Weekend Performances
A Weekend of Entertainment, Participation and Exhibits
Along the banks of the historic Suwannee River in White Springs, Florida, folk artists have gathered to celebrate Florida’s land, people, and diverse cultural heritage. Since its humble beginning in 1953, the Florida Folk Festival has not only grown to become Florida’s most prestigious affair, but also named “Florida’s Best Cultural Event.” In 2011, the festival was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society with the honor of being a “Top 20 Event” in the southeastern United States.
The Florida Folk Festival proudly presents these featured and special guest performers for 2013.
Jim Stafford - Saturday Evening
Winter Haven native, Jim Stafford is a comedian, singer, songwriter, and entertainer extraordinaire. He wrote and recorded his first chart making song, "The Swamp Witch," produced by his boyhood friend Kent LaVoie a/k/a Lobo in 1974. He followed with a gold single, "Spiders and Snakes," which stayed on the American pop charts for 26 weeks. The hits just kept coming and included "My Girl Bill," "Wildwood Weed," and the wonderfully satirical "Cow Patti," written for ...the Clint Eastwood movie, Any Which Way You Can, in which Jim appeared.
For over 20 years the Jim Stafford Show is always named a favorite by audiences and critics alike. The singer, songwriter, comic genius, and entertainer extraordinaire is self-taught on guitar, fiddle, piano, banjo, organ, harmonica and the human brain--he might bring any of them into play at any moment. 417 Magazine, the Springfield News Leader and the Branson Entertainment Awards have voted Jim Best Entertainer, Best Personality and Best Comedy Show. Mayflower Tours has named Jim's Show as one of their top ten suppliers in North America.
Jim wrote many of the songs for which he is famous and has brought his unmatchable style to several movie soundtracks. He received a gold record for his work in the Disney movie The Fox and The Hound and writes for many other popular artists.
Jim launched his television career with The Jim Stafford Show on ABC in 1975. His numerous television appearances included music specials, variety shows, and talk shows. He co-hosted the popular prime-time show Those Amazing Animals with Burgess Meredith and Pricilla Presley. Jim also hosted 56 episodes of Nashville on the Road and made 26 appearances on the Tonight Show. In 1987 & 1988, Jim was a regular performer and head write/producer for the Emmy-nominated Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Jim's first love has always been live performance.
During his show Jim combines hysterical comedy with masterful performances on the classical guitar as well as with heart-warming stories of the human spirit. Critically acclaimed as the "Victor Borge of the Guitar", Jim creates hilarious antics from everyday life taking laughter to a new art form.
The Bellamy Brothers - Sunday Evening
Howard and David Bellamy continue to prove that the trail they've ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself --music that is now celebrating 30 years of success.
The road that started on the pop music charts in the '70's, took a winding turn into country music in the '80's, paving the way for other duos to come, such as Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich, and The Judds. Before the road forked into country, the musical odyssey of brothers Bellamy started smoldering in their home state of Florida, before finally exploding nationally amidst the '70's pop music culture of L.A.
The brothers first official gig was in 1968, playing a free show with their father at the Rattlesnake Roundup in San Antonio, Florida. They honed their early skills playing clubs throughout the south, and singing backup for artists such as Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, and Little Anthony & The Imperials. Within a few months, the brothers moved north, immersing themselves and their rock/country sound in the Atlanta market, where the Allman Brothers were the emerging kings of the music world.
Songwriting had become David Bellamy's drug of choice during the long road gigs he and Howard were regularly pulling bodies and equipment to and from. It was his songwriting that was poised to soon provide the duo a national breakout.
The break came in the form of the hit, "Spiders & Snakes," written by David and recorded by Jim Stafford. The song became a smash, eventually selling more than three million units worldwide. It became the catapult that rocketed the brother onto the L.A. music scene. Young and impressionable, Howard and David fell into the musical circle of the greats of the day: Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Van Morrison, as well as West Coast based country rockers like Poco and the Byrds.
Along the way, Howard and David created a patent on the newly cool "duo" category in country music. In the era of the 2000's, The Bellamy Brothers hold the record in both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association Awards (CMA) for the most duo nominations. Numerous Grammy nods have also been directed toward the brothers.
On the infrequent days off the road, Howard and David head the bus back to their 150-acre family ranch in Darby, Florida just north of Tampa. A working ranch, the spread consists of Purebred Charlois cattle and quarter horses. Amid a land lush with fruit trees, ancient oaks and crepe myrtles, three generation of the Bellamy family, headed by David and Howard's mother, Frances, populate the homes clustered in the family compound.
