a coffee house performing covers of Neil Young, Grateful Dead, Jim Croce and James Taylor at Hobart College in Geneva, New York in 1982. Dirty McCurdy marked Mclellan’s first real experience as a frontman. The band covered mostly rock and roll, but also some original material while it continued to adhere to the blues standards it had established in the Blues Barn years.  

Steve Brown’s music career began in the late 1970s when he joined the band White Water in Central Maine playing a beat-up old Wurlitzer electric piano. This led to a brief Holiday Inn tour with an Elvis Presley tribute show. Brown became an in-demand keyboard player in the New England region. He was a member of some well-known bands including Ricky and the Giants, Elmore Twist Band, Gary Black and the Blues, 43 North and the LA Harley Band.  

These five musicians together on the Franco Center stage will perform the music of Tom Petty with authentic renditions from every stage of Petty’s career. Doors and a cash bar open an hour before showtime.  

Doors and cash bar open at 6 p.m. Concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.francocenter.org/shows or by phone at 207-689-2000. Tickets can also be purchased in person at our box office between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.   

Tier 1 tickets in advance are $30 and at the door: $35. 

Tier 2 tickets in advance are $25 and at the door: $30. 

Watch Runnin’ Down a Dream Tom Petty  Tribute Band’s music videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@RunninDownADreamTPettyTribute/videos 

The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St., Lewiston. Parking is available in the mill lot. The building is handicap accessible on the Lincoln St. Alley side.