2017 LCFF perfomers
“2PM” is Pete Price, Pete Hennings, and Mike Jurgensen, a trio of talented musicians who blend their varied musical talents into an eclectic mix of material, from original songs, to obscure covers, to well-known standards. With Price on guitar and bass, Hennings on guitar, bass, mandolin, and violin, and Jurgensen on guitar and harmonica, these three performers combine tight instrumentation with pristine vocal harmonies to delight audiences of all musical tastes. All three are talented songwriters and have performed solo as well as with other bands: Hennings and Price with Jon Semmes and the Florida Friends, and Jurgensen and Hennings with Myriad. The combination of Pete, Pete, and Mike as “2PM”, however, is a unique trio that has delighted audiences at acoustic venues and folk festivals around the state of Florida. "2PM" has released three CDs: “Keepin’ Time”, "Let's Just Play One More", and their most recent, “Writing on the Wall”, released in 2017.
Al has been playing and writing songs for over thirty years! Strictly a closet singer/songwriter for many years, until being lured to a jam session many moons ago at local music shop. One thing led to another and soon he was playing at festivals and concert venues around the state. The rest as they say, is history.Prior to forming the Florida folk group, The Ashley Gang, with his com padre Paul Garfinkel, Al released two solo recordings. Mr. Singer in 1995, and The Promised 1998.Al has won several awards for his songwriting and has been a finalist in numerous songwriting competitions.His most recent Release "Gibtown" is chock full of new and interesting tunes.
Bear and Robert are Cindy Bear and Franc Robert (Row-bear), an award winning singer-songwriter duo from Jacksonville, FL. Their sound is a deep well of original Blues, Folk and Americana with a high energy “je ne sais quoi!” Their catchy melodies, driving rhythms, soulful, thought provoking lyrics, and strong musical interplay will touch your heart in many different ways, and always leave you wanting more. Together they have played numerous festivals, house concerts, fundraisers and venues from Florida to Memphis.
Bee and the Hive
Bee and the Hive deliver fun sets of Americana music developed on Florida's Space Coast replete with three-part harmony, a touch of bluegrass, and acoustic blues. The band members are: Bee Zander—vocals and guitar, Jeff Stanton—vocals and banjo, Mary Kate Brennan—vocals and guitar, Jeff Meyer—bass, and Dave Macdonald—vocals and mandolin. Website Facebook
Started in the early 1980's as The McLaughlin Family String Band in Eustis, Fl. Renamed as Blackwater Creek when the kids grew up and began lives of their own. Pat and Suzy Mclaughlin still own and run the band. Members now include Dale Rathbun guitar, Dave Logan mando, and Dave Potter fiddle.
Bob Lusk sings historic and regional folk songs of Florida, accompanying himself on the guitar, banjo, concertina and waldzither. He includes traditional songs from the Alton C. Morris collection, the blues of Zora Neale Hurston, and songs and stories from Stetson Kennedy and Woody Guthrie. Other song sources include Will McLean, Gamble Rogers, Pete Seeger and Frank Thomas. Bob was a director of both the Folkloric Music Association and Heritage Folk Music, a staff member of Sing Out! Magazine, and a member of Pete Seeger’s Hudson River Sloop Singers. He currently performs with The Brevard Theater Ensemble, The Medieval Gypsies, and Veteran’s in a New Field. He has a monthly ballad show at the Florida Irish American Society.
Chuck Hardwicke is a talented singer songwriter, his songs are images of Florida . Song tittles such as "Oklawaha Mist", "Drifting with the Wind" and "St John's River Blues" lure you in while the band adds a special magic. The Hart Line consists of three talented individuals who are accomplished musicians in their own right. Karan Newman, mandolin, fiddle, and occasional kazoo; Bill Snyder, upright bass, harmonica; and Dean Parrish, lead guitar. Along with their musicianship, each member of Chuck Hardwicke and the Hart Line contributes vocally, adding to their whole sound. In addition to Florida songs, the band may venture into old-time, swing, blues, old country, and even a Dylan song or two. The group is well known at folk festivals all over Florida.
