Ray Routhier

Press Herald

Ray Routhier writes about pop culture, entertainment, music, TV and lifestyle issues. In more than 23 years at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, he has been continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of Maine’s people and places. The word he uses most for stories he’s drawn to is “quirky.” He’s written about the changing cable TV and Internet landscapes, and what those changes mean for the future of information and entertainment. He’s dug clams, raked blueberries and rode on the back of a garbage truck, all in pursuit of stories about real Mainers. He’s had a ball interviewing a range of celebrities from Anna Kendrick and Patrick Dempsey to Billy Joel and Tony Bennett. His passions, besides writing, include baseball history, old movies and “Jeopardy!” A native of Manchester, N.H., he graduated with a degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in South Portland with his wife and two daughters.

Latest

Published
February 12, 2017

And a Grammy goes to … Freeport’s Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers

Taggart and Alex Pall are honored for best dance recording, capping a successful year for the pop duo.
Published
February 12, 2017

Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers has made it big, but still gets homesick for Freeport

The Grammy nominee will be at the awards event in Los Angeles Sunday with mom Laura Girr as his date.
Published
January 27, 2017

Bonny Eagle cheerleading coach accused of having sexual relationship with student

Nicholas Perry, 21, of Standish is released on $5,000 cash bail after his arrest by Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies.
Published
January 24, 2017

Parody of pop hit ‘Closer’ lets fans sing praises of Brady, Patriots

‘Brady Pull Me Closer’ – and ode to our favorite QB – has been set to the music of the The Chainsmokers’ Grammy-nominated hit.
Published
January 22, 2017

Maine environmentalist Rachel Carson focus of PBS documentary airing Tuesday night at 8

Producer and director Michelle Ferrari spent a couple weeks at Carson’s former coastal home in Southport, near Boothbay Harbor, and says Carson spent her ‘happiest moments there.’
Published
January 18, 2017

Sha Na Na’s ‘Bowzer’ Bauman strikes a pose in Portland, on tour to protect safety net for seniors

The vocalist stops in Maine as part of his political side gig – urging people to take action against any efforts to weaken Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security.
Published
December 15, 2016

Love, humor, admiration inspired colorful obituary – ‘and it was all true’

A York man passed away with a bang – the same way he lived – when loved ones recounted his life and their stories went viral.
Published
December 15, 2016

This new reality TV show might make you pine for a cabin in the Maine woods

‘Maine Cabin Masters’ debuts Jan. 9 on the DIY cable channel and follows Maine builder Chase Morrill and his crew as they renovate camps and cabins across the state.
Published
December 12, 2016

Long lines convince owners of Eventide Oyster to expand into Boston

Eventide, which opened in 2012, is one of three restaurants owned jointly and run out of the same building on Middle Street.
Published
December 8, 2016

Elliott Schwartz, Maine’s best-known classical composer, dies at 80

The mentor of generations of Bowdoin College students was an influential innovator in his field, and his work materials are in the Library of Congress.