Ben Prestage - Saturday evening
Festival audiences better hold onto their seats and prepare to enjoy a mesmerizing and stunning performance when the award winning, multi-talented one-man-band maestro, Ben Prestage, takes the stage.
Born the grandson of a Mississippi sharecropper, Ben Prestage has been soaked in Blues tradition and Mississippi culture since birth. Growing up in the swamps of south central Florida, Prestage began to mix Mississippi Country Blues with his own brand of Florida Swamp Blues. This muddy- water- meets- black- water stew has led him to perform from California to the Carolinas to the Florida Keys, in large festivals, every kind of bar, and sometimes on downtown sidewalks.
Prestage spent some time as a street performer on historic Beale Street, while living in Memphis, TN. He used to share a spot in front of the New Daisy Theatre with modern blues legends Robert Belfour (Fat Possum Records) and Richard Johnston (2001 International Blues Competition winner). He has won numerous awards including "The Most Unique Performer" and he is the only two-time recipient of the Lyon/Pitchford Award for "Best Diddley-Bow Player." Ben is also a 2012 nominee for both the Independent Music Awards and the Blues Music Awards.
Being a street musician in the "Blues capital of the South" threw Prestage's music in a new direction. His innovative approach to instrumentation, songwriting, and singing, all painted on a traditional historic background produces a vivid picture of the next generation of Blues and Americana music.
To his show, he added a cigar box guitar (made by Memphian and one-man-band John Lowe), which has stereo guitar, and bass strings that can be played independently or at the same time. Then Ben added a series of four-foot pedals that can be manipulated by the heels and toes of both feet to play a drum kit. The final result is Ben playing guitar, bass, and drums while singing his own brand of Blues that leaves bottles empty and dance floors full where ever his music takes him.
Frank Thomas - Sunday Evening
Born and raised in rustic Clay County, Florida songwriter Frank Thomas has native Florida lineage dating back to the late 18th century. Few other songwriters can claim such a strong Florida heritage and sharing his love of Florida is the inspirational thread woven throughout his music and storytelling. He has been given many titles including the Dean of Florida Folk (for the many song-writing assignments he has given over the years), The Grand Old Man of Florida Folk, and is considered one of the most prolific songwriters in Florida.
In the 60s, Thomas toured nationally with several well-known bluegrass groups, most notably the legendary Arkansas Travelers. Thomas and beloved wife Ann settled into the "Cracker Palace," a Florida style home down Rattlesnake Hammock Road on the ridge just outside of Lake Wales. From there, Frank and Ann Thomas became the most well known duo in Florida music. Ann's big daddy thumping bass, deep rooted harmony singing and humorous jabs at her husband helped make them one of Florida's most popular acts. Frank and Ann Thomas traveled Florida, performing their unique music at schools, festivals, music and folk clubs, on television, and on concert stages. During the 80s, they produced and hosted the first Florida folk music radio show, weekly, on Tampa's WMNF. Their video "Florida History in Song," won the Florida Historical Societies coveted Golden Quill Award. Other awards received include the prestigious Florida Folk Heritage Award, The Inaugural Jillian Prescott History Award and The Stetson Kennedy Foundation Fellow -Man & Mother Earth Award. Frank was recently honored and inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame -- Florida's most prestigious recognition!
Since Ann's death in 2004, Frank has continued his art as the patriarch of Florida folk music and is still a prolific songwriter: his catalogue numbers more than 500 songs -- all about Florida! A portion of them can be found on his nine albums, including Cracker Nights, Florida Stories, Bingo, Spanish Gold, and Just another Day in the Life of a Florida Cracker. For many years, Frank has hosted the River Gazebo stage at the Florida Folk Festival, where he personally welcomes and presents the state's best singer/ songwriters, reviews their work, gives out songwriting assignments and lots of praise.
While his accomplishments are certainly legendary, humble Frank Thomas will describe himself in one of his favorite cracker phrases: "I ain't nothin' extry."
Ed Cotton - Friday Evening
In his 27 years as a professional musician, Ed Cotton has honed his craft first as a street performer, then as leader of the successful Swing combo, Pretty Boy Freud, which appeared at numerous blues and jazz festivals, opening for performers like Harry Connick Jr., Robin Nolan Trio, Count Basie Orchestra and Diamond Rio. Ed has also been the featured speaker and performer on the subject of Blues and Jazz history at Performing Arts Schools, universities and symposiums. Folio and Jacksonville Magazines have recognized him as North Florida's Best Performer 7 times.