Chrys Milano
Chrys Milano is an acoustic blues guitarist and poet with a gypsy soul. Locals remember her as Miss Chrys, the singing server at Olivia's Coffeehouse in Eustis. Besides waiting on her beloved patrons, she also participated in the weekly open mikes and "the Songwriter Forum" debuting her original music. She loves to convey her passion for the blues --- "the facts of life". Her bucket list includes recording her originals for her grandchildren.
Dan Gribbin is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Daytona Beach Shores. His music, which often features Florida birds and wildlife, has been celebrated for its humor, as well as its spiritual range and satiric bite. Dan was one of the gang at the Eustis Street Grill, a place he commemorated in the "Eustis Cafe Blues."
A seasoned touring professional playing shows annually throughout the country, Doug Spears is a rare fifth generation Florida native, a troubadour storyteller and performing songwriter. Doug achieved a measure of notoriety surrounding his 2010 CD "Welcome Home" which finished the year as a top 40 folk album internationally on the International Folk DJ Chart (the "Billboard" chart of independent folk music). The album featured a stellar cast of award winning musicians and garnered several awards including Runner-Up folk song of the year for "Yellow Butter Moon" by the International Acoustic Music Awards. A favorite on the House Concert, Listening Room and Festival circuits Doug sings of his native Florida, his own personal experiences and those of the people he meets and learns of in his travels. Doug's shows are an intimate, personal experience where you can expect to laugh, cry, tap your toes, learn a little and thoroughly enjoy yourself.
Once upon a time, a handsome young knave from the mountains of the north was visiting a tropical southern peninsula. Wandering through the streets of a small hamlet, he chanced upon a faire. Citizens from far and wide had gathered for food and song and dance. An army of minstrels was entertaining the crowd with their songs and tales. Our knave paused to purchase a strange sausage from a vendor, for it was, after all, the dawn of a hot, dog-like kind of day. Suddenly, he heard behind him the haunting sound of an ancient instrument known as a Hammered Dulcimer played by a beautiful young maiden. The knave knew at once, this woman would be his partner in music and in life. And so it came to pass. And Chris and Phil were dubbed Dulcinea after Don Quixote’s love by Mistress Debbie of Jamieson for the sweet sound of their instruments and married by Michael of Clan Campbell. And the knave and maiden have come to be known as Dulcinea's Music. And, so, they ply their skills as instructors and traveling musicians and printers throughout the realm.
Hailing from South Florida, the Dusty Road Rangers Band plays a lively mix of fun American roots music. Combining smooth vocal harmonies with traditional string band instruments, the Rangers offer up a variety of upbeat bluegrass, folk, classic country, old-time tunes, pub songs, blues and ballads.
The Dusty Road Rangers include Mike Desztich (guitar, mandolin), Ellen Eckblad (fiddle, accordion, penny whistle), Roy Connors (guitar, banjo) and Bob Haynes (upright bass, guitar, harmonica). These award-winning pickers have been performing together at many folk and bluegrass festivals, acoustic music venues, honky-tonks and taverns from south Florida on up through the Carolina mountains
From Menopause to Marijuana…From Peace to Politics…From Poignant to Provocative…Ellen Bukstel writes and sings about it all. This type of happy-sad, life embracing, fear-overcoming emotional schizophrenia truly captures the spirit of modern independent music making—whatever she feels in that moment, she shares…and whatever else Ellen is, she’s not shy about it…Making her audience sit up and think…laugh til they cry…and sometimes all at the same time.
A veteran to the stage since childhood, she has been honored with close to 50 Songwriting and Music Video awards and acknowledgments since 2002 by such notable competitions such as John Lennon, Paul Stookey’s Music To life, New Zealand Int’l Peace Song, Breaking the Silence in Song, Kerrville NewFolk, just to name a few. And, her songs are making a huge difference in people’s lives.
Florida boy working on his 8th CD of original songs. Americana, Blues/grass, and Folk Rock love songs mixed together might describe the sound. Some songs are about the history, environment, and characters of the great State of Florida. Emmett plays most of the big Festivals in Florida including the Will Mclean Festival, Gamble Rogers Festival, Florida Folk Festival, Sarasota Folk Festival, Clay County Fair, and many venues around the State. Selected to play the Johnson City Folk Festival, Unicoi, Tennessee. His newest CD is "Down the Road to Barberville". My 7th CD, “Higher Hopes, Bigger Dreams”, was named CD of the Year (Song Writer) by the Florida Times - Union. Thanks to everyone who likes and shares with the coolest folks of all --The Fans. Peace.
