The sun is shining. The ocean is glistening. The waves are gently lapping the shore. The birds are darting back and forth as the tide moves up and down on the sand. The sounds of the Caribbean are wafting from a pub along the seawall. Am I in Bermuda, Jamaica, on maybe the Keys? No.I can’t be. The snow is piled up on the side of the street 8 feet high. The wind chill brings the temperature down somewhere in the vicinity of –30 degrees. I’m wearing my L.L. Bean mucklucks and a hat that goes down to my shoulders. I’m here in northern New England and I’m on my way to hear the Corona Brothers, Maine’s answer to curing cabin fever.

The heart of the Corona Brothers is the duo'' Rog & Ray'', two souls who have taken it upon themselves to keep the short New England summers alive by putting together a band that breathes warm summer breezes into our Arctic freezes. The 5 piece band has been entertaining audiences for 8 years with their blend of Buffett and Belafonte and both Caribbean and Californian beach music, and rock & roll. The line-up also includes some of Maine’s finest musicians. Ben Ray Jones on guitar and flute, Mike Boilard on bass and Ron Bouffard on drums. Ray plays conga, guitar, flute, and a number of percussive instruments that he has collected over the years. Rog plays both electric and acoustic guitar as well as keyboards. The stage is adorned with pink flamingoes, palm trees, and all type of decorations that makes one feel as if one should be ordering daiquiris and making sure that one’s supply of sun tan lotion is well stocked.

It’s not uncommon to hang up your parka and jump into a conga line that is winding it’s way through the pub. The Corona Brothers supply a number of percussive instruments that help every person get into the warm weather mood.

If your in the Northern New England area and are looking for some truly warm entertainment, check out the Corona Brothers. You can find out their schedule by logging on to <www.mainebands.com> and following the prompts to the Corona Brothers.