Ed retired from fulltime performance in 2005 to pursue a career in education and to focus on his songwriting. On rare occasions, like the Florida Folk Festival and Springin' the Blues, he performs as a soloist or leads an acoustic American trio, The Smashed Ramblers who play pre-WWII Blues and Jazz, as well as original songs rooted in Country, Cajun, and Western Swing. He is well known for his finger style and bottleneck guitar, harmonica and has been called North Florida's most versatile guitarist. His original compositions show his deep southern roots and eclecticism. He is a regular guest instrumentalist with numerous groups on guitar, bass, mandolin, dobro and ukele. His performances are laced with off beat humor and rock solid rhythm.
His latest project, Full Gospel Happy Hour, a collaborative trio with Oklahoma songwriter/producer Kelly Raines and Jacksonville native, Aaron Winters, created a sensation at the 2013 George's Music Springing The Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach.
Bing Futch - Friday evening
With roots in both African and Seminole Indian tribes, Bing Futch's window to America is a unique landscape of music, words and imagery. He began playing Appalachian mountain dulcimer at Knott's Berry Farm theme park in 1986, working at a Ghost Town shop for Bud & Donna Ford. That same year, Futch founded techno-punk band Crazed Bunnyz, a trio that grew popular in the international underground college radio scene and has remained a fan favorite long after disbanding in 1988. Since then, he has enjoyed a diverse and prolific solo career, composing dozens of scores for film, theater, themed attractions and television. In 1994, he wrote and recorded music for The Castle of Miracles in Kississimmee, Florida. In 1999, Futch formed American band Mohave, featuring the mountain dulcimer as the main instrument. The group has performed at the House of Blues in Walt Disney World, Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios Florida and has opened for Molly Hatchet, among other acts. He is the grandson of the late boxing hall-of-famer Eddie Futch. As a solo performer, Bings high-energy, crowd pleasing shows and unique approach to the mountain dulcimer combined have made him a much-sought national act from California to Connecticut. Named 2006 "Songwriter of the Year" by the Songwriters Showcases of America (with a 2007 "Song of the Year" award for "Crazy Feels Like"), Bing has become a regularly featured artist at festivals, house concerts, Irish and British pubs and other venues across the country. He's opened for Grammy-award nominated artists Sam & Ruby, bluesman Scott Ainslie, singer/songwriter Larry Mangum, shared the stage with Zydeco king Chubby Carrier, Tom Constanten (The Grateful Dead), national fingerstyle guitar champion Michael Chapdelaine, produced numerous recordings and has published several songbooks. Alongside his performing career, Bing has become a popular instructor of the mountain dulcimer and Native American flute and his video podcast, "Dulcimerica," has been seen and downloaded by over half a million unique viewers.
Jubal's Kin - Friday evening
The distinctively spare sound of Jubal's Kin is grounded in a love for what can only be called the pure and real, at once embracing both a strong roots tradition and fresh indie folk - "Appalachia-infused Cosmic Americana." At live shows or in the studio, a seemingly new subgenre is created, their songs displaying raw emotion vulnerable and unassuming with handcrafted spins that creak and stomp like a wooden dance floor...
The chemistry of this family trio's (Gaillanne, Roger and Jeffrey Amundsen) live shows have really become their calling card and, drawn by the honesty of their songs, fans at shows and festivals alike connect to the music - real music - that bares its soul like the brothers and sister on stage. Sometimes adding the lush accompaniment of pedal steel and drums on stage, they'll often tour simply as a trio - deftly pairing subtle folk with all the guts of old-timey flair.
Their self-titled debut record was recorded and co-produced by Erick Jaskowiak at Compass Studios in Nashville. Jaskowiak has worked with some of the most talented progressive groups in acoustic music and otherwise, including Crooked Still, Alison Krauss, and with artists on the Cold Mountain soundtrack. Joined by upright bass virtuoso Byron House (Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris) and guest banjoist Luke Richardson, the album was officially released on April 14, 2010. Since then, their extensive touring and live chemistry has led them to festivals and stages of all shapes and sizes, and to share stages with the likes of groups du jour such as Crooked Still, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Hoots & Hellmouth and Over the Rhine.
The album as also brought some critical acclaim and, early in 2011, was short listed for the GRAMMY Awards and had nominations in the Independent Music Awards (Americana Album + Album Design), winning the Album Design category. Plans for the group are now spiraling towards a second album and an ever-relentless and fun-loving touring schedule.
Passerine - Saturday evening
Passerine's distinctive sound is built around three and four part vocal harmonies, backed by the crisp rhythms of acoustic guitars, lively exchanges between fiddle and dobro, and an acoustic bass that builds on a solid foundation with occasional flights of fancy.