A bucolic assortment of feathered friends from the Brooksville Henway (and you say, "What's a Henway?") Bassist extraordinaire Curtis Wayne Schaper, Master dobroist Pasco Paul Belmore, the most solid percussionist Ron Townsend and other distinguished musical ne'er-do-wells perform singer-songwriter Frank Julian's wacky, poignant and educational creations.
Gail Carson is an award-winning song/songwriter from Palm Coast, FL. She writes songs in the County/Folk/Americana /Easy Listening genres. Gail Carson will be accompanied by Ron Spencer on Bass, Ron Townsend on Cajon, and Pasco Paul Belmore on Dobro. Gail currently has 17 cd's of original music. Her latest CD is called "Reflections" and is new for 2017. Stop by FOFF booth and pick one up.
She is the Host of The Gail Carson Show, an indie artist showcase series for internet radio. She is on staff at fishingcountrynow.com and you can hear her songs and her shows on independent internet radio shows here and around the world.
In 2017, she was nominated for Americana Songwriter Of The Year and Photographer Of The Year, with The Josie Music Awards in Nashville. http://www.josiemusicawards.com/
Hard To Port is a unique group of friends and musicians who have played together and separately in a variety of other groups for many years now - the group now pools their talents under the moniker of "Hard To Port", a Celtic Fusion Band. The term Celtic Fusion means the band plays everything from traditional Irish jigs, reels, and songs, to folk-tinged singer-songwriter arrangements sprinkled with a little rock'n'roll. And often, all of that blended together in one song! Sometimes we take a familiar folk or rock'n'roll song and infuse it with "celt", sometimes we take a traditional Celtic song and blend in some rock'n'roll mayhem! Add to that our extensive catalog of original material, and we never play the same set twice!
The easy listening sounds of the husband and wife team of Emery and Peggy Williams can best be described as “Contemporary Coffee House/Wine Bar”, a little folky and a little smokey. And maybe sometimes, a little hokey!
Peggy's gentle guitar style and soothing voice along with Emery's endless array of percussion sounds and harmonica interludes provide especially memorable "Homegrown Sounds".
Peg and Em's Homegrown Sounds has played at several folk festivals around the State of Florida.
They also perform for many charitable and civic functions in the Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port and Fort Myers areas.
They are members of the Sarasota Folk Club and the Americana Community Music Association (ACMA), in Ft. Myers
In Good Company is a group of seasoned performers, all of whom sing and write. They play acoustic, original Florida folk songs and select (often obscure) covers with three and four part harmonies that often encourage the audience to sing along. They have fun playing together, and that ensures that the audience has a good time as well!
Jackson Creek Band labels it’s style of music as “fiddle-folk-grass”. It is a dynamic blend of music including… folk, mild bluegrass, a variety of fiddle tunes with a bit of cowboy, gospel, and just plain fun. Many of their songs were written by Joe Waller who leads the group. There is truly something for everyone in their music. They play for festivals, re-enactments, barn dances, weddings, and a variety of parties throughout Central Florida and have even traveled a bit. And…they have a two CDs. The newest “I Wish I Was…” includes many of Joe’s songs. Joe and Katie are glad to have Tim Martin (saw) playing with them this year! Be sure to check their web page www.folkfiddle.com so you can check out their performance schedule!
James Hawkins is a singer/songwriter from Venice Florida. For about 10 years he has knocked around the Florida Folk scene performing in many different venues from festivals to coffee houses to a couple of concert halls. Folks have described James’s music as a mix of Woody Guthrie and Harry Chapin but he leaves that judgement up to you. Since he has joined this wonderful group of Florida Folk Musicians, 8 songs have been recorded by 7 Florida Folk Artists. Also 3 songs are included on 3 different compilation CD’s.
