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 25, 2023

Durham man’s big-name musician friends turn up for benefit concert

After spending years on the road with the Grateful Dead and Blues Traveler, Greg Martens now organizes annual benefit concerts to fight hunger in Maine, featuring musician friends he met along the way.
Published
February 12, 2023

Office romance in work-from-home era? It’s not as remote as you think

Maybe it’s isolation fatigue, but surveys and psychologists suggest workplace relationships could be on the rise and are definitely here to stay.
Published
February 12, 2023

Maine author Cathie Pelletier seeks the cold, hard truth

After 12 novels, the Allagash-based author has developed a passion for narrative nonfiction and the research that goes with it. Her latest book, ‘Northeaster,’ follows the stories of a dozen or so people impacted by a huge Maine storm in 1952.
Published
February 3, 2023

These musical Mainers up for Grammys are heading down the red carpet

Singer-songwriters Amy Allen and Dave Gutter and engineers Adam Ayan and Bob Ludwig all have a chance of winning a Grammy at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Published
January 26, 2023

Actor Tony Shalhoub announces donations to USM arts center, credits college for launching his career

Shalhoub, who graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1977, was at the Portland school Thursday, where he was named honorary chairman of the fundraising drive and pledged $150,000 of his own money.
Published
January 23, 2023

Oscar nod expected for Maine native’s work on ‘Avatar’ sequel

Eric Saindon, originally from Gorham, was the senior visual effects supervisor on the blockbuster film and is considered a favorite for his third Oscar nomination.
Published
January 16, 2023

Country Music Hall of Fame shines spotlight on the life of Maine country singer Dick Curless

The Nashville museum will host a yearlong exhibit on Curless, who died in 1995 and whose soulful music continues to inspire.
Published
January 13, 2023

North Yarmouth Academy grad has hands full as music coordinator for Broadway and TV

Maine native Haley Bennett has built a career as music supervisor, musician and conductor for a wide variety of filmed and live productions, including ‘Schmigadoon!’ on Apple TV+ and the musical ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway now.
Published
January 10, 2023

TV series based on Portland author Richard Russo’s ‘Straight Man’ to debut March 19

Titled ‘Lucky Hank’ and starring Bob Odenkirk, the series will seen on AMC.
Published
January 7, 2023

Lifetime turns Zumba prostitution scandal into made-for-TV movie

‘Let’s Get Physical’ doesn’t specifically name Alexis Wright, who went to jail in 2013 for running a prostitution ring from her Kennebunk fitness studio, but the setting and story are extremely similar.