With this unusual arrangement of voices and instruments, Passerine offers a fresh take on traditional folk and bluegrass music as well as a repertoire of original songs that range from sweet ballads to the edgier side of contemporary Americana. Passerine was formed in 2009 as an opportunity to explore a variety of traditional and contemporary acoustic music, and because Carmela Pedicini and Tanya Radtke love to sing together. Apart, they have distinctive and powerful voices. Carmela and Tanya have both established reputations as singer/songwriters, each building a substantial following. Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters released their CD, "Americana Tourister," in 2007. Tanya Radtke released her solo CD, "Begin," in 2008. Together, their harmonies have been described as "magical."
As Passerine, they were joined by David Brain, whose dobro became a key piece of Passerine's distinctive sound. Passerine's harmonies became even more inventive and compelling with the addition of Sara Moone in 2011. On the violin, she combines classical training with her western Kentucky roots to achieve great versatility across musical genres from punk and psychedelic rock to Passerine's version of Americana. David Baker also comes with classical training and a background in jazz and rock, enabling him to provide a solid foundation with his tasteful and creative approach to the bass. With their unusual combination of tastes and talents, Passerine strives for an acoustic sound that is honest and compelling, exploring the contemporary edge of traditional folk music, and adding engaging musical layers to even the simplest of songs.
Moors & McCumber -- Friday evening
James Moors and Kort McCumber are an acoustic duo that crafts beautiful story songs that walk the line between rootsy folk and melodic pop. The two songwriters met at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival in 2005. Sitting around a campfire swapping songs, they each heard something in the music of the other that just fit. The two have been performing and writing together ever since. Having collectively sold more than 15,000 copies of independent releases from the stage, the duo has now released two of their own full-length albums.
Based in Superior, Wisconsin, James Moors is heralded by Steve Morse, longtime Boston Globe writer, as "Sharing some of the same melodic gifts of Neil Finn, enhanced by a warm-hearted spirit that makes you want to hear more." Born and raised in Minneapolis, he grew up with the music of The Replacements, Soul Asylum and Prince but today draws inspiration from troubadours like Ron Sexsmith and Eliza Gilkyson. An official recipient of the prestigious McKnight Foundation Emerging Artist Grant, his songwriting has been recognized three years in a row by the Big Top Chautauqua competition.
A talented multi-instrumentalist, Florida native and Colorado based Kort McCumber plays a variety of instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, piano) in his own brand of Americana that is one part rock and blues, two parts country bluegrass and all parts McCumber. But it is his songwriting abilities that have made him a Colorado favorite and garnered him national and international recognition. He won last year's Flat Rock Festival Songwriting Competition in North Carolina and was a finalist in this year's International Songwriting Competition.
Although successful solo songwriters, Moors & McCumber discovered that their music together is more than the sum of the parts. Embracing a bigger sound than most duos, they switch up instruments on almost every song (playing guitar, mandolin, piano, bouzouki, fiddle, harmonica, cello, 12-string guitar and Dobro), creating catchy melodies that are big, bright and electrifying to watch live.
Doug Gauss - Sunday evening
Doug Gauss has performed at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs for nearly 40 years. His first performance was at the age of nine in 1959 when he played cornet accompanying Greek ethnic dancers from his native Tarpon Springs. The son of a fundamentalist preacher, Doug was only allowed to have a guitar after promising that he'd never play in a bar - a promise that he never has broken.
Florida Artists Hall Of Fame member Will McLean, with whom Doug had a close personal relationship from 1967 until his death in 1990, gave Doug his written permission to use any of his works "...as you see fit." Doug also enjoyed close relationships with Florida folk legends Gamble Rogers and Don Grooms and was the guitarist on several of newly inducted Florida Artists Hall of Fame member Frank Thomas's albums.
Doug's repertoire includes the works of the best of contemporary Florida songwriters with their expressed blessings, as well as vintage songs of Florida from his vast collection of sheet music ranging as early as 1840 thru the 1920's. Doug plays several folk instruments, banjo, mandolin, and hammered dulcimer but is most widely known for his unique style of finger picked guitar, which Gamble Rogers likened to "an enchanted music box."
The Currys - Saturday evening
The Currys is an acoustic folk trio, born and bred in the Florida panhandle. Incorporating elements of country, bluegrass, blues and rock, their music showcases thoughtful songwriting, unassuming instrumentation and mellifluous vocal harmonies. These talented, Port St. Joe natives (Galen, Tommy and Jimmy) were invited to last year's Florida Folk Festival to perform with Billy Dean and to accompany Billy's talented daughter, Hannah. The Currys then traveled to Ireland for a month performing shows. They are extremely happy to be back this year at the Florida Folk Festival.