Jerry Mincey along with his musical sidekick Tony Macaluso, have been performing together for 18 years! They have honed their art to a fine edge through great muscianship, award winning songwriting, and just having fun on stage. They have performed on stages from Florida to Nashville, beer joints, and festivals. Jerry's first rock band The Panics, helped Gram Parsons open his teen music club, The Derry Down, in December, 1963. Recently, Tony and Jerry played the grand reopening of the Derry Down, 50 years later to the day. Jerry's long awaited third album, Dirt Roads Scholar, was released in May to rave reviews. Produced by Larry Mangum, it is a must listen.
Lift those mugs and raise your voices! Jig to a Milestone is here bring you the best in classic Irish drinking songs, hearty sea shanties, and heartfelt ballads! With a plethora of instruments, beautiful harmonies, and bad jokes Jig to a Milestone is sure to entertain!
Singer/songwriter Joe Bonfiglio (Joe B.) writes songs about his life experiences, but he also delves into literature, new and old, and film, television, and the news for his inspiration. His flat picking style is unique, something he developed in his earliest days of playing solo, and he incorporates a percussive quality as well. In his first incarnation, he sang, played guitar, and wrote songs for the group The DuCaines, who recorded a single for Atlantic Records. as a folk singer/songwriter, and recorded a demo album for RCA records while playing various NY and college venues.. His recording, “Third Time’s the Charm,” was released in January of 2014. His latest recording is called “Sidewalk Sidestep” and was released in January of 2016. He has had 3 songs in 2016 that have been in the Tropical Rock Top 40: “The Beach,” “ Back to Mexico” and “West Coastin’,”. He was nominated as Trop Rock Vocalist of 2016
Joel Kelley
Joel Kelley is well-known for his driving rhythm and versatile fingerstyle on his Martin 12-string guitar and the Gibson Mastertone banjo. His roots are in the music of Florida’s folksingers Gamble Rogers, Will McLean, and personal friends Paul Champion and Jim Ballew. Joel continues to include the folk music of the 50s through the 2000s in the huge repertoire of songs he plays and sings. His passion for the music of the Kingston Trio, notably that of member John Stewart, and of the music of Gordon Lightfoot and Tom Paxton is evident in his performances. He performed for many years as a single act, as a duo with Jan Sheldon, and with the folk trio Crawdad and Wild Thyme, the Smithtones, Eustis Street Chorale, M.T. Pawkett’s, and the string band Common Ground. He has performed throughout Central Florida and at numerous festivals throughout the state.
Also see Joel with Work Release Program and check out his jam
In the winter of 2013, right after his twin boys were born, John John Brown started writing songs that would turn into his debut album The Road. No Depression calls it, "A supple and suggestive blend of astute Americana accompanied by a quiet, reflective glow", while Elmore Magazine dubbed him, "One of the most promising young names in folk music today." John John's live acoustic performances have been receiving critical acclaim as well. In 2015 and 2017, he was chosen as a Kerrville Folk Finalist for the legendary "New Folk" competition, in 2016 he went home a winner of the South Florida Folk Fest Songwriting Contest, and he was recently selected as a 2017 Emerging Artist at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Seeped in good storytelling and fingerpicking melodies, John John Brown seems to have discovered part of the mystery that surrounds the great singer/songwriter tradition.
Just Twistin Hay
Sharon Hartmann - 40+ years playing fiddle, Sharon is the driving fiddle, and co-founder behind this quartet. She crosses over several genres of fiddle playing from Old-Time dance tunes, to traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, and will throw a swing feel in from time to time, or interject a little Bluegrass feel into the mix.
Lee Simpson's intricate, complex guitar playing, and powerful vocals add a rich, warm layer to the music! He also has been playing guitar for 40+ years and does it with grace, style, and wit - Lee is very subtle and astute - understanding "how to play nicely with others" - he inspires, educates, and surprises us.
Jacob Butler - Powerful voice, exciting banjo, incredible bodhran - can't say enough about this amazingly talented young man. Tune arranger, rhythm out the ying-yang, amazing BIG vocals that are clear, crisp, deep, and emotional. He finds us new vocal pieces and brings out old music in new ways.
David Clipp - Experienced, Multi-instrumentalist, and can dish out the vocals with the best of 'em! Dave's cool bass and sweet mando and zook playing' fill in and take us up a notch 'er two. We make good use of his multiple talents and 20+ years of playing'. Dave has a good sense for interesting arrangements.
