Standout singer-songwriter brings storytelling talent to Gardiner

Shawn Colvin is a singer-songwriter who stands out as a singular and enduring talent. Her songs are slow-release works of craft and catharsis that become treasured, lifetime companions for their listeners. As a storyteller, Colvin is both keen and warm-hearted, leavening even the toughest tales with tenderness, empathy and a searing sense of humor. And she will bring all of this to the Johnson Hall Opera House stage in Gardiner at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18. [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Shawn-Colvin-061126.jpg) Singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin. (Joseph Llanes photo) In the 30 years since the release of her debut album, Colvin has won three Grammy Awards, released 13 albums, written a critically acclaimed memoir, maintained a non-stop national and international touring schedule, appeared on countless television and radio programs, had her songs featured in major motion pictures, and created a remarkable canon of work. Colvin won fans and impressed critics with subsequent releases, “Fat City” (1992) and “Cover Girl” (1994). In 1996, she released “A Few Small Repairs,” which would prove to be her breakthrough. The song “Sunny Came Home” gave Colvin a Top 10 hit, a platinum-selling album and two of the Grammy’s biggest honors: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. “Shawn Colvin Live” (2009), was recorded during a three-night engagement at San Francisco’s famous jazz club, Yoshi’s, and captures the beauty and intimacy of Colvin’s performances. Highly praised, the album was honored with a Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. Colvin was recognized for her career accomplishments when she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer Award at the 2016 Americana Music Awards. Presenting her with this prestigious accolade was Bonnie Raitt. Said Raitt, “\[Colvin is\] simply one of the best singers I’ve ever heard — and a truly gifted and deep songwriter and guitarist,” Raitt said. “She was groundbreaking when she emerged and continues to inspire me and the legions of fans and other singer/songwriters coming up in her wake.” Advertisement Colvin was most recently honored with an induction into the 2019 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, alongside legendary artists Lyle Lovett and Buddy Guy. In an induction speech, Jackson Browne praised her as “ineffable.” “Not many writers are able to do what Shawn does,” Browne said. “It’s a very special way of relating what really matters. It takes an original to get our attention. Shawn is utterly original in her singing, and original in what she speaks about in her songs.” Doors will open for Colvin’s performance at 6:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event. [Tickets are $45 in advance](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986230145834?aff=oddtdtcreator) and $50 at the door. The box office is open for in-person over-the-phone sales 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday. Hours subject to change. Online tickets can be purchased at any time at [johnsonhall.org](http://johnsonhall.org). All over-the-phone or online purchases will receive a digital ticket sent to your email. You must have a valid email to purchase tickets for this event. The box office can be reached at 207-582-7144 or [\[email protected\]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection). Johnson Hall Opera House is located at 280 Water St., Gardiner, and is handicapped accessible. [](https://www.bowdoin.edu/?utm_source=TimesRecord&utm_medium=SupportingSponsorship) **The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor **We believe a community must be informed to thrive. [**bowdoin.edu**](https://www.bowdoin.edu/?utm_source=TimesRecord&utm_medium=SupportingSponsorship) Copy the Story Link Tagged: [Johnson Hall Opera House](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/johnson-hall-opera-house/), [Midcoast Go](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/midcoast-go/), [music](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/music/), [Times Record](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/times-record/)