Rachel Carrick - Saturday evening
This young singer songwriter from St. Augustine began learning to play the guitar from her father, Jim Carrick, a talented singer songwriter in his own right at the age of sevent. Three-year-old Rachel Carrick yearned to sing so much that she'd run into her front yard, stand on a coquina rock, open her arms wide and belt out a song from "The Sound of Music" for the neighborhood's entertainment. "I was always singing," Rachel said.
"I always wanted to be a musician and to perform. I picked up my first guitar when I was seven. Well, actually, it might have been a lot earlier than that since my dad has always had guitars around. But, when I was seven I started doing more than just making a bunch of noise, and making everyone's ears hurt so they'd take it away from me. My dad taught me my first few chords, and then I was off and running."
She has finished recording a moving ballad she calls "Home," inspired by TV reports about the hundreds of tornadoes that killed 317 people in Alabama in 2012. Rachel was so moved by the catastrophic tornados that devastated the southeast that she created a video to help raise money for The American Red Cross. "The storms have put those victims in a terrible place. I'd really like to help them, either by giving them a song to relate to or by raising donations for the Red Cross for their needs," she said. Any success Rachel may find in the music business certainly comes from hard work, guitar practice and natural talent.
Another of Rachel's genetic connections, other than her father Jim, comes from Rachel's grandmother, Marianne Horner of East Palatka, a singer who performed on the radio in Finland. Jim Carrick said his daughter never has to be prodded to sing or play. "She opened up about a year ago," he said. "Now you can't stop her. The more I leave her alone, the more productive she is."
"It isn't folk, rock, traditional or country. It's all over the place," she said about her music. "Some people consider it country. I'll figure it out. Music is in my brain."
Mindy Simmons & the Hot Pockets - Friday evening
Mindy Simmons, Lisa Bohn & Annie Murphy strike a wonderful blend of harmony, with songs and music, that is guaranteed to lift your spirit and cause your fingers to snap and your toes to tap. The response to this musical trio is always fun, fun and more fun! Awesomely blended three-part harmonies and fun filled camaraderie!
Mindy Simmons is a consummate performer. She brings a polished, professional show to festival stages, concert halls and other performances venues. Her quick wit and warm approach charms audiences and puts them in a relaxed frame of mind to sit back and be entertained.
Montine Humphries and Southern Kin - Sunday evening
Montine Humphries was born and raised in
Southern Kin, includes many members of the extended “Glenn” family. Montine’s oldest brother,
Montine loves to sing. She has been singing since she was old enough to talk, often entertaining family from the hearth in the living room. She first performed on stage at the age of five where she performed a Shirley Temple song, “Animal Crackers In My Soup”. She enjoys singing a wide variety of music. In the past year, she has performed at the Olustee Festival, the Wild Azalea Festival, and the MADD Festival.
Montine takes great pride in her traditional southern family heritage which honors her faith and love for family. Some of her fondest memories are enjoying Sunday dinner, every Sunday, after church at her grandparent’s home in
SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE
Billy Dean - Sunday afternoon
Festival favorite, Billy Dean, a native of Quincy, Florida, was raised appreciating the value of music and has a diverse array of musical influences. After attending college on a basketball scholarship, Billy moved to Nashville in 1983 and by 1990 had recorded his first Top 5 Hit "Only Here For A Little While." Since then, Billy has transcended genres with his unique repertoire earning numerous awards, including: The Academy of Country Music's Song of the Year for "Somewhere In My Broken Heart", ACM New Male Vocalist of The Year, BMI Pop Awards, BMI Song Awards, BMI Million Air Plays Award, Country Music Television Rising Star Award, NSAI Song of The Year, and a Grammy for a "Country Tribute: Amazing Grace."
Billy's appeal reaches beyond the music world. He has appeared on numerous television shows as well as made-for TV movies, including: Blue Valley Songbird, A Face to Kill For, Lois & Clark, One Life to Live, Diagnosis Murder, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, The Montel Show, and many others.
After twelve albums and eleven Top 10 singles spanning over a period of eighteen years, Billy has founded the publishing company BDMG (Billy Dean Music Group). Billy continues to make contributions to the Country Music world by building brands with music and empowering children, by being a spokesperson for Averitt Cares For Kids, and Sunkist's Take A Stand Program.
His latest album "Let Them Be Little" was inspired by those closest to him, his two children Hannah and Eli. Billy's illustrious career was recently recognized with a proclamation from the State of Tennessee House of Representatives.
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