Justin Marshall Orlow
Justin Marshall Orlow is an engaging and colorful singer-songwriter and entertainer performing acoustic originals with an eclectic, old-soul sound. Originally from Toledo, Ohio Justin relocated to sunny Florida where he has been performing for the last ten plus years. The relocation has helped to shape the sound of his compositions while still retaining hints of his “rust belt” roots. Justin signed with Lakehouse Records and Publishing in 2016 and immediately released his debut full length album East 408 with outstanding reviews.
Ken Skeens is a folksinger, guitarist of Appalachian heritage and an award-winning songwriter of original songs whose subjects range from the environment, preservation of nature to songs about spirituality, social issues, Americana, and heart and home. Ken's acoustic music is mellow and thought-provoking.
Ken won the Will McLean Award for songwriting in 1992. His three entries finished 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. He also placed 1st in the "I Remember Gamble" song contest in 2002. Ken and Leigh have been singing together since 1993. They sing at various venues and folk festivals around the state such as the annual Florida Folk Festival (White Springs, FL), Will McLean Music Festival (Dade City, FL), Gamble Rogers Festival (St. Augustine, FL), Sierra Club, Mennello Folk Art Museum, and other acoustic venues and special events. They are members of FOFF (Friends of Florida Folk) and Ken's song "Old Florida River" was used as part of a radio program (Appalachiacola Doin' Time) that won the "Edward R. Murrow Award" for best radio documentary in 2000. The title song on the most recent CD, "Down A Barefoot Road" written by Ken, will take you back to a simpler time and place.
Lake Eustis Area Dulcimer Players
Lake Eustis Area Dulcimer Players is a group that meets every month to share, promote, educate, & inspire others with both the Mountain and Hammered dulcimer instruments. Group members encourage all who are interested in traditional music, its history & folk instruments to join with us in the playing of acoustic instruments, sharing fellowship, and continuing the musical traditions of long ago.
Orlando native, Lauren Lester, writes and performs her own original music and also plays a diverse range of cover tunes. Some performances include the Okeechobee Music Festival, Orlando's Fringe Festival, and the Winter Park Art Festival. Lauren recently won a songwriting competition hosted by 103.1 the Wolf radio station and co-wrote a song with Johnny Bulford at Warner Chapel Music in Nashville. Lauren’s debut album ‘My Love’, released in 2014, is a blend of Jazz and Americana styles. Her new album ‘Beginnings and Endings’ is full of catchy melodies with a country/folk flair. Both albums are available now on her website.
Seven years in the early days of Nashville taught Mike & Maggie McKinney what they did not want. The heart of music should not be lost in the business of music. The music that Lucky Mud writes/sings/plays comes from the dirt of their native Florida. Mix that with a little saltwater, sweat and tears and you have Mud, Lucky Mud. Lucky Mud plays SwampyTonk and Folkabilly.
Luke Wagner's music is a reflection of his upbringing from across the United States. His blend of incorporating Country, folk, bluegrass, and singer/songwriter creates a blend of Americana that is truly unique. With descriptive narratives and storytelling accompaniment, Luke Wagner and his band brings to life the stories, trials, and excitement of all people across America.
MacNamarra's Hurrah is a unique group of friends and musicians who have played together and separately in a variety of other groups for many years now - the group recently elected to pool their talents under the moniker of "MacNamarra's Hurrah" which is named after Joe Waller's original song referencing the emigration of an Irish man to America, seeking a better life.
MARY BETH CAMPBELL AND FRIENDS consists of Mary Beth Campbell, an award winning and published songwriter who also plays acoustic guitar, Musician/Songwriter, Chris Campbell, who plays stand-up bass and harmonica for the group and Mike Gray, guitar and background vocals. Freddy Burke, who also joins the group occasionally will be playing fiddle with the group at the 2017 Lake County Folk Festival. As a group, they perform a spirited mix of original songs, which blend Americana, Folk, Bluegrass and Country styles. Mary Beth also writes songs specifically about Florida. The group has performed multiple times at the Florida Folk Festival, the Barberville Spring and Fall Festivals, The Will McLean Festival, The St. Johns River Festival of the Arts and many other venues in Central Florida.
McIntyre is a Celtic band featuring Lisa McIntyre (vocals, guitar, mandolin, Irish bouzouki) and Lenny King (vocals, mandolin, melodica, whistles, guitar and bodhran) with Terry Henson on bass and George Houston on percussion. McIntyre specializes in Celtic Folk Shenanigans at pubs and festivals. Their musical antics and dulcet tones can be found every fourth Saturday of the Month at Tremain’s Pub in Mt Dora, Florida and at least once a month or so at their “home pub” Connolly’s Irish Pub in Longwood, Florida. The band’s motto is “Keep Calm and Get McIntyred!”
Mike Campbell
Original songs about family, beer, earthquakes and tidal waves. His songs are funny, sad, poetic and historic, guaranteed to be entertaining.
Mike Worrall wears a lot of hats. In addition to his songwriting, an amalgam of folk and blues and country influences that can range from poignant to ironic to darkly humorous, he is also a multi-instrumentalist with many years of stage experience. From coffee houses to concert stages, from swanky hotels to honkytonks, for Mike Worrall it’s been a million miles, thousands of gigs, and hundreds of towns… picking, singing, laughing and living.
Mindy Simmons has been on the folk music scene in Florida for over 25 years. She brings a fun-filled performance with humor and wit as well as thought provoking messages for all. Her friends include Lisa Bohn and Ellen Bukstel adding excellent harmonies and Mark Goldberg on bass. Together they are fun, feisty and fabulous!
Paul Smithson returned to Florida from California in 2010 to discover an active and fertile music scene in Lake County. He immediately picked up gigs as a solo artist. After hearing The John French Connection performing one night, he became an immediate fan and knew he would love to perform with the group. After expressing interest in joining the band, Paul became part of The French Connection. Knowing Paul was also a songwriter, John invited Paul to bring his material into the band, the rest is history. Now sharing both writing and singing responsibilities, John and Paul decided it was time for a name change, something that made it less about one person and more about a band: La Grange was born, with Joe Ramirez on bass and Larry Ziegenfuss on fiddle. After a couple of years as La Grange, Paul and John decided to devote more time to creating and recording new material, and now focus on performing at festivals, house concerts, and special events. They now perform as Smithson & French.
Back Porch Revival is a family organization of multi-talented musicians. This family group Jim Robertson on guitar and fiddle, Melanie Robertson on banjo and ukulele, John McClure on mandolin. Matt Coltharp on fiddle and mandolin and Jim Rigel on bass are a perfect combination for a band.Their songs incorporate the Florida life as in in Melanie's "Florida Gal" and Jim along with Robin Plitt "The Train that went to Jail" "Engineers don't wave from the trains anymore" Back Porch Revival has lead vocals, harmony and instrumental arrangements to invite you to sing along and keep your foot tapping. They have won awards as a band, for their vocal harmonies and for their individual talents as instrumentalists and vocalists. The Back Porch Revival Band has performed at the prestigious Florida Folk Festival for 27 years.
The Cd Live at Highlands Hammock has these comments "A compilation of originals and classic Florida Folk songs and other folk songs that are exceptionally done. It will take you to a by gone day where lemonade and country tunes made everything better. I especially like track 7 and 13. If you like Folk music or want to listen to music"
Julian/Cherkinsky is a collaboration between Jordan Cherkinsky and Frank Julian. Jordan Cherkinsky hails from the Detroit area, but his musical influence is taken from Gram Parsons, Clarence White, Townes VanZandt, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman,Tony Rice, Gillian Welch, and others. Frank Julian, originally from upstate New York, has also appeared at Folk Festivals and various venues throughout the state of Florida. Frank's award winning lyrical talents, his wonderful vocals, and rhythm guitar playing coupled with Jordan's melodic maneuverings and elaborate finger-stylings create a unique musical energy that is quickly garnering acclaim in the Americana scene. Frank and Jordan have written a surprisingly eclectic mix of songs that are gaining attention across the spectrum of the genre.
A folk festival “Older 'n dirt” performer, actually just the name of one of Larry’s songs.Jacksonville,FL singer/songwriter LARRY MANGUM has nearly 3000 performances over 5+ decades as a folk, rock, country and Americana artist... An evening of Larry’s songs is an emotional roller coaster touching the heart, the mind and the soul that stays with the listener long after the performance. After years of high quality performances at festivals, country clubs, house concerts, fairs and honky tonks, Larry Mangum has become one of the premiere songwriters and performers in Florida!
The Odd Kouple
Paul Evans and Eddie "Buzz" O'Donnell are a couple of misfits that somehow share similar tastes in acoustic music, blending six- and twelve-string guitar to familiar unplugged soft rock and folk favorites.
Passerine’s music occupies a zone somewhere between modern folk, progressive bluegrass, and what is loosely called “Americana.” With original songs as well as their own arrangements of traditional songs, Passerine carries on the living tradition of acoustic folk music rooted in popular experience, memory, and shared wisdom. By combining diverse musical interests with instrumentation usually associated with a traditional string band, and with
Vocal harmonies that sometimes move outside the usual structures, Passerine has created a sound with a personality that is both familiar and unique, whether the song is a sweet ballad, a
Foot-stomping bluegrass tune or one of their more rocking originals.
Members:David Brain (resonator guitar, lap steel) Carmela Pedicini (vocals, acoustic guitar) Sara Stovall (vocals, violin, mandolin) Doug Conroy (upright bass, vocals)
New to the Florida Folk Scene this 7th generation Floridian, writes and performs songs from the heart. She grew up singing backseat harmony to The Mamas and the Papas and songs from the Baptist Hymnal. Fascinated by lyric and melody from an early age, it wasn’t until Rachel had a career and family that she found the courage to give songwriting an earnest try. Rachel is one of those artists that you hear and have to come back for more.
A relative newcomer to the Americana/Folk music scene, Rachel has performed at top festivals in Florida such as Florida Folk Festival, Gamble Rogers Music Festival and Will McLean Music Festival. Rachel was a top 10 finalist in the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest in 2016 and 2017.
Rachel released her debut album, “Twists + Tangles,” in August, 2016. She is currently writing songs for her next project, “Florida Home,” a collection of songs about life in rural Florida.
Remedy Tree are a band blazing their own trail in the field of indie Americana. A little bit of bluegrass, some indie attitude and combination of male and female vocals reminiscent of ages past mix together for a modern and traditional sound all on one. Remedy Tree is an Americana Indie-Folk band from St Augustine FL, with Influences from Old-time, bluegrass and classical. Gabriel Acevedo, Singer/Songwriter and multi instrumentalist started writing songs at a young age. Gabriel formed Remedy in the Summer of 2015 with his wife Abigail Acevedo (vocals, guitar, upright bass), and Xander Lynn, Principle Cellist of the St Augustine Orchestra
The Roadside Revue is a band of award winning songwriters, musicians and friends who have been playing together for well over 20 years. Ron Litschauer - Guitar, mandolin Bari Litschauer - Banjo, mandolin, Dawn DeWitt - Upright bass, guitar Stan Geberer - Harmonica, guitar Wayne Martin - Fiddle From Miami to White Springs, they annually play almost every major Folk festival in Florida, as well as numerous concerts and venues across the state. They hold many awards, including the coveted and prestigious “Ken Buchanan Most Peculiar Campsite” award for 18 straight years. Their music was recently heard across the United States when one of their early low budget CDs somehow got stuck in someone’s CD player while on the way to Seattle from Florida.Serious to silly, historic to hysterical, their music is presented with influences of Florida folk music, bluegrass, blues, rock, country, and gospel. Having lost their innocence and shyness at an early age, the members of The ROADSIDE REVUE are not afraid to have a good time on stage. If you haven't laughed, cried, or been thoroughly entertained by the end of one of their sets, then it was probably the sound man's fault… unless the sound man was Tom Ellis or Jeff Friberg… in which case there is no known explanation. FESTIVAL APPEARANCES: Florida Folk Festival, Will McLean Festival,South Florida Folk Festival,Gamble Rogers Festival.
The Sandy Back Porch band hits the floor running with hard driving bluegrass at lightning speed offering people-pleasing, toe tapping performances. They will bring a smile to your face with their hotter-than-fire, time-honored bluegrass standards played the way they are supposed to be played.
The Singing Hinnies
Named after a traditional Irish griddle cake, The Singing Hinnies are definitely sweet and will "sing and sizzle" when performing traditional and contemporary Irish music. Blending guitar, whistle and fiddle, these local artists (of MT Pawketts origin) share a love of things Irish and offer classic jigs and reels as well as rowdy drinking and rebel songs.
The Smithsons
The Smithsons (Paul and Laura) are a father-daughter duo performing a variety of folkcountry influenced tunes, both covers and originals, focusing on both harmonies and story.
The Three Strings
The Three Strings are a string trio comprised of siblings who love playing music together. Last summer they had the unique opportunity to attend the Fine Arts Summer Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. At this camp they were able to play on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Phebe is 15 years old and has been playing the cello for 6 years. She has played with two area youth orchestras for 5 and a half years. She has won several awards for her playing, most recently winning first place in a statewide competition. Phebe enjoys playing for any audience, but her favorite is playing for the residents at SIM, a local assisted living facility. She plans to pursue a college degree in music and education. Catherine is 14 years old, and can be credited with being the person who “started it all.” At the age of 4 she decided she wanted to play the violin. By age 6 she was taking lessons, and hasn’t looked back. Catherine plays with 2 area youth orchestras and occasionally competes in music competitions. Her last attempt earned her a 1st place at a statewide competition. Catherine hopes to attend Southeastern University to study music. Edward is 12 years old. He has played the viola for 3 years. Prior to playing the viola he played ukulele, and banjo. As a member of the Young Artist String Orchestra, he has had the opportunity to perform at multiple venues around Highlands and Okeechobee counties. Edward also competed in a statewide competition, earning a first place his first year! Edward is contemplating attending college to study business, but plans to play viola through college as well.
Tom Edwards is a singer/songwriter from Callahan, Florida. His musical roots go back to the R&B he learned to play on his first guitar but, his songwriting is influenced by all the music he's played over the years including country, rock and roll and even some bluegrass. Tom refers to his original music as "story songs" and his love for his native state, Florida has been his primary topic of late. He has been a regular performer over the past few years at the Barberville Festivals and most recently, he has teamed up with Larry Mangum at the Will McLean and Fla Folk Festivals.
TOO MANY SMITHS has been performing at all the major Florida folk festivals and venues for over a decade doing unique arrangements of seldom heard singer/songwriters songs by such artists like Gillian Welsh, Kim Richey, Tony Price and many others. Glenn and Linda Smith's vocals an guitarwork endears them to their audiences. And every set will be completely different so see them often!
Uncle Eddie and Robin, “Not Your Typical Old Folkies”, are a dynamic and eclectic musical duet with a flair for the old and a taste for the new. Their energy belies their age, and the breadth of their life experience makes for a rich and rewarding musical evening. This husband-wife team combines guitar, banjo, and their voices in stunning, tight harmonies on songs that pack a punch. Their musical chemistry, personality and sound is unmistakable. They are recent transplants to the Florida music scene, hailing from West Virginia, and have performed for decades in the midwest. Imagine: a bluegrass banjo player, and the daughter of a legendary jazz musician- it’s unthinkable? Or is it???
Well Worn Soles is an acoustic country/folk duo based out of Homosassa, Fla. The duo is comprised of singer/songwriter and instrumentalist, Emerson Wells-Barrett, and vocalist/fiddler, Chelsea Wells-Barrett. Accompanying themselves on a variety of instruments (guitars, fiddle, mandolin), their gifts of natural musicality are instantly apparent. The music references vintage roots, the lyrics speak to age-old themes, but the language Wells-Barrett uses in his writing is determinedly unusual, yet quickly endears itself to the listener. Young folks; old souls. Meet Well Worn Soles.
Work Release Program
This lively trio performs traditional songs from the era of The Kingston Trio, Tom Paxton and Gordon Lightfoot along with the contemporary music of Chris Smither and Guy Clark. They include many original songs they write themselves. Joel’s driving rhythm and versatile fingerstyle on the 12-string Martin Guitar adds to their rich sound as Dan picks out the melody to one of his songs about Florida’s wildlife. Margie adds a harmony vocal or an occasional clear soprano lead along with some soft percussion, a little storytelling or a bit of Irish verse delivered with flair! They have performed throughout Florida at many festivals. Sing-a-longs are heartily